| 16001 |
Swollen |
enlarged; puffed up |
Putting ice on her swollen ankle, the woman hoped the pack would help the swelling go down. |
| 16002 |
Regard |
to hold (a person or thing) in respect or admiration |
Although I don’t always show it, I regard my mother-in-law as a woman of wisdom. |
| 16003 |
Prejudice |
hatred directed at a particular culture or group or at a specific individual |
Jane’s prejudice led her to dislike Mary simply because of the color of her skin. |
| 16004 |
Twinkling |
shining with a light that goes from bright to less bright |
The twinkling of the north star was bright enough to guide the escaped slaves to freedom. |
| 16005 |
Disqualify |
to make someone ineligible for something (such as a prize) because of an offense |
When they found the runner had used illegal drugs, the committee members decided to disqualify him from the race. |
| 16006 |
Vanguard |
the leading force; the head of something |
Because Steve Jobs thought he could change the world of computers, he became the vanguard who did. |
| 16007 |
Pro |
a professional, especially in sports |
A pro player for over twenty years, Tiger Woods is still a golf maven and continues to excel at the sport. |
| 16008 |
Petrify |
to scare someone into inaction |
Because heights petrify me, I will never get on a plane. |
| 16009 |
Inestimable |
to such an extent the worth can’t be properly valued |
It’s impossible to define the inestimable role police officers play in keeping society safe. |
| 16010 |
Poetic |
relating to poetry |
Taking poetry classes in college will open up the students mind to eventually write poetic songs, a passion for many. |
| 16011 |
Life of the party |
a lively person who is the center of attention in social situations |
The life of the party, Percy, spent Friday night dancing on the bar and leading the crowd in drunken songs. |
| 16012 |
Viscosity |
the thickness of a liquid or its resistance to movement |
The syrup flows slowly from the bottle because of its viscosity. |
| 16013 |
Silt |
fine deposits of silt or clay that are carried by moving water or wind and settle at the bottom of a river |
Larger than clay but smaller than sand, pieces of silt are moved by the fast-moving Mississippi and settle at the bottom of its river banks. |
| 16014 |
Constitute |
to be a part of a whole |
The people of China constitute a large part of the entire world’s population. |
| 16015 |
Ersatz |
replicated from something else yet lacking the original qualities |
Do you believe the ersatz beach created by the city will appeal to those who love the natural features of the seashore? |
| 16016 |
Outburst |
a quick discharge of someone’s feelings |
The man’s outburst of profanity startled everyone as they noticed his reddened face. |
| 16017 |
Sadness |
being filled with sorrow or grief |
None of the social worker’s college courses could prepare her for the deep sadness and grief experienced by the children being removed from their homes. |
| 16018 |
Caring |
kind and thoughtful |
The caring boy helped the elderly woman cross the road in the rain even though he didn’t have a raincoat on. |
| 16019 |
Intermediate |
being between two extremes, or in the middle of a range |
Due to my advanced knowledge of the subject matter, I was permitted to skip the beginners course and start at the intermediate level. |
| 16020 |
Courier |
an individual who delivers packages or messages |
The courier should have the package to you within an hour. |
| 16021 |
Calculation |
an estimate or amount determined by using mathematical processes |
Before releasing the financial statement, the analyst checked each calculation to make sure it was correct. |
| 16022 |
Availability |
having the time or means supplies to do something |
The secretary informed the caller of her boss’s availability to meet that week. |
| 16023 |
Connote |
to imply something in addition to what is apparent |
At work, we connote the employee of the month award with being the best worker on the team. |
| 16024 |
Ending |
the final part (end) of something |
Although the Titanic was a good film, I was a little disappointed that Jack died during the ending. |
| 16025 |
Moil |
to work hard |
As they continued to moil in the field, the slaves became exhausted from the amount of work expected of them. |
| 16026 |
Damnable |
extremely terrible; horrible |
A damnable place to live, trying to survive in the scorching-hot desert was a horrible experience. |
| 16027 |
Fractious |
hard to manage or control |
The inexperienced teacher found the fractious students difficult to control. |
| 16028 |
Impassible |
impossible to travel along or over |
The deep canyon is impassible except by donkey since it is impossible to travel along the path by car. |
| 16029 |
Alternative |
alternative means another possibility that is available |
As an alternative to expulsion, the mischievous student opted to attend in-school suspension. |
| 16030 |
Clue |
information that may lead one to a certain point or conclusion |
The detective looked around the house, searching for a clue to the whereabouts of a missing person. |
| 16031 |
Verisimilar |
seemingly truthful or likely |
After talking to the witness, the police officer thought her story was verisimilar but would have to confirm it with hard evidence. |
| 16032 |
Circumnavigate |
to travel entirely around something |
In order to get into the police station, we must first circumnavigate the crowd of protestors. |
| 16033 |
Statute |
a law passed by a formal body such as a legislature |
The statute prohibits businesses from selling alcohol to minors. |
| 16034 |
Fluid situation |
conditions that are unpredictable and highly likely to change |
The zone is still considered a fluid situation since bombings happen daily and the environment is unstable. |
| 16035 |
Fact |
a truthful statement |
My mother hid the fact that my dad was not my real father for more than forty years. |
| 16036 |
Perceptive |
very aware and sensitive to events around them |
As the experienced shoplifter swiped a necklace from the open case in the jewelry store, the perceptive owner of the store realized what he did. |
| 16037 |
Unload |
to unpack or drop off |
Movers helped me unload my furniture and even aided me in putting the beds back together. |
| 16038 |
Improved |
made or became better; enhanced |
After receiving lots of medication, the patient’s health improved, and she was released from the hospital. |
| 16039 |
Inanition |
the condition of being or having a void of food or water in the body |
Due to the inanition of her stomach, the plane crash victim died of starvation since her body had used every morsel to nourish it. |
| 16040 |
Jet-set |
to travel around the world enjoying yourself |
After hitting the lottery for several million dollars, the couple bought a private plane and began to jet-set from country to country. |
| 16041 |
Giving |
kindly generous and willing to share with others |
A giving person by nature, Geneva buys nice gifts for all of her family members on their birthdays. |
| 16042 |
Mirth |
amusement and joy |
The teacher tried to hide her mirth when she learned her worst student had been suspended for seven days. |
| 16043 |
Compendious |
something that has been explained in a concise or brief way |
The small book included a short and compendious overview of the history of Feudal Japan. |
| 16044 |
Christianity |
the religion that uses the Bible as its scared book and is based on the person and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth |
Although they are both monotheistic religions, few view Christianity as a cult religion like they do Islam. |
| 16045 |
Fudge |
to cheat or lie through exaggeration |
Because she wanted to get into the club, the seventeen-year-old decided to fudge and said she was eighteen. |
| 16046 |
Corrective |
a thing that is designed to correct or restore something else |
Because my eyesight is so terrible, I have to wear corrective lenses to improve vision. |
| 16047 |
Tragic |
extremely sad, often involving death and suffering |
Emmett Till’s tragic murder was one of the saddest events in our country’s history. |
| 16048 |
Study |
to review and examine information usually for school |
“I can’t go to the movies with you,” Francis told her best friends, “since I have to study for a history test that I have tomorrow.” |
| 16049 |
Shapeshifter |
a person or being that can change their body’s form at will |
Dracula, a brilliant shapeshifter, is best known for changing into a bat but he can also turn into fog. |
| 16050 |
Embark |
to begin anew |
Tomorrow Grant will start college and embark upon a new phase in his life. |
| 16051 |
Wham |
a strike of great force |
The angry wife slammed the door behind her with a satisfying wham. |
| 16052 |
Cold |
a state of being in which one feels adversely affected by temperatures below a certain level of comfort |
Needless to say I felt rather cold when I stepped outside into the snow to grab the newspaper without anything other than my pajamas on. |
| 16053 |
Snub |
the ignoring or brushing off of someone |
The waitress insisted that her lack of attentiveness to the table wasn’t a snub, but an accidental oversight. |
| 16054 |
Accentuation |
the action of emphasizing something or making it more noticeable |
People from the southern US are known for the accentuation of certain vowels since they stretch them out longer than most people do. |
| 16055 |
Decadence |
state of moral or artistic decline or deterioration |
Although there has been an increase in violent crimes by teenagers, this is not necessarily a sign of decadence of the younger generation. |
| 16056 |
Valorous |
brave |
In many fairy tales, knights are valorous warriors who enter into not battle with nothing but bravery and a sharp sword. |
| 16057 |
Deep |
extending far down from the surface |
The ocean is so deep that huge boats have been able to sink to the bottom, never to be seen again. |
| 16058 |
Weightlifting |
a sport or activity in which one lifts heavy weights or barbells |
Because he enjoys weightlifting, the bodybuilder spends a majority of his gym time lifting heavy barbells while doing squats. |
| 16059 |
Condone |
to accept and allow |
We will not condone disorderly conduct at church. |
| 16060 |
Shiver |
to shake or tremble slightly as a result of being cold, sick, or afraid |
The sight of the ghostly figure at the top of the stairs made me shiver with fright. |
| 16061 |
Submersible |
to be able to function completely underwater |
Since the submersible treadmill was located right below the waterline of the family pool, Sarah could run in her pool. |
| 16062 |
Hoard |
to stockpile or store things excessively |
Because he was starved when he was little, the abused child tries to hoard secret piles of food in his bedroom. |
| 16063 |
Sultan |
a Muslim ruler |
While the leader was obsessed by terror of assassination, the sultan withdrew himself into seclusion. |
| 16064 |
Naked |
without clothes; uncovered |
The naked baby was clothed with a diaper and gown before being given to his parents. |
| 16065 |
Oration |
a ceremonial speech that is formal |
Although the pope’s oration lasted for only fifteen minutes, it left many in the audience in tears. |
| 16066 |
Banal |
boring because it contains nothing new and lacks originality |
Because the movie’s plot was banal, we knew exactly how the film would end. |
| 16067 |
Tenacious |
not readily letting go of or giving up |
Even though Jackson was smaller than his other teammates, his tenacious attitude allowed him to accomplish as much as they did. |
| 16068 |
Demote |
to lower the rank or position of something |
Once McDonald’s stopped selling their Szechuan sauce, I had no choice but to demote it in my list of fast food joints. |
| 16069 |
Fiesta |
a festival or celebration |
During the country’s anniversary of its independence, the citizens held a fiesta to commemorate the event with a big parade. |
| 16070 |
Stint |
a span of time in which a person is occupied with a particular job or in a particular place |
After a two-year stint as a Peace Corps volunteer, I returned home and became a teacher. |
| 16071 |
Diminutive |
very short or small |
Surrounded by tall skyscrapers, the three-story apartment building looked diminutive. |
| 16072 |
Isolate |
to cause a person, place, or thing to remain alone or separate |
While the girl was sick with the flu, her parents had to isolate the other children into different bedrooms so they wouldn’t fall ill. |
| 16073 |
Anthology |
a collection of writings |
The band’s anthology was set to release in a few days. |
| 16074 |
Phat |
excellent or exceptional |
I have no idea what my Uncle meant when he said that song was phat, but he sounded pleased so I guess he was praising it. |
| 16075 |
Profusion |
being in great abundance |
In the summer, my dog is always covered with a profusion of fleas. |
| 16076 |
Accept |
to agree to take or receive |
Cinderella tried to accept the prince’s invite to the ball, but her stepmother got in the way. |
| 16077 |
Fusillade |
a huge quantity of firings that occur rapidly |
During the police interrogation, I felt as though the detectives attacked me with a fusillade of questions. |
| 16078 |
Disciplinary |
concerned with making sure rules are followed and not broken |
Disciplinary action was taken by the principal after the student refused to listen to the teacher. |
| 16079 |
Grounded |
sensible and balanced mentally and emotionally |
Known for being grounded and level-headed, the businessman rarely lets his emotions affect his decisions. |
| 16080 |
Knighthood |
having the title of a person who served a lord in armored battle |
Knighthood was granted to those who agreed to serve the manor’s lord. |
| 16081 |
Emanate |
to come out from a source |
Hopefully, the fun memories of the weekend will emanate throughout the office and give all the employees a positive outlook this week. |
| 16082 |
Sentinel |
one whose job is to keep watch and protect |
The armed sentinel stood outside of the meeting room to make sure no one interrupted the two world leaders. |
| 16083 |
Decode |
to convert from an encrypted form to ordinary language |
The colonel wanted Schonberger to learn how to decode military letters for communication purposes. |
| 16084 |
Risky |
full of danger or potential loss |
It is risky to go sky diving or bungee jumping because the possibility of death still exists if there were to be a malfunction with your equipment. |
| 16085 |
Pomp |
magnificent display with impressive decorations, music, clothing, etc. |
The prom committee focused on blowing everyone away with pomp. |
| 16086 |
Carrell |
a small individual study area in a library |
Sitting alone in the small carrell, the studying student used the quietness of the library to his advantage. |
| 16087 |
Alter ego |
an alternative personality, identity, or mannerism |
Dr. Jekyll’s alter ego is a monster named Mr. Hyde. |
| 16088 |
Conceited |
holding an overblown view of one’s assets |
The conceited man would not stop talking about himself. |
| 16089 |
Prejudicial |
something that can cause a negative result, harm, or prevent success of a project or activity |
Poor reviews of a product on major sites are prejudicial to the overall sale of the item. |
| 16090 |
Discouraged |
having lost confidence or hope |
The two dogs became discouraged from the dog biscuit rolling under the couch. |
| 16091 |
Thalassic |
relating to the sea |
We needed a ship to go on a thalassic adventure, because we definitely couldn’t swim across the sea. |
| 16092 |
Bay |
an inlet by the sea where the land curves inward |
Otis Redding was sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tide roll away. |
| 16093 |
Mutable |
able to be altered |
Because our emotions are mutable, they are subject to change often. |
| 16094 |
Pump |
to force a substance (i.e., liquid, gas) to move in a certain direction by force |
The little boy has just learned to pump gasoline into the car’s tank by squeezing the lever. |
| 16095 |
Espresso |
dark coffee brewed by forcing water through finely ground, roasted coffee beans |
A cup of expresso was just what the coffee junkie needed to get her day started. |
| 16096 |
Rendering |
a work of art or performance that represents something |
The artist’s rendering of the Golden Gate Bridge looked like a mirror image of the actual structure. |
| 16097 |
Referendum |
a public vote on a particular issue |
The employees were asked to vote on a referendum about the company insurance plan. |
| 16098 |
Candor |
the state or quality of being frank, open, and sincere in speech or expression |
Because the realtor was an honest woman, she replied with candor about the damage to the house. |
| 16099 |
Control group |
the group of people in a study or experimentation that do not take the treatment or action |
Research found that the weight loss product worked because the control group maintained their weight whereas the experimental group took the product and lost a lot of weight. |
| 16100 |
Naughty |
to behave poorly |
At Christmas time, Santa will ask children if they have been naughty or nice during the year. |
| 16101 |
Continuous |
going on and on without interruption |
Because of the water leak, a continuous stream sprayed out of the ground for several hours. |
| 16102 |
Promulgate |
to make something recognized or known |
The purpose of the documentary is to promulgate the importance of raising funds for additional cancer research. |
| 16103 |
Plants |
a group of living organisms that have leaves, stems, and roots which needs water and sun to live |
My sister Belinda removed the dead leaves to expose a tiny shoot of a new plant. |
| 16104 |
Sartorial |
relating to clothing, fashion or dressing |
Those with a developed sartorial sense can tell a cheap suit from an expensive one. |
| 16105 |
Molt |
to peel off the outside coat or level of skin, feathers, or fur |
With dead shreds of skin lying around the cage, it was apparent that the lizard did molt his skin. |
| 16106 |
Breakneck |
extremely fast or rapid |
The racecar moved around the track at breakneck speeds, zooming past the other drivers. |
| 16107 |
Perfection |
flawless or unblemished physically, mentally, and spiritually |
Many see models as a symbol of physical perfection, but they have just as many flaws as the average person. |
| 16108 |
Jumpstart |
to start something quickly by providing it with extra help |
To jumpstart his understanding of the math concepts, Felipe hired an algebra guru to tutor him before his classes start. |
| 16109 |
Pother |
a disturbance or commotion |
The police are often called to investigate a pother in rural neighborhoods. |
| 16110 |
Incest |
sexual relations between close relatives |
Most people shunned the film since the racy father and daughter scene was on the border of incest. |
| 16111 |
Transgress |
to act in violation of some law |
People who transgress the boundaries of social etiquette will be politely turned away at the door. |
| 16112 |
Foreword |
introduction; preface |
The author’s foreword was an introduction to his background in sociology. |
| 16113 |
Try |
to attempt an action |
Nellie and her sister tried to fly a kite, but the wind wasn’t strong enough to hold it in the air. |
| 16114 |
Underreporting |
neglecting to completely state or report something |
With the underreporting of sexual assaults on college campuses, many sexual assault predators go free to offend again. |
| 16115 |
Touchstone |
a standard by which something is judged |
I used the essay that I received a perfect score on as a touchstone for the other essays I had to write later, so I could get a high score on them as well. |
| 16116 |
Lend |
to allow someone to borrow something that is to be returned later |
My neighbor agreed to lend me his lawn mower for the afternoon, so I could cut the grass. |
| 16117 |
Mule |
a carrier of things for someone else |
As a mule for the drug cartel, the shady man was paid to carry narcotics into the United States. |
| 16118 |
Dimensional |
related to measurements, especially, width, length, and height |
When designing the dimensional aspects of the building, the engineer made sure to consider both length and height. |
| 16119 |
Concordance |
agreement; accord |
The newest scientific data was in concordance with the last test and also the one before that. |
| 16120 |
Babysitter |
someone that looks after another person’s child while they are away |
Quite frankly, I don’t know how any parent can implicitly trust a stranger they don’t really know anything about to be a babysitter for their child while they’re away from home. |
| 16121 |
Divulgation |
the act of spreading or releasing information |
The government decided that divulgation of their top secret projects and programs would be considered high treason. |
| 16122 |
Buddhism |
a religion based on Gautama Buddha’s teachings that suffering is a part of life but can be ended through spiritual development |
The founder of Buddhism renounced his title as a prince and spent his life developing his spiritual core. |
| 16123 |
Deity |
one viewed as being extremely powerful or having godly powers |
In my religion, we worship only one deity. |
| 16124 |
Flotsam |
objects or individuals that are considered to be of no worth |
According to the old saying, one man’s flotsam is another man’s treasure. |
| 16125 |
Neighborhood |
an area where people live close together |
The single woman became frightened when a prowler was spotted in her neighborhood looking in everyone’s houses. |
| 16126 |
Flabbergasted |
overwhelmed by amazement |
As a single mother on a tight budget, I am flabbergasted by the huge cost of video games. |
| 16127 |
Annotate |
to add notes to a text or diagram in order to provide additional insight and understanding about something |
The student is free to annotate the textbook with notes, as well as to highlight any text that they choose. |
| 16128 |
Epistolary |
associated with written correspondence |
Her epistolary collection of the secret romance contains all the letters the couple exchanged. |
| 16129 |
Quarrel |
a verbal disagreement that is usually noisy |
The quarrel my husband and I had was so loud it woke our children. |
| 16130 |
Deviation |
something that is not normal, or breaks the regular pattern of something |
I decided to entertain a little deviation from my normal routine when I went out to eat instead of making a sandwich for lunch. |
| 16131 |
Rawboned |
lanky or scrawny build or body |
Due to the severe drought and famine, the rawboned cows were merely skin and bones. |
| 16132 |
Occasionally |
from time to time |
Before our relationship turned serious, we began meeting occasionally at a coffee shop that both of us enjoyed. |
| 16133 |
Voter |
a person who casts a vote in an election |
Casting his ballot at the election precinct, the voter was confident in his selection for a new county mayor. |
| 16134 |
Bluster |
to talk in a loud or aggressive way, usually with little effect |
Angry and irritated, father began to bluster about all of the things the children weren’t doing correctly. |
| 16135 |
Corrupt |
to degrade or demolish someone’s or something’s truthfulness and reliability |
Illegal drug use would corrupt the athlete’s career causing people to have no faith in the young man. |
| 16136 |
Dossier |
a dossier is a collection of documents about a particular person, event, or subject |
The dossier on the missing person case was almost empty because next to nothing was known. |
| 16137 |
Lachrymose |
easily brought to tears |
After her husband died, my aunt became a lachrymose woman who couldn’t stop crying. |
| 16138 |
Explored |
searched through; investigated |
The pioneers explored the west in their covered wagons, looking for the perfect place to restart their lives. |
| 16139 |
Stiff |
rigid and unable to be easily bent or shaped |
When she sits down for a long period of time, the elderly woman’s bones become stiff and rigid. |
| 16140 |
Reverence |
honor or respect felt or shown |
Not surprisingly, everyone treated the Pope with a great deal of reverence at the event. |
| 16141 |
Decision |
a choice made after thinking about it and considering options |
Wendy couldn’t make a dinner decision, so her husband ordered pizza. |
| 16142 |
Taoism |
chinese philosophy written by Lao Tzu focused on humility and piety |
Those that follow Taoism rarely brag about their achievements, instead choosing to simply accept praise with modesty. |
| 16143 |
Vatic |
predicting or describing what will happen in the future |
The psychic’s predictions weren’t truly vatic but something that he tells to every customer. |
| 16144 |
Officiate |
to be in charge of leading an event or ceremony |
The bride’s father was flattered when asked to officiate his daughter’s wedding. |
| 16145 |
Harp |
to constantly focus on one thing or issue |
My mother continues to nag and harp on my lack of interest in college. |
| 16146 |
Roguish |
dishonest and deceitful, unprincipled and untrustworthy |
The roguish thief conned an old lady into giving him access to her life savings. |
| 16147 |
Kick off |
to start something |
We will kick off our weekend with a Fourth of July BBQ. |
| 16148 |
Turncoat |
a traitor who sides with the conflicting side |
Benedict Arnold was considered a turncoat because he fought for the Patriots in the American Revolutionary War and then fought for the British. |
| 16149 |
Chortle |
to chuckle or snort in amusement or glee |
As Santa Claus listened to the little boy’s joke, he started to chortle in amusement. |
| 16150 |
Occupant |
someone who lives or is currently in a house or other structure |
Once the occupant realized the apartment building was on fire, she knew it was imperative to leave her possessions behind and exit the building immediately. |
| 16151 |
Rudimentary |
basic; minimal |
You need to have at least a rudimentary understanding of technology before you can upload a video on that website. |
| 16152 |
Vaporize |
convert or be converted into vapor |
If you boil water on the stove too long, it will vaporize and cook until the pan is completely empty. |
| 16153 |
Candlelight |
dim light provided by burning candles |
After the electricity went out during the storm, the family was forced to eat their dinner by low-burning candlelight. |
| 16154 |
Icon |
a person who is very famous or popular |
Michael Jackson was a global icon, known around the world for his music and performing abilities. |
| 16155 |
Session |
a period of time designated for a specific purpose |
During the brief session, the committee members voted to increase funding for infrastructure. |
| 16156 |
Siren |
an object that makes a loud noise as a warning |
A wailing siren and news broadcast alerted viewers that a twister had been spotted on a nearby farm. |
| 16157 |
Admit |
to acknowledge that something is real, valid, or true |
It took the woman a long time to admit she has a drinking problem. |
| 16158 |
Enfranchise |
to extend privileges or rights |
One purpose of the immigration bill is to enfranchise citizenship to people who are willing to make a commitment to this country. |
| 16159 |
Manual |
a book or booklet that gives instructions or explains how something works |
My wife’s new vehicle came with a manual that explained all of its features. |
| 16160 |
Euphonic |
nice-sounding |
Her euphonic voice echoed above the rafters as she sang the Star Spangled Banner to the mesmerized crowd. |
| 16161 |
Thorough |
detailed and careful |
A thorough investigation of the crime brought out lots of details but no motive. |
| 16162 |
Petard |
a small bomb that is used to breach a door or wall |
The soldier threw a petard at the entrance and waited for the bomb to blow before rushing inside. |
| 16163 |
Tributary |
a stream of water that enters into a larger body of water |
As it flowed into the river, the tributary provided fresh water for the village. |
| 16164 |
Discipline |
a learned behavior that enables the individual to have control over their actions |
Habitual runners have such strong discipline that they wake up everyday for their jog even when they’re sick or vacationing. |
| 16165 |
Fermentation |
is the process in which a substance breaks down into a simpler substance |
Beer and many other alcoholic beverages are produced through a sugar-breakdown fermentation process. |
| 16166 |
Anticipate |
ready for something to occur |
Since we anticipate each person will eat at least two hot dogs at the barbecue, we have purchased fifty hot dogs for our twenty-five guests. |
| 16167 |
Cutting edge |
the best and/or most advanced |
The best militaries in the world have to be cutting edge and always purchase the latest technology. |
| 16168 |
Snafu |
a confused and chaotic state |
What was supposed to be a wonderful winter wedding quickly turned into a circus-like snafu when the groom failed to show. |
| 16169 |
Rejected |
declined or refused; said no to |
The client rejected the settlement offer as he refused to take such a low amount of money. |
| 16170 |
Jerky |
indicated by abrupt stops and starts |
Hotel guests were afraid to ride on the jerky elevator since its erratic movements made it seem as if the pulley might break. |
| 16171 |
Mismanage |
to handle something badly or inappropriately |
The over spender tends to mismanage his money and waste it on frivolous things like candy and gambling. |
| 16172 |
Cluster |
a group of similar things that are physically close to one another |
There is a small cluster of people standing at the edge of the hallway, blocking my path to my next class. |
| 16173 |
Absorb |
to take in or soak up a substance |
A sponge will absorb any water it is placed in quite well, since it is porous and designed for exactly that purpose. |
| 16174 |
Animosity |
a strong feeling of disliking someone or something |
Why do you have such animosity towards me when I have done nothing to you? |
| 16175 |
Consumerism |
an economic theory based on the idea that spending money/selling lots of goods is good for the economy |
Because America is based on consumerism, the economy relies on the hustle and bustle of sales. |
| 16176 |
Legible |
writing that can be easily read |
Despite the smudges from the fire, the lawyer was still able to read the legible will. |
| 16177 |
Crossroads |
a point at which two roads meet |
Both cars stopped at a crossroads near 5th street. |
| 16178 |
Congeal |
to change from a liquid to solid state |
They refrigerated the liquid gelatin so it would congeal before they ate it. |
| 16179 |
Numbly |
emotionlessly or without expression |
After hearing excuse after excuse, the teacher listened numbly to her student’s twentieth excuse for not having his homework. |
| 16180 |
Dangling |
hanging loosely |
The model’s dangling chandelier earrings hung almost to her shoulders. |
| 16181 |
Praxis |
traditional conduct or practices |
The praxis of our religious community sets the marriage age for young women. |
| 16182 |
Sardonic |
displaying disrespect in a scornful way |
After Rick was fired from the restaurant, he wrote a sardonic review of the eatery. |
| 16183 |
Wiped |
cleaned something by rubbing its surface |
The maid wiped down all of the dirty surfaces in the kitchen, rubbing them until they were clean. |
| 16184 |
Determinative |
definitive. describes an action or event that determines something |
This final assault on the enemy capital will be the determinative battle that spells victory or defeat. |
| 16185 |
Locomote |
to move from one place to another |
We can locomote to the next town by car, train, boat or just plain old walking. |
| 16186 |
Intermittently |
not consistent; starting and stopping at random times |
Unfortunately, my neighbor’s car alarm went on and off intermittently throughout the night. |
| 16187 |
Abscess |
cavity filled with pus |
A tame rabbit was brought in with a large abscess about the size of an egg on its cheek. |
| 16188 |
Touched |
felt with one’s body, especially one’s hands |
The toddler touched the dog’s fur, rubbing his hands through the puppy’s silky smooth hair. |
| 16189 |
Turban |
a man’s headdress made of a long piece of cloth wound around a small cap or the head that is traditionally worn in North Africa or the Middle East |
As a follower of the Sikh faith, the man was recognized by his wrapped turban and uncut hair. |
| 16190 |
Unmoved |
not affected by emotion or other influence |
The toddler threw a fit and cried for the toy, but his mother was unmoved by his tantrum. |
| 16191 |
Charmed |
influenced to do something based on attraction |
The smooth-talking sailor charmed all of the women he met into falling in love with him. |
| 16192 |
Adamantine |
unyielding; firm and unbreakable |
The hero was adamantine and stuck to his values no matter what problem he faced. |
| 16193 |
Unhappy |
displeased; upset |
The couple’s unhappy marriage led to heated arguments and a divorce. |
| 16194 |
Stopped |
ceased and action; ended |
The giggly girls only stopped laughing when mother told them to be quiet. |
| 16195 |
Vigor |
physical or mental strength/force |
The spirited bodybuilder attacked his workouts with energetic vigor. |
| 16196 |
Competent |
having adequate ability or skill in a certain area |
Although the surgery is a difficult one, a competent surgeon will have no problem performing the operation. |
| 16197 |
Roseate |
too optimistic; unrealistic |
The hopeful girl’s attitude towards life was too roseate for her realistic mother’s tastes. |
| 16198 |
Juggernaut |
a large item that is seen as unstoppable and can destroy anything in its way |
With over a billion hits each day, Google is the juggernaut of search engines. |
| 16199 |
Liniment |
a topical solution used to alleviate stiffness or pain |
Because of arthritic pain, I usually apply liniment to my legs every night. |
| 16200 |
Fuel |
to supply or power something |
When you realize that food is a fuel used to propel your body, you will begin to choose healthier chow. |
| 16201 |
Mediate |
to help solve conflicts |
My husband is the one who usually has to mediate the disagreements between our sons. |
| 16202 |
Antic |
bizarre in a grotesque yet funny way |
The odd older man was known for his antic behavior and tendency to walk the streets dressed as a dead clown. |
| 16203 |
Awestruck |
filled with the sentiments of wonder and awe |
The little boy was awestruck by the holiday fireworks display. |
| 16204 |
Jest |
words that are spoken as humor |
When confronted by the teacher, the student said his words were in jest and not meant to be taken seriously. |
| 16205 |
Outcome |
an action that takes place after a triggering event |
When the jury filed back into the courtroom, the outcome of the trial was delivered to the packed courtroom. |
| 16206 |
Beloved |
describing someone who is much loved |
When the beloved actor died, his passing was mourned by millions of people. |
| 16207 |
Efficiency |
the state of being efficient and proficient |
The cleaning efficiency of the washing machine decreases when too many items are added at once. |
| 16208 |
Fizzle |
to finish something or die out slowly |
Karen’s and John’s argument about money began to fizzle out when a bonus check just arrived in the mail. |
| 16209 |
Proposal |
a plan or suggestion |
A proposal to increase property taxes has been strongly opposed by homeowners. |
| 16210 |
Smog |
fog or haze that is polluted with smoke |
Thick smog filled the air outside of the huge factory, polluting the sky all around the plant. |
| 16211 |
Hagiography |
a type of biography that is about the life of a saint |
The author’s most famous work was a hagiography about Mother Teresa. |
| 16212 |
Aperture |
a gap such as a hole or cavity |
The missile left a gigantic aperture in the wall of the terrorist’s hideout. |
| 16213 |
Anthropomorphic |
having attributes of humans |
The boy’s favorite cartoon stars an anthropomorphic cat who talks and walks like a person. |
| 16214 |
Formative |
able to affect an individual or thing |
The teen years are a formative time in an individual’s life because this is when one’s identity is formed. |
| 16215 |
Gaffe |
an obvious error or mistake |
Because of the quarterback’s gaffe, our team lost the big game. |
| 16216 |
Latch |
to fasten a door or gate with a latch or a lock |
We had to latch the door closed with a lock so it would not fly open when it got windy, since the last storm made a mess. |
| 16217 |
Ruefully |
in a way that expresses regret |
The little boys ruefully apologized for breaking the window. |
| 16218 |
Roulette |
a gambling game in which players bet on which compartment of a revolving wheel that a small ball will land in |
As the ball spun around the roulette wheel, the gamblers bet on which number it would land in. |
| 16219 |
Dispel |
to cause to depart or be broken apart |
The flowers from my husband do not dispel the fact I believe he is cheating on me. |
| 16220 |
Agon |
a contest or public celebration of games that took place in ancient Greece |
During the agon, two of Greece’s toughest warriors battled until one of them was killed. |
| 16221 |
Dismissive |
showing disregard, indicating rejection |
My mom seems to be dismissive of us now that she started a new job and works long hours. |
| 16222 |
Tipsy |
just slightly drunk |
Because my wife has a low tolerance for alcohol, she gets a little tipsy after just one glass of wine. |
| 16223 |
Communicator |
one who can skillfully convey ideas or information |
Because he is a very poor communicator, Chris rarely talks to his wife about anything. |
| 16224 |
Pitiable |
deserving pity or sympathy |
Even though Mary lost her job, I don’t find it to be pitiable because she has already found a better one. |
| 16225 |
Chasten |
to punish or reprimand in order to correct |
As a parent, I don’t feel spanking is a good way to chasten your kids. |
| 16226 |
Qualify |
to become eligible or suitable for something |
To qualify for a housing loan, the applicant had to raise his credit score by several points. |
| 16227 |
Misdemeanor |
a minor crime |
After driving her vehicle on a suspended license, the woman was slapped by the court with a misdemeanor requiring her to pay a fine and spend the night in jail. |
| 16228 |
Crotchety |
grouchy |
Angry about being placed in the nursing home, the crotchety man chased his nurses with his cane. |
| 16229 |
Orthography |
the aspect of language that is associated with spelling |
While the punctuation in the paper was fine, the writing contained many misspellings that revealed a weakness in orthography. |
| 16230 |
Sweeten |
to make something sweeter in taste |
The tea didn’t taste very good, so I used some sugar to sweeten it. |
| 16231 |
Worry |
give way to anxiety or unease; allow one’s mind to dwell on difficulty or troubles |
She tried not to worry about her test grade, but because it made up 60% of her grade she couldn’t help panicking. |
| 16232 |
Autocracy |
a government type in which one person has boundless power |
The country is an autocracy that is controlled solely by a member of the royal family. |
| 16233 |
Outlaw |
a criminal who has disobeyed the law but has not been captured yet |
Everyone who passed by the wanted poster of the dangerous outlaw wanted to find him so they could get the reward money. |
| 16234 |
Pushing |
exerting force on something by pressing against it |
Sharon spends her afternoon at the park pushing her little sister on the swing. |
| 16235 |
Erupt |
to violently eject |
Fearing that the volcano would erupt momentarily, the local authorities issued an immediate evacuation notice. |
| 16236 |
Checkered |
having a pattern of alternating squares, usually with two colors |
The children used a red and black checkered gameboard and rounded pieces to play checkers before dinner. |
| 16237 |
Brand |
a type of product manufactured by a company under a specific name |
I like to use the Gain brand of washing detergent, but my mother prefers the smell of Tide. |
| 16238 |
Go |
to move or travel from one place to another |
Every time I go to the store, I drive past a fruit stand with yummy grapes. |
| 16239 |
Befitting |
suitable |
Many people do not believe short dresses are befitting for women over the age of forty. |
| 16240 |
Predisposed |
to be inclined to act in a certain way or have a certain condition |
Because of my passion for athletics, I am predisposed to playing a variety of sports. |
| 16241 |
Lyric |
a line of a song or poem |
Each lyric of the song must be memorized before the singer takes the stage. |
| 16242 |
Asymmetry |
lack of equivalence or balance (symmetry) between parts |
The slight asymmetry of the woman’s face made it seem like one of her eyes was wider than the other. |
| 16243 |
Dichotomous |
divided into two separate parts |
Looking at the dichotomous cell under the microscope, the scientist studied each of its two sections. |
| 16244 |
Askance |
with doubt or suspicion |
As the police officer listened to the woman’s crazy story, he could not help but look askance at her. |
| 16245 |
Inferiority |
the fact of being around people who are more capable than you |
I had a feeling of inferiority when everyone around me could answer the questions easily except for me. |
| 16246 |
Censurable |
deserving censure or blame |
The movie was censurable, due to the extreme violence that was unsuitable for minors. |
| 16247 |
Baroque |
having a great deal of decorative embellishment; also referring to a time period in which heavy ornamentation was used in design, music, and art |
The elaborate architecture of the baroque dwelling seemed out of place in the neighborhood of simply-designed homes. |
| 16248 |
Related |
connected; associated, belonging |
The two girls are cousins, related because their mothers are sisters. |
| 16249 |
Sluggard |
a generally lazy and unproductive person |
Jonas was your typical sluggard who loved nothing more than laying in his bed and playing video games all day. |
| 16250 |
Sniff |
bringing in air through the nose in order to smell something |
Having the carsick woman sniff and taste ginger helped her to feel a little better. |
| 16251 |
Wavering |
hesitating or becoming doubtful about a decision |
Becky’s trust in her husband is wavering, and she is beginning to wonder if getting married was a good idea. |
| 16252 |
Frantically |
in an anxious way |
We frantically cleaned the house before our mother came home from work. |
| 16253 |
Inoperative |
out-of-order because of defect or out of use |
The vehicle’s motor shut down, rendering it inoperative and unable to be driven home. |
| 16254 |
Colonnade |
architectural pillars in front of a building |
Many ancient cities’ buildings have a colonnade stretching across the front for tourists to enter through. |
| 16255 |
Proxy |
one who has been given permission to act for another |
When my husband and I are out of the country, my sister is the proxy who signs legal documents for our children. |
| 16256 |
Pulchritudinous |
having great physical beauty |
Jack loves to stand in front of his mirror, staring at his pulchritudinous face. |
| 16257 |
Hearty |
enthusiastic and warmhearted |
Santa’s hearty laugh warmed the hearts of all the children. |
| 16258 |
Fuse |
to combine into one thing |
In the cooking contest, I will fuse Mexican and French recipes to make a dish I will refer to as Frexican. |
| 16259 |
Counsel |
a lawyer or attorney |
The man decided to find new legal counsel since his current attorney doesn’t seem to care about his case. |
| 16260 |
Connate |
inherit beliefs or ideas existing in a person since birth |
The boy had a connate love for music since he was born. |
| 16261 |
Nerves |
a person’s mental state or perceived source of emotional control |
The anxious player’s nerves were on edge as he waited to see if he would be drafted in the first round. |
| 16262 |
Receptive |
ready to receive new ideas or concepts |
When you are in a more receptive mood, I would like to discuss how you plan to pay these bills. |
| 16263 |
Mawkish |
being overly sentimental to the point it comes across as fake or silly |
The star’s mawkish poem at her mentor’s funeral was so insincere that most of the guests rolled their eyes. |
| 16264 |
Measure |
to gage or calculate an amount |
Using a cup to measure ¼ cup, the chef sifted just the right amount into the bowl. |
| 16265 |
Eldritch |
creepy and peculiar in an unnatural way |
Thunderous storms and a dark starless night created the perfect scene for watching the eldritch movie. |
| 16266 |
Correspondence |
messages exchanged between people |
In times of war, my mother often sends correspondence to active duty servicemen. |
| 16267 |
Hanker |
to yearn or pine to do something |
After years of an unhappy marriage, the man begin to hanker to have an affair. |
| 16268 |
Conceive |
to come up with a plan or idea |
Our team leader is counting on us to conceive a fix for the server error before our client deadline. |
| 16269 |
Neglect |
to abandon or ignore |
When you have children and work a full-time job, you may neglect your appearance because it is not important anymore. |
| 16270 |
Magnate |
a wealthy and influential business person |
My grandfather was considered a very influential and wealthy oil magnate. |
| 16271 |
Crossly |
in an angry or irritated manner |
Eva reacted crossly when she learned that she was not chosen for the solo part. |
| 16272 |
Rapidity |
quickness; swiftness |
Mashing the buttons with great rapidity, the toddler quickly locked his mother’s phone with his insistent pressing. |
| 16273 |
Viscera |
internal organs, specifically the body’s intestines |
The viscera are where the body makes its last attempt to gain any nutrients from food before pushing the remainder out of the body. |
| 16274 |
Lather |
(of soap) a frothy white mass of bubbles |
Using a rag and soap, the bather continued to foam the bubbles into a frothy lather. |
| 16275 |
Meandering |
following a winding course |
The bloodhound was meandering through the woods, following the haphazard trail left by its prey. |
| 16276 |
Destiny |
what’s meant to be; fixed order of things; a power that determines your future |
I believe that my destiny has been so arranged from the beginning, and that there is a higher force at play. |
| 16277 |
Magnify |
to boost or enhance something, making it appear larger |
My sister is an exaggerator who likes to magnify even the smallest symptoms when she is sick. |
| 16278 |
Plumber |
a person who installs and repairs water supply and sanitation pipes |
A plumber specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for water, sewage, and drainage. |
| 16279 |
Incredulous |
unbelievable; cannot accept as true |
The lottery winner was incredulous and could not believe his good fortune. |
| 16280 |
Yes |
given as a positive or agreeing answer when asked a question |
Yes, I can sell you two new pairs of shoes for the rice of one. |
| 16281 |
Arbitrary |
not done for any particular reason; chosen or done at random |
In spite of the cold weather, we made an arbitrary trip to the beach. |
| 16282 |
Charitable |
generous in giving to those in need |
Charitable donations were made to help those who lost their homes during the flood. |
| 16283 |
Commercialism |
majorly focusing on making money |
Due to the commercialism of Christmas, many true Christians are foregoing buying presents and remembering the true meaning of the holiday. |
| 16284 |
Forgotten |
something that can no longer be remembered or recalled |
Alicia struggled to recall the forgotten phone number but never could remember it. |
| 16285 |
Insurgent |
a rebel; one of several people who take up arms against the local state authority |
For his crimes against the state, he was tried as an enemy insurgent. |
| 16286 |
Escaped |
got free from; fled |
The prisoner escaped from his jail cell, chiseling his way out of the building and hopping over the fence. |
| 16287 |
Population Density |
the number of people living in each unit of an area, such as a square mile |
The population of the town is forty thousand, but the population density of the town is only seven hundred people per square mile. |
| 16288 |
Accusatory |
blaming a person or group for something |
My wife’s accusatory questions are starting to disrupt our marriage. |
| 16289 |
Unmatched |
referring to something that has no equal |
The duelist’s skills were unmatched, with no one being able to beat him in a sword fight in the last twenty years. |
| 16290 |
Birther |
a person who believes former President Barack Obama was not born in the United States and should have been disqualified from being president |
The birther is adamant that President Obama was born in Kenya and not the United States. |
| 16291 |
Misguide |
to lead someone astray or in the wrong direction |
Lying to the detectives, the suspect tried to misguide the officers and get them off of his trail. |
| 16292 |
Export |
to send to another nation for retail purposes |
If the country did not have oil to export, it would be a very poor nation. |
| 16293 |
Tautology |
speech or text in which something is restated unnecessarily |
The politician’s advertisement was simply tautology he restated several times within a thirty second period. |
| 16294 |
Coagulate |
to thicken a liquid to a solid or semi-solid state |
If you let the pudding sit for two hours, it will coagulate into a congealed dessert. |
| 16295 |
Declared |
stated openly; professed to others |
The president declared a state of emergency after a hurricane hit the east coast. |
| 16296 |
Bare |
naked, uncovered |
Jason made a bare handed catch deep in the outfield, which made him cry out in pain. |
| 16297 |
Required |
needed to complete a task |
Because she doesn’t have all of the required ingredients to make the dish, the chef will have to make a trip to the grocery store. |
| 16298 |
Anomie |
social instability caused by erosion of standards and values |
Carl claims that the children of gangsters are prone to anomie because they were never raised with a sense of right and wrong. |
| 16299 |
Same |
identical |
It’s strange to think that the mountains we see today are the same mountains people saw a thousand years ago. |
| 16300 |
Would |
an intent to have done something in the past |
Last year, I would have gone to see my father if I had time to do so. |
| 16301 |
Stature |
a level of prestige earned for a deed or achievement |
As a five-time Grammy winner, Aretha has a huge stature in the music community. |
| 16302 |
Excited |
filled with enthusiasm and eagerness |
The excited young man was ready to begin his lessons right away so he could learn to play an instrument. |
| 16303 |
Unmistakable |
definite and obvious |
A deadly hurricane will have unmistakable devastation because past storms have always caused destruction. |
| 16304 |
Commodity |
an item that can be purchased and retailed |
Oil is the country’s most profitable commodity. |
| 16305 |
Presage |
to give a warning something unpleasant may occur in the future |
If the unpopular president is reelected, his win will presage a countrywide protest. |
| 16306 |
Teeter |
to be unsteady or to wobble |
The judges held their breaths as they watched the normally skilled gymnast teeter on the edge of the balance beam. |
| 16307 |
Chattel |
personal property that can be relocated |
In many countries, the woman has no rights and is considered to be the husband’s chattel. |
| 16308 |
Reacted |
acted in response; behaved in a certain way as a reply |
The inmate reacted with anger after being told that he wasn’t getting out of jail. |
| 16309 |
Fulsome |
extreme flattering to the point of excess |
The stranger’s fulsome attention put me on edge. |
| 16310 |
Colonist |
a founder of a colony; a person who settles in a new colony |
A simple colonist alerted the citizens with the oncoming British soldiers, and he became known as Paul Revere. |
| 16311 |
Strategy |
a plan of action intended to accomplish a specific goal |
His strategy for winning the election included focusing on creating jobs. |
| 16312 |
Underfoot |
something positioned under one’s feet |
As the boys ran through the woods, the only thing you could hear was laughing and the crunching of the leaves underfoot. |
| 16313 |
Granite |
stonework |
Granite steps lead into an immaculate foyer where stonework continued into the sitting room. |
| 16314 |
Chooses |
refers to the act of making a decision or selection |
She chooses to be flexible and adaptable, rather than being rigid and inflexible. |
| 16315 |
Redoubtable |
a difficult challenger or challenge |
Despite his intense workouts, the boxer was no match for his redoubtable competitor who held several title belts. |
| 16316 |
Plaudit |
a showing of approval or applause |
As my daughter accepted her award, she blushed upon hearing the principal’s gracious plaudit. |
| 16317 |
Sailed |
traveled by water |
The explorers sailed across the Atlantic Ocean looking for new land to start a colony on. |
| 16318 |
Mote |
a tiny piece of something |
A small mote of glass entered my foot, so tiny that I wasn’t able to pull it out without tweezers. |
| 16319 |
Emotional |
of or relating to the emotions |
After more information unfolded, it appears the woman in question has severe emotional issues that should be dealt with. |
| 16320 |
Cut off |
a selected stoppage level in something |
As the children walked up to the roller coaster ride, they were upset that they were too short because the cut off height was taller than they were. |
| 16321 |
Brotherhood |
a friendship bond between two men or a group of men |
A bond of brotherhood held the soldiers together even after they left the military. |
| 16322 |
Republic |
a nation governed by elected officials |
After the king was dethroned, the country became a republic led by a democratically selected leader. |
| 16323 |
Grin |
a smile |
When he realized that he won the prize, a grin appeared on the man’s once sullen face. |
| 16324 |
Lolly |
a candy lollipop or sucker |
The pig-tailed schoolgirl licked on the lolly, refusing to share with her younger brother who had no candy. |
| 16325 |
Mane |
long and thick hair associated with the head of a mammal |
After not cutting his mane for forty years, the man had hair that fell to his knees. |
| 16326 |
Marksmanship |
the skill or ability to shoot at a target accurately |
Known for her marksmanship, Annie Oakley of the Wild West won her first shooting contest when she was just eight years old. |
| 16327 |
Emulation |
the desire to equal or excel someone else in qualities or actions |
Growing up, Rick was absorbed with sports emulation and he wanted to play for the Jets one day. |
| 16328 |
Rummage |
to look for something by searching through the contents in an area |
The dog will rummage through the garbage for food when it gets hungry. |
| 16329 |
Stirred |
to blend elements together with a utensil |
On the Homemade Food Cooking Show, the chef stirred the gumbo with a large wooden spoon. |
| 16330 |
Diagram |
a drawing or graph that represents the workings of something in a simplified manner |
I was unable to understand how the plan was going to work until the group leader created an easy to follow diagram on the board. |
| 16331 |
Empathize |
to understand and share the feelings of another |
Because she too had lost a parent to cancer, Jacie was able to empathize with the way Candace grieved her mother’s passing. |
| 16332 |
Anticlimactic |
lacking climax, disappointing or ironically insignificant following of impressive foreshadowing |
Although the child anticipated that the gift would bring him endless enjoyment, it quickly turned into an anticlimactic experience. |
| 16333 |
Disinter |
to take out of the grave or tomb; to unbury; to exhume; to dig up |
They needed to disinter the body to retest for forensic evidence. |
| 16334 |
Fuchsia |
a vivid color that is a mixture of purple and red |
A mix between purple and red, the pinkish fuchsia flower was the most vibrant of all those in the vase. |
| 16335 |
Hastily |
moving or acting with speed or urgency |
With a dangerous hurricane approaching, he hastily gathered his things and fled his home. |
| 16336 |
Romantic |
behavior or items that represent a sign of love and/or affection |
Sending a romantic letter to his crush was the guy’s latest effort to gain the woman’s heart. |
| 16337 |
Hiatus |
a period of time when something is stopped |
After Mary had a baby, she took a brief hiatus from work. |
| 16338 |
Waggish |
acting in a mischievous manner |
The waggish teenage boys kept tripping on the ground in hopes of attracting the attention of the pretty girls. |
| 16339 |
Repent |
to feel sorrow or regret for what one has done |
I insisted that I had no need to repent because I never did anything wrong. |
| 16340 |
Ravenous |
very hungry |
As a ravenous carnivore, Adam was sure that he would be able to finish the 4-pound steak in an hour. |
| 16341 |
Hijinks |
mischievious shenanigans or play |
Many witnesses could hear the hijinks in the park as the laughing teenagers covered a car in toilet paper. |
| 16342 |
Rabble |
a disorderly mob or crowd |
An angry rabble gathered outside of the courthouse and threw bottles at the mob on the other side of the street. |
| 16343 |
Smock |
a flowing shirt or dress that is fitted near the top with a type of stitching |
Due to my grandmother’s love of sewing and knitting, she would sew a smock for me to wear because I always like a decorated neckline. |
| 16344 |
Cesspool |
a circumstance or place that is corrupt and/or filthy |
Because the bar is filled with drug addicts and killers, it’s a real cesspool. |
| 16345 |
Panache |
a showy self-assured manner or style |
As a master chef, Gordon executes each dish with panache. |
| 16346 |
Backed |
supported; agreed with |
The political candidate was backed by several donors who didn’t mind supporting him financially. |
| 16347 |
Paying |
giving money that is due for goods or services received |
The couple is paying 900 dollars a month in rent to live in a small apartment in the country. |
| 16348 |
Aggravated |
angry or irritated, usually over a small problem or inconvenience |
Becoming aggravated with the puzzle, the toddler threw all of the pieces on the floor and began to cry. |
| 16349 |
Explanation |
a description of something or someone in order to clarify it |
When the new employee was going through her job orientation, the boss provided an explanation of the tasks she would need to perform. |
| 16350 |
Lance |
a long, thin pole with a sharp point carried by horsemen |
Every tribesman carries around a lance whose tip is so sharp that it pierces the flesh at the slightest touch. |
| 16351 |
Abstruse |
difficult to understand |
Some of the classic novels are too abstruse for beginning readers to understand. |
| 16352 |
Foretaste |
a sample of something one will have or endure later |
The rain was just a foretaste of the approaching hurricane. |
| 16353 |
Pococurante |
not feeling concerned |
Due to her pococurante attitude toward the homeless, the woman simply walked by the starving children on the streets. |
| 16354 |
Anniversary |
the date on which an even took place the year before |
Celebrating their anniversary with a candlelit dinner, the couple was happy to be married for another year. |
| 16355 |
Portent |
a signal something is about to occur |
The thunder was a portent of an approaching storm. |
| 16356 |
Affluent |
wealthy, rich |
Only affluent families could afford the top-dollar price tags attached to the homes in that neighborhood. |
| 16357 |
Rapine |
the taking of another’s property by force |
To prevent rapine during the war, many people hid their most valuable possessions. |
| 16358 |
Intriguing |
of interest; triggering a wish to know more |
The movie looks intriguing so I’m definitely going to see it. |
| 16359 |
Stem |
the main stalk of a plant where the leaves and the flowers branch off of |
Quickly, Henry yanked the stem of a flower while his sweetheart’s back was turned and gave it to her after she turned around. |
| 16360 |
Withering |
shriveling or fading away |
After a few days of being removed from the garden and placed in the vase, the withering roses began to fade away. |
| 16361 |
Forfeit |
to lose or give up something |
A lack of players caused the team to forfeit the game. |
| 16362 |
Requested |
to be asked for |
A soldier came in and requested a pack of cigarettes today, but as quartermaster I couldn’t provide him with something like that. |
| 16363 |
Technocracy |
a ruling power who governs with heavy reliance on technology |
In many science fiction novels, the world is ruled by a technocracy where scientists and technology reign supreme. |
| 16364 |
Raffle |
a lottery-style game where people buy tickets for a prize and one or more tickets is drawn at random |
During the Farmerville County Fair, people purchased tickets for a raffle to win a prize-winning chicken only if their ticket was drawn. |
| 16365 |
Exceedingly |
extremely; to a great extent |
As my debt rose and income increased, it seemed exceedingly difficult to survive month to month. |
| 16366 |
Deserted |
abandoned, without people |
It was a strong clue that the restaurant either had poor service or terrible food since it looked deserted. |
| 16367 |
Deus ex Machina |
describes a situation in which a hopeless scenario is resolved by an unexpected and highly fortunate power or event, usually as a poor plot device in writing |
The hero was cornered by the enemy and essentially defeated, but he was saved by a Deus ex Machina when he magically acquired a new power to defeat his enemies seemingly for no reason. |
| 16368 |
Macroscopic |
able to be seen with the eye |
If the item to be examined is macroscopic, then a scientist won’t need a microscope to view it. |
| 16369 |
Scurry |
to move rapidly using small steps |
The mouse tried to scurry under the door. |
| 16370 |
Blurt |
to say something suddenly and without thought |
Sam couldn’t help but blurt out his idea in the middle of the meeting, even though no one asked him. |
| 16371 |
Swiftly |
quickly or promptly |
The car moved swiftly down the road at eighty miles an hour. |
| 16372 |
Coerce |
to make someone do something by using force or threats |
The bully tried to coerce the small kids into giving him their lunch money. |
| 16373 |
Heading |
a title or caption that is found at the top of a page |
The editor placed the heading “Global Warming is Real” at the very top of the magazine page. |
| 16374 |
Herd |
a cluster of individuals or animals who share something in common |
A herd of children ran across the field in search of Easter eggs. |
| 16375 |
Tolerant |
the attribute of being able to endure something in particular |
Most desert creatures are quite tolerant to the heat of the sun, so they can resist it better than non-native creatures. |
| 16376 |
Rote |
without thought; by habit or routine |
By singing the alphabet song throughout the day, my daughter is learning her letters by rote. |
| 16377 |
Unclaimed |
not being requested or demanded by the person who owns it |
All of the unclaimed luggage was taken to the airport’s lost in found in hopes that the owners would come looking for it. |
| 16378 |
Colonel |
a high Army rank above Lieutenant Colonel but below Brigadier General |
The Colonel is a high enough rank to be in charge of a major military offensive, but he still answers to the generals above him. |
| 16379 |
Bibulous |
related to alcohol consumption |
After a bibulous night of barhopping, Gail wasn’t in a condition to drive home. |
| 16380 |
Propulsive |
having the power to move forward |
When she got sick, the force of her stomach tensing was propulsive. |
| 16381 |
Admonitory |
conveying a warning |
The teacher’s voice had an admonitory tone as she told the students to stop talking or lose recess. |
| 16382 |
Elegiac |
communicating mourning or sorrow |
The elegiac poem brought everyone to tears during the funeral. |
| 16383 |
Vivaciousness |
liveliness; energy |
Known for her vivaciousness, Andi is considered the life of the party in her hometown. |
| 16384 |
Undergo |
to experience; go through |
She had to undergo anesthesia for her operation. |
| 16385 |
Nucleotide |
the fundamental components of RNA and DNA |
In order to fully understand a person’s genetic makeup, the scientist will have to first analyze the person’s nucleotide. |
| 16386 |
Hillbilly |
a primitive rural person who lives in or around the mountains |
We expected to see a hillbilly because we were traveling to the Appalachian Mountains and understood people who lived there had never experienced the rest of the world. |
| 16387 |
Opus |
a significant work from an artist, writer, or other creative individual |
The songwriter worked day and night on the opus he prayed would make him famous. |
| 16388 |
Icicle |
a hanging piece of ice that is formed when dripping water freezes |
In order for an icicle to grow, a constant flowing stream of water must be moving over the ice. |
| 16389 |
Remorse |
guilt or regret for a misdeed |
The psychopath appeared content and showed no remorse during the murder trial. |
| 16390 |
Vehemently |
to do something forcefully and often passionately |
The scorned young woman vehemently rejected her ex-boyfriend’s pleas to forgive him. |
| 16391 |
Disclose |
to reveal information; disclose |
During the interview, the would-be informant agreed to disclose what he knew about the crime. |
| 16392 |
Utilitarianism |
an theory that says actions that are harmful to certain individuals are justified if they help the majority |
Because the focus is on the whole and not individual needs, societies practicing utilitarianism have laws like population control. |
| 16393 |
Taint |
to contaminate or pollute something |
The spilled chemicals worked to taint the experiment, forcing the students to start over. |
| 16394 |
Mellifluous |
having a smooth, flowing sound |
The actor has a mellifluous voice that could lull anyone into a deep sleep. |
| 16395 |
Pavement |
a smooth concrete surface |
Since the cement had not dried yet, the pavement was roped off so no one would walk on it. |
| 16396 |
Subsided |
to decrease to a less intense level |
After I took the medicine, the pain in my leg subsided. |
| 16397 |
Strand |
a single piece of something such as thread, rope, or hair |
Since the wind caused her hair to blow in her face, a single strand of hair got caught in her left eye. |
| 16398 |
Joyous |
full of joy; happy |
A joyous celebration such as this requires cake, music, and elaborate decorations! |
| 16399 |
Guilty |
responsible for wrongdoing |
Because he was guilty of the crime, Charles was sent to the slammer for several years. |
| 16400 |
Lustful |
feeling strong sexual desires |
Because he always talked about sex, it was obvious that Dina’s new boyfriend only had lustful intentions. |
| 16401 |
Incapacity |
the physical or mental inability to take care of something |
My incapacity for calculus has led me to focus on the language arts rather than the mathematics I can’t seem to comprehend. |
| 16402 |
Merchandising |
the selling of products through promotion in a retail store |
Tina is in charge of morning merchandizing, so she spends most of her shift organizing soaps and other beauty products on the store’s shelves. |
| 16403 |
Majorly |
in the most important or notable way |
The drug dealing pimp majorly changed his lifestyle from a criminal to a legitimate pastor. |
| 16404 |
Groped |
searched without light or certainty |
In the dark, I groped for the light switch. |
| 16405 |
Impetuous |
acting without thinking—done impulsively; sudden decision |
We made an impetuous decision to go swimming in the lake in December. |
| 16406 |
Protuberance |
something that protrudes or sticks out from something else |
A hairy protuberance from the woman’s nose stuck out just enough to make the neighborhood children think she was a witch. |
| 16407 |
Potentially |
with a possibility to occur or become reality in the future |
Because he did not study for the final test, Mark could potentially fail the class. |
| 16408 |
Floccinaucinihilipilification |
approximating something as of having no value or rubbish |
Since there was very little education derived from comics, teachers rarely used them as reading material due to this floccinaucinihilipilification. |
| 16409 |
Unresponsive |
having an absence of reaction or awareness |
When the boys stumbled upon a dead body, they poked him but received an unresponsive reply or action. |
| 16410 |
Dissipation |
gradual loss or fading |
Having worked nearly all day, I could practically feel the dissipation of my the bundle of energy I had woken up with this morning. |
| 16411 |
Clouded |
made unclear or muddled |
Illegal drugs clouded the man’s judgment and made it difficult for him to make a responsible decision. |
| 16412 |
Invent |
create, conceive or originate |
Benjamin Franklin did invent electricity using his kite and key experiment even though many people credit Thomas Edison’s development of the light bulb. |
| 16413 |
Perpetrator |
one who performs a crime or offence |
None of the students in the class would identify the perpetrator who stole the teacher’s watch. |
| 16414 |
Warp |
to twist into a different or abnormal shape |
If the chair gets wet, the wood will warp and make the furniture uncomfortable for sitting. |
| 16415 |
Acquiescent |
willing to acquiesce, accept or agree to something without objection, protest or resistance |
Parents often desire their children to be acquiescent, obeying commands and requests without any issue. |
| 16416 |
Opacity |
a blurriness or cloudiness look to something |
Due to the opacity of the lenses in my glasses, I could not read the print on the pages of my book. |
| 16417 |
Reorientation |
the process of changing something direction or focus |
With the joining of a new pastor, the church’s beliefs and rule system underwent a reorientation. |
| 16418 |
Widespread |
affecting a large area or number of people |
The widespread outages that our state experienced last month were due to the big tornado. |
| 16419 |
Amour |
a secret lover |
Kissing his amour goodbye, the lovesick man could not bear to part from his secret lover. |
| 16420 |
Obedient |
conforming or submitting to someone’s wishes or demands |
Only obedient children were permitted to participate in the field trip since the teachers could trust their behavior to be appropriate at the museum. |
| 16421 |
Caterwaul |
producing a sharp howling or wailing noise, often made by or resembling the sound of a cat |
The lost feline began to caterwaul, letting out a shrill wail as he roamed the city streets. |
| 16422 |
Percolate |
to gradually penetrate |
During the gas leak, the fumes seemed to percolate the entire house. |
| 16423 |
Limited Government |
a situation where a government’s power is restricted by law |
Thanks to the limited government of the U.S., the government can’t search your home without a warrant. |
| 16424 |
Typify |
to represent what is normal or typical |
The smart student seemed to typify the overly bright and gifted group of children. |
| 16425 |
Undistinguished |
ordinary; unremarkable |
Sometimes the celebrity wished for an ordinary and undistinguished life where he wasn’t followed around constantly. |
| 16426 |
First of all |
to happen prior to anything else |
“First of all, we need to pray for the children killed in the bomb blast,” the priest said to the congregation and then they prayed for all the other problems. |
| 16427 |
Appreciation |
recognition and enjoyment of something |
Nothing irritates me more than when I hold the door open for a stranger and they don’t show any appreciation whatsoever. |
| 16428 |
Subjunctive |
an action verb form that explains a desire or want to do something |
Once the student found the subjunctive verb in the sentence, he was able to find the direct object. |
| 16429 |
Decriminalization |
to make a particular act no longer illegal by changing a law |
The decriminalization of marijuana use has already taken place in several states, and even more areas will be making it legal soon. |
| 16430 |
Dachshund |
a breed of dog also referred to as a “weenie dog” because of its short legs and long body |
The long-bodied dachshund wagged its tail as it stretched out in the noon-day sun. |
| 16431 |
Restless |
uneasy and edgy |
Thinking about the tomorrow’s speech in front of hundreds of people, Sally tossed and turned during her restless sleep. |
| 16432 |
Building |
a structure that has a roof, walls, and a door |
The roof of the old barn is caving in, so the farmer has decided to tear the building down this spring. |
| 16433 |
Supersonic |
a speed that travels faster than sound |
These aircraft tolerate a wide range of pilot demands from absurdly low speeds to supersonic flight. |
| 16434 |
Predestination |
the doctrine that everything has been foreordained by a God or by fate |
The priest believed in predestination and never worried about things that were to come. |
| 16435 |
Grievance |
an aggravation or complaint |
As Phil typed his grievance about the store’s poor customer service, he hoped he would receive a response from the corporate office. |
| 16436 |
Pirate |
the act of stealing or reproducing a copyrighted work for profit |
Many people pirate games and music from the internet by downloading them illegally and free of charge. |
| 16437 |
Warily |
carefully; with caution |
The wealthy woman watched warily as the three suspicious men walked by her luxury car. |
| 16438 |
Incontrovertible |
cannot deny or disprove; unable to change form |
Failing grades revealed an incontrovertible fact: no student properly studied for the test. |
| 16439 |
Fait accompli |
already completed and unchangeable |
The low grade on my project was a fait accompli the teacher saw no reason to alter. |
| 16440 |
Assiduous |
showing hard work and care that is brought about by attention to detail |
That was very assiduous of you to finish those financial reports weeks ahead of schedule. |
| 16441 |
Communication |
the ability or act of talking with another person either in person or through some other medium to exchange information |
The campers were cut off from communication with their friends and family members when their cellphones lost service deep in the woods. |
| 16442 |
Resign |
to voluntarily leave a job or position |
To avoid being fired from his teaching gig, the incompetent coach decided to resign and leave on his own accord. |
| 16443 |
Narcissistic |
obsessed with one’s importance and/or physical appearance. |
The narcissistic teenager cannot walk more than fifty feet without checking her appearance in her pocket mirror. |
| 16444 |
Backbite |
to talk or gossip about someone in a way that is spiteful or mean |
Grace makes an effort not to backbite or discuss others negatively while at school. |
| 16445 |
Blustery |
blowing in loud and abrupt bursts |
During the blizzard, the blustery wind echoed eerily throughout the house. |
| 16446 |
Iffy |
uncertain or unsettled |
I am iffy on taking the job offer since the hours are long and the pay is a little low. |
| 16447 |
Cagey |
uncommunicative; unwilling or hesitant to give information |
Coca Cola acted in a very cagey fashion when I attempted to find out the ingredients of their soft drinks. |
| 16448 |
Pole |
a long round piece of wood, plastic or metal |
Due to the strong winds today, a tree hit a power pole and knocked it down across the road. |
| 16449 |
State |
to say something, either out loud or on paper |
Eli will state his case to the judge in the morning in hopes that he will rule in his favor. |
| 16450 |
Adequate |
enough; good enough |
Adequate water intake is necessary for your body to function properly. |
| 16451 |
Pittance |
a tiny amount of something |
The housekeeper was unable to pay her bills with the pittance her employers paid her. |
| 16452 |
Unpropitious |
not favorable of likely to produce a good result |
The candidate’s unpropitious speak is unlikely to win him any votes. |
| 16453 |
Moribund |
being in the state of dying |
Because the wounded man has lost a great deal of blood, he is moribund and probably will not make it through the night. |
| 16454 |
Preconceived |
an idea or opinion that is formed before having the information, evidence, or experience to back up its truthfulness |
The experiment was only successful because the scientist did not let his preconceived notions affect the results. |
| 16455 |
Gallon |
a fluid measurement that equates to sixteen pints |
The mother knew she would need to buy a gallon of milk in order for her family of four to have enough milk for the week. |
| 16456 |
Doting |
showing someone that you love and care them very much |
The doting mother waited on her children hand and foot, even into adulthood. |
| 16457 |
Accused |
charged with an offense or crime |
Although he has been accused of burning down the building, the suspect has not been proven guilty. |
| 16458 |
Wearable |
something that is able to be suitably worn |
The snuggie is an invention that is like a wearable blanket because it keeps people warm but has sleeves and a neckline. |
| 16459 |
Travelogue |
a telling of the places visited and things experienced by a traveler |
The movie we saw was a documentary, a travelogue that showed us all the places the main character had visited throughout his life. |
| 16460 |
Phenomenon |
a person or thing that is often awe-inspiring because of its unique quality |
The four-year-old boy was considered a phenomenon because he could play the piano like a master pianist. |
| 16461 |
Poised |
having self-confidence and self-assurance |
Poised and confident, the valedictorian delivered a commencement speech that was just as entertaining as it was inspiring. |
| 16462 |
Kibitzer |
an onlooker who offers unwanted advice or commentary |
The kibitzer stood at the edge of the chess table irritating the players with his unwanted tips. |
| 16463 |
Scintillating |
remarkably witty |
The host’s scintillating conversations with celebrities have earned her numerous awards. |
| 16464 |
Absquatulate |
to depart hurriedly |
Before the thief could absquatulate with the diamonds, he was surrounded by police officers. |
| 16465 |
Sew |
to create or repair by making stitches with a needle and thread |
The cut on her cheek was so deep that the doctor had to sew a few stitches to mend it together. |
| 16466 |
Cried |
shed tears from one’s eyes because of a strong emotion like sadness or joy |
The baby cried and cried, shrieking loudly until his mother came to see why he was upset. |
| 16467 |
Saccharine |
romantic or sentimental to the point of sounding silly |
My boss talks about her dog in such a saccharine way you would think she is talking about a human child. |
| 16468 |
Vibration |
shaking; back and forth movement |
The vibration of the earthquake shook the city for several minutes. |
| 16469 |
Wet |
covered with a liquid, usually water |
The floor is still wet from where I spilled soda on it. |
| 16470 |
Skiff |
a boat small enough for sailing or rowing by one person |
The fisherman hoped that the small skiff would be able to hold all of the fish he caught. |
| 16471 |
All the rage |
of current or latest fashion |
Bubble jackets were all the rage last year, but this year, furry coats are in style. |
| 16472 |
Persimmon |
a reddish-orange sweet fruit that is similar to a plum |
After pulling a persimmon off the tree, the young girl took a bite into the juicy rosy produce tasting its sugary flesh. |
| 16473 |
Out-of-towner |
a person from outside of a particular town or city |
Everyone in Boston could tell that Paula was an out-of-towner because of her southern accent. |
| 16474 |
Poultice |
a soft, heated and medicated substance, that is spread on cloth over the skin to treat an aching, inflamed, or painful part of the body |
Applying a thick layer of poultice to the burn stopped it from welting. |
| 16475 |
Cabal |
a collection of people who come together to work against something or someone |
Hundreds of workers formed a cabal to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with the firm’s healthcare plan. |
| 16476 |
Googly |
rolling in an unfocused way |
Googly and rolling around, the girl’s eyes continued to pitch as she had a seizure. |
| 16477 |
Logorrhea |
excessive wordiness with minor or sometimes incoherent talkativeness |
Unlike our previous teacher whose logorrhea filled her lectures, this year’s teacher speaks so much more sparingly. |
| 16478 |
Frost |
the thin, white layer of ice that forms in the air when the temperature is below freezing |
During the early morning hours, a light layer of frost covered the cool windows. |
| 16479 |
Reel |
to lose balance or feel dizzy |
As I started to reel and feel faint, I realized my date had put something in my drink. |
| 16480 |
Turbine |
an engine that provides power because a wheel or a rotor is continually turning due to pressure from fast moving liquid |
The turbine used water and a rotor to power the boat down the mighty Mississippi. |
| 16481 |
Attendance |
the number of people present at an event |
Attendance at the concert was low because the ticket prices were so high. |
| 16482 |
Supernatural |
something of the other world, spooky, scary things that are not natural or normal |
Although he doubted the existence of supernatural beings, he was intrigued by the idea of ghosts. |
| 16483 |
Commencement |
graduation ceremony in which diplomas or degrees are confirmed |
Preparing her commencement speech, the Valedictorian wanted to find a moving quote to speak to her fellow graduates. |
| 16484 |
Hearken |
to listen |
Confident and proud, the young man refused to hearken his parents’ advice. |
| 16485 |
Capacitate |
make someone capable of a particular action or legally competent to act in a particular way |
Years of school capacitate the lawyer to give great legal defense to his client. |
| 16486 |
Acquiescence |
the acceptance of something without protest |
The eventual acquiescence by the British led to the ending of the Revolutionary War and the founding of a nation. |
| 16487 |
Modulate |
to control or regulate |
Several chemicals coming from the brain modulate appetite, controlling when the body feels hungry. |
| 16488 |
Blubber |
to talk while crying |
The weeping toddler would blubber her response to her mom when asked if she was sorry for slapping his brother. |
| 16489 |
Doctrine |
a belief or collection of beliefs observed by a particular group |
Because David was opposed to some elements of the church’s doctrine, he decided to find another place to worship. |
| 16490 |
Occult |
relating to magical or supernatural abilities |
The occult show about a group of teenage witches living together is one of the highest rated shows on television. |
| 16491 |
Double Jeopardy |
a constitutional clause that makes it illegal for charge/retry someone for the same crime they were already prosecuted for |
Even though OJ wrote a book about committing murder, it would be double jeopardy to try him again after his acquittal. |
| 16492 |
Eternal |
never ending; lasting forever |
Romeo and Juliet believed that they had an eternal love that would last even after death. |
| 16493 |
Complicity |
the condition of being involved in an act of wrongdoing |
Your complicity in the crime is probably going to earn you five years in prison. |
| 16494 |
Molecule |
a group of atoms that are bonded together |
When two atoms join together, a small molecule is created. |
| 16495 |
Upscale |
expensive and designed to appeal to wealthy buyers |
The broke college students couldn’t afford to buy anything at the upscale boutique since the cashmere sweaters, and designer bags were out of their price range. |
| 16496 |
Bosh |
nonsense; absurdity |
Because the celebrity knew the tabloid’s accusations were total bosh, Angelina refused even to acknowledge the claims. |
| 16497 |
Disinfectant |
a chemical liquid that destroys germs/bacteria |
A cleaning product with bleach is an excellent disinfectant since its main ingredients will cause the proteins in bacteria to unfold. |
| 16498 |
Modeled |
displayed clothing by wearing it |
The designer’s assistant modeled a gray sheath dress from with a wool overcoat during the winter show. |
| 16499 |
Candle |
a block of wax with a center wick that gives off light when lit |
Laura bought her mother a three-wicked wax candle that smelled like pumpkin spice when it burned. |
| 16500 |
Disagreement |
an argument caused by people having differences of opinion |
A heated disagreement between the two friends caused them to stop speaking. |
| 16501 |
Anticlimax |
a shift from an exciting event to a disappointing event |
As the story wrapped up, it became apparent that Sonny’s break-up with his girlfriend would be the anticlimax. |
| 16502 |
Excrescence |
a protrusion or growth usually in the form of a lump that is the result of sickness |
After discovering a large excrescence that resembled a bubble on his leg, Miles went to the doctor to have it looked it. |
| 16503 |
Interrupted |
to have the flow of something stopped |
The usually calm flow of the river is interrupted by a human built dam about halfway through it, breaking its stream. |
| 16504 |
Flair |
the natural capability to do something very well |
Anna demonstrated her flair for drama by passing out when her daughter announced she was not going to college. |
| 16505 |
Waste |
to misuse something or to use it carelessly |
The children tend to waste food and never eat half of what they order. |
| 16506 |
Associative |
having a connection between two things |
Research studies have shown time and time again that there is an associative connection between smoking and cancer. |
| 16507 |
Intuition |
an ability to immediately understand something without reasoning or proof |
They say that when you feel something is wrong you should trust your intuition. |
| 16508 |
Desire |
a wish, a feeling of want |
After watching her grandfather die from lung cancer, Cathy lost all desire to smoke. |
| 16509 |
Demonize |
to portray something or someone as evil or wicked |
In divorce court, the bitter wife tried to demonize her ex and pain him in a bad light to the judge. |
| 16510 |
Dared |
challenged or faced something dangerous |
Amelia Earhart dared to fly around the globe, a feat that many men were afraid to take on. |
| 16511 |
Scoop |
an exclusive item of news reported by one journalist or news organization before others |
The tabloid journalist snooped around in the murder suspect’s trash can looking for a scoop that she could craft a story out of. |
| 16512 |
Hideous |
extremely ugly or disgusting |
The con man flashed a hideous smile, giving us the chills. |
| 16513 |
Servile |
submissive; willing to serve others |
Some individuals are so servile that other people take advantage of their submissiveness. |
| 16514 |
Unmarried |
single with no legal husband or wife |
Although she has been with her partner for more than 30 years, Oprah Winfrey remains legally unmarried. |
| 16515 |
Furnished |
supplied; provided |
The charity furnished pillows, blankets, and a hot meal to the homeless men and women sleeping on the streets. |
| 16516 |
Regulatory |
something that holds you to the rules |
Many citizens believe the regulatory laws of the country need changing |
| 16517 |
Kindle |
to motivate or inspire |
The mother hoped the prison inmate’s speech would kindle her son to change his rebellious ways. |
| 16518 |
Callus |
an area of thickened skin that forms as a response to repeated friction, pressure, or other irritation |
The callus on his hand was a result of years of hard work. |
| 16519 |
Compel |
to press or force to have something done |
Sometimes I have to compel my daughter into doing her chores by threatening to keep her allowance. |
| 16520 |
Senectitude |
old age; the last stage of life |
Although she is well into her senectitude, the eighty-year-old woman tries to combat her age with exercise. |
| 16521 |
Informant |
a person who gives information to someone else |
The police claim that a secret informant called and told them who committed the crime. |
| 16522 |
Victorious |
conquering and triumphant; having won a victory |
Because they were victorious against their enemies, the villagers were able to keep their land. |
| 16523 |
Likable |
pleasant, friendly, or otherwise easy to like |
Because she wasn’t very likable, no one wanted to play with the hateful girl on the playground. |
| 16524 |
Suitable |
appropriate |
Dating a twenty year old when you are only fourteen would not be suitable or appropriate. |
| 16525 |
Dependable |
able to be depended on |
Although I do not trust mechanics, I am happy to use Chris because of how dependable he is. |
| 16526 |
Acknowledge |
to confirm or admit the truth about something |
The president will acknowledge the soldiers’ suspicious deaths during his address to the nation. |
| 16527 |
Ensnare |
to catch something in a trap |
The hunter’s plan to ensnare the rabbit was cut short by a storm. |
| 16528 |
Jump |
to hop or leap upward, bringing one’s feet off the ground for a short period of time |
The basketball player tried to jump up high and dunk the ball into the goal. |
| 16529 |
Tread |
to walk, step, or trample with your feet |
In an effort to avoid waking her parents, the girl tread lightly through the entryway. |
| 16530 |
Fully |
completely; entirely |
The fully equipped gym had every type of workout equipment fitness junkies could dream of using. |
| 16531 |
Fulminate |
to complain angrily or loudly |
The disgruntled customer continued to fulminate over a price difference. |
| 16532 |
Intersperse |
to spread things out at intervals |
Before the Easter egg hunt, the grownups will intersperse the candy-filled eggs throughout the field. |
| 16533 |
Neoclassical |
in the manner of Ancient Greek or Romans |
Neoclassical artists model their paintings off of Ancient Greek and Roman masterpieces. |
| 16534 |
Culture Shock |
a feeling of unfamiliarity due to someone being thrust into an unexperienced culture or way of life |
Someone who went from rich and comfortable to rags and poverty would be subject to a massive culture shock due to their previous lifestyle. |
| 16535 |
Refutation |
the act of proving something wrong, usually through a speech |
The lawyer’s refutation of the charges allowed his client to be found guilty and walk free. |
| 16536 |
Indemnification |
to reimburse or repay due to damage, injury or deficit |
Due to a clause for indemnification, the neighbor’s teenager had to give his allowance to the neighbor for weeks until the broken window was repaid. |
| 16537 |
Gallimaufry |
a confused mess of things |
The excuses of the young children was a gallimaufry of nonsense, each of them saying something different that made no sense. |
| 16538 |
Rebuff |
to turn down or refuse |
Since your offer does not benefit me, I will have to rebuff it and walk away empty-handed. |
| 16539 |
Memo |
a written message, especially in business |
The manager of the finance department sent a memo out to employees telling them when the next meeting would be held. |
| 16540 |
De riguer |
required by etiquette or current fashion |
If you want to be a clown, a big red nose is de riguer. |
| 16541 |
Emotions |
feelings that we experience in response to certain events and situations |
John struggled to control his emotions during the heated argument with his partner. |
| 16542 |
Naturalist |
someone who studies life and nature |
While wandering in the forest, a naturalist was walking a trail to determine if there were any new birds in the area. |
| 16543 |
Grudging |
forced or unwilling |
With grudging acceptance, the losing team reluctantly shook the hands of the victors. |
| 16544 |
Chimerical |
an invention of an individual’s imagination |
The company was fined when the government discovered it had used chimerical data to get approval for its new drug. |
| 16545 |
Inexcusable |
too bad to be justified or tolerated |
When her best friend started dating her ex boyfriend, she knew their friendship was over because that kind of betrayal was inexcusable. |
| 16546 |
Sketchy |
incomplete in a way that is sketchy and contains few details |
Although the blueprint draft is still sketchy, we do have a few ideas of how we want our new home to be laid out. |
| 16547 |
Sect |
a small religious or political group that separates from a larger group. Sects have many of the same beliefs and practices as the original group, but often have some different doctrines |
Our family are Mormons, which is a sect of Christianity. |
| 16548 |
Atheist |
an individual who doesn’t believe in a higher power or god |
The atheist wrote a novel disproving the existence of a higher power. |
| 16549 |
Circular |
shaped like a circle; round |
The circular tower was much taller than the ones built in a square shape instead of a rounded one. |
| 16550 |
Septuagenarian |
a person who is in the seventy to seventy-nine age range |
As she approached eighty, the septuagenarian wished that she could stay 79 forever. |
| 16551 |
Genus |
a class or group of something, usually used in biology to classify similar animals of different species |
Because it represents the group, the genus is the first part of an animal’s scientific name. |
| 16552 |
Breathless |
panting or gasping for breath |
The smoker always felt breathless after he coughed and gasped for air. |
| 16553 |
Filibuster |
a delaying tactic; a long speech given in order to delay progress or the making of a decision |
The senator will filibuster to prevent a vote on the bill. |
| 16554 |
Alley |
a narrow passageway |
Walking through the dark alley, Giana thought the passageway seemed to be filled with scary sights at every turn. |
| 16555 |
Rut |
a habit or pattern that is hard to change |
The prize-winning horse seemed to be a rut this year, having come in dead last during the past three races. |
| 16556 |
Horrify |
to fill someone with horror or shock them |
Many young boys like to horrify their female counterparts by doing gross things, such as eating dirt or touching worms or other silly shenanigans. |
| 16557 |
Chump |
an easy target for deception |
The nerdy and awkward boy was such a chump to think that the beautiful girl wanted to date him when she was just using him. |
| 16558 |
Blameworthy |
responsible for doing something wrong |
The most blameworthy of the suspects were given the death penalty for their roles in the crime. |
| 16559 |
Surf |
to ride waves in the ocean on a type of board |
Many hippie boys like water sports in California because the ocean water has big waves to surf on. |
| 16560 |
Electrocute |
to die or be harmed by electricity |
Never step on a downed power line because the live wire could electrocute you. |
| 16561 |
Criticize |
to find fault with something |
It is unfair to criticize teachers for not promoting students who cannot perform at their grade level. |
| 16562 |
Camouflage |
a means or attempt to conceal something |
When we go deer hunting, we dress in camouflage so we can fade into nature’s background. |
| 16563 |
Eureka |
a cry of joy or satisfaction exclaimed when one discovers something |
“Eureka!” Alice exclaimed when she finally figured out the code to the locked safe. |
| 16564 |
Proficient |
able to do something very well |
Because Kurt is a proficient programmer, he earns a high salary for his work. |
| 16565 |
Heads-up |
to caution or forewarn beforehand |
When the weatherman saw an approaching tornado to the town, he gave a heads-up to the citizens to seek shelter immediately. |
| 16566 |
Truncheon |
a stick or baton that is carried as a symbol of order and authority |
The video shows a police officer using his truncheon to beat a suspect in the head. |
| 16567 |
Deprive |
to take something away (and keep it away); deny someone of something |
Max is a racist who wants to deprive black people from their right to vote on election day. |
| 16568 |
Volitant |
flying or moving about rapidly |
During the Jurassic period, volitant creatures flew rapidly around the earth. |
| 16569 |
Vindictiveness |
a strong desire for revenge or payback |
The therapist urged her client to resist vindictiveness and move past the need to seek revenge. |
| 16570 |
Invalid |
not binding or acceptable |
The police officer gave me a ticket for driving with an invalid license. |
| 16571 |
Logy |
sluggish and heavy in thought/motion |
After staying up half of the night studying the exhausted student was logy the next morning. |
| 16572 |
Biennial |
taking place in two year intervals |
The biennial picnic is scheduled to be held in two years. |
| 16573 |
Acropolis |
a stronghold or sanctuary used for defensive and religious purposes in ancient Grecian cities |
In the middle of the city, an acropolis of stone walls was erected to act as a shelter during times of war. |
| 16574 |
Subject |
a topic of discussion or written work |
The student wanted to write her research paper on animals, but her teacher asked her to pick another subject. |
| 16575 |
Tidy |
to be orderly and organized |
Showing a tidy house to the potential buyers left a good impression with them as the house had been taken care of. |
| 16576 |
Affiliated |
formally associated with a group or organization |
After being fired, the doctor was no longer affiliated with the hospital. |
| 16577 |
Undulate |
move with a smooth wavelike motion |
The dancers’ movements were arranged so that they seemed to undulate like dolphins with the music. |
| 16578 |
Shortening |
a butter-like fat used in baking, especially pastries |
Instead of butter, the chef greased the pan with a bit of shortening before he began sautéing his dish. |
| 16579 |
Contender |
someone or something that opposes another in the pursuit of the same goal |
In a game of basketball, each team is a contender to the other, playing against each other for victory. |
| 16580 |
Printed |
produced written or visual information (books, pictures, a letter) |
Ricky printed a love letter for Rhonda, writing down every word that he felt from the heart. |
| 16581 |
Grope |
to feel around blindly for something |
The homeowner began to grope around in the dark in search of a flashlight or candle. |
| 16582 |
Miraculous |
astounding in a way that suggests a miracle |
Her miraculous recovery surprised the hospital staff. |
| 16583 |
Rumor |
gossip or a story that is circulating but not confirmed as true |
Like junior high school girls, the gossiping women spread the malicious rumor all around the office tower. |
| 16584 |
Imperfect |
not perfect |
After misrepresenting herself on her resume, it was obvious to the company that she was really an imperfect candidate for the job. |
| 16585 |
Blog |
to add updated information to an online website (blog) that contains personal opinions and comments |
Lisa likes to blog about cooking, so most of the content she adds to her website is recipes. |
| 16586 |
Auxiliary |
a group or team that provides assistance |
When my grandmother retired, she joined the hospital auxiliary team that visited lonely patients. |
| 16587 |
Kicked |
to be forcibly struck with the foot or leg |
The karate master lifted his leg into the air and kicked his opponent in the head with enough force to knock him out. |
| 16588 |
Checklist |
a list of required items or things that need to get done |
The maid uses a checklist of scrubbing supplies when shopping for things she needs to clean the house. |
| 16589 |
Effulgent |
glowing; radiant |
The effulgent sun was shining brightly as we headed out for our picnic. |
| 16590 |
Sum |
an amount added together |
The total sum of money from the tennis tournament equals over three thousand dollars. |
| 16591 |
Primogeniture |
the state of being the firstborn child; an exclusive right of inheritance belonging to the eldest son |
Although they were twins, the system of primogeniture awarded the estate to the boy who was born first. |
| 16592 |
One-dimensional |
superficial; lacking depth |
After several dates with the shallow woman, Leo decided he couldn’t date someone so one-dimensional. |
| 16593 |
Oblation |
a sacrifice offered to God or a god |
Moses was prepared to offer his son as an oblation to God, but the Lord told him to use a lamb as a sacrifice instead. |
| 16594 |
Stoop |
a place to sit that usually is taller than a chair and does not have a back to it |
The interior designer placed a stool at the breakfast bar in the newly remodeled kitchen. |
| 16595 |
Wayward |
off the expected path |
We went wayward on our journey and arrived two hours late. |
| 16596 |
Mallet |
a hammer with a typically wooden head that is used for hitting a chisel |
With a mallet and a chisel, a skilled sculptor can turn a block of stone into a fantastic statue worthy of being in a museum. |
| 16597 |
Medicare |
a free health insurance program in the United States for older or disabled people |
Since my elderly mother has poor health, Medicare is her supplier of health care should she need medical attention. |
| 16598 |
Disbar |
to exclude someone |
If Regina continues to try and cheat, we will have to disbar her from the competition. |
| 16599 |
Forswear |
to swear off a certain behavior or a certain belief |
After Gail was beaten up by her boyfriend, she decided to forswear her loyalty and call the police. |
| 16600 |
Amputate |
to surgically cut off a limb |
With a deadly disease slowly crawling up the patient’s leg, the doctors had no choice but to amputate it below the knee. |
| 16601 |
Resurrection |
the act of bringing a person who died back alive again |
People believe that Christianity evolved from the resurrection of Christ’s body from the Earth. |
| 16602 |
Peppy |
energetic and high-spirited |
The cheerleader was overly peppy at the football game in an effort to pump up the crowd. |
| 16603 |
Compost |
decayed material (i.e., leaves, food peelings) that is used as a fertilizer |
Al created a compost pile in his garden and used the decaying leaves and grass to help his trees grow. |
| 16604 |
Enjoyable |
entertaining; pleasurable |
Going to the beach is usually enjoyable, but today’s heat wave took away from the fun. |
| 16605 |
Cupid |
child with bow and arrow as representation of love |
Cupid is believed to shoot love arrows at single men and women on Valentine’s Day. |
| 16606 |
Custody |
control and care of a particular person or object |
Custody was awarded to the children’s father when their mother entered a drug treatment facility. |
| 16607 |
Column |
a-pillar or post that stands upright and is shaped like a cylinder |
Each column of the tall plantation home had lights wrapped around its cylindrical form. |
| 16608 |
Troglodyte |
a reclusive individual that shuns society and actively enjoys solitude |
The famous writer was a well-known troglodyte who holed up in a cabin for months at a time without a single visitor. |
| 16609 |
Slumgullion |
a cheap stew that is made of meat and vegetables but is thin like water |
The poof family could only afford to make slumgullion and slurped the thin stew at every meal. |
| 16610 |
Importunate |
demanding in an annoying way |
My mother left her husband because he was an importunate man who treated her like an unpaid servant. |
| 16611 |
Humiliate |
to harm an individual’s self-respect or dignity |
The teacher attempted to humiliate me in class by sharing my low test grade with my peers. |
| 16612 |
Grabbed |
to have been grasped or seized |
The two infants started screaming at each other because they had both grabbed the same toy at the same time. |
| 16613 |
Cure |
to bring about good health after an illness or a disease |
Gene replacement therapy seems promising in regards to the treatment and cure for various diseases. |
| 16614 |
Should |
ought to |
Children should go to school because they need the education to get a good job. |
| 16615 |
Rhetorical |
relating to the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing |
Despite their rhetorical differences with style, both speakers cover similar topics during their speeches. |
| 16616 |
Flak |
adverse criticism |
The unhappy customer gave George flak for the long wait time. |
| 16617 |
Zany |
unique and amusing |
The comedian’s zany performances are hilarious and never fail to engage the audience. |
| 16618 |
Aggrieve |
to badly mistreat/make upset |
If the boy insults my mother and continues to tease and taunt me, he would prove he knows how to aggrieve me. |
| 16619 |
Kismet |
inescapable fate |
Perhaps it was kismet Jim won the lottery right after he lost his job. |
| 16620 |
Bipartisan |
relating to supporters of two unlike groups |
It will take a bipartisan effort to turn the bill into a law. |
| 16621 |
Conceded |
yielded; surrendered |
The repo man went to get the car in question, and the owner surprisingly conceded it without a fight. |
| 16622 |
Pitter-patter |
a sound of light or quick taps |
Mother could hear the exciting pitter-patter of her toddler’s feet scurrying down the hall early Christmas morning. |
| 16623 |
Outing |
a one day trip taken for fun |
We enjoyed the first part of our outing, but the second leg of the excursion to the beach was ruined by a rainstorm. |
| 16624 |
Heptagon |
a seven sided shape |
A heptagon shaped snowflake fell slowly, with its seven sides disappearing before it reached the ground. |
| 16625 |
Belay |
tying a rope to an object to to keep it steady or down. occassionally used to reference climbers who tie ropes to rocks to belay down the mountainside |
The teenagers belay their surfboards to the top of the car with bungee cords before heading to the beach. |
| 16626 |
Freakish |
strange; outlandish; peculiar to the point of being scary |
As the sky turned a dark green and the clouds moved very fast, the sudden freakish weather frightened everyone and forced them indoors. |
| 16627 |
Reformer |
a person who makes changes to something in order to make it better |
The president tried to present himself as a reformer who will bring the country back to greatness. |
| 16628 |
Permeable |
that absorbs or allows the passage of fluids or gases |
The permeable material allowed a large amount of water to seep through. |
| 16629 |
Nephew |
a son of one’s brother or sister |
My sister enjoys keeping her nephew in the afternoons and it helps me get work done as well. |
| 16630 |
Funeral |
a ceremony held by family members to honor and bid farewell to the deceased |
We have to hold a funeral for my Uncle, who died a few days ago, but I don’t have any black clothes to wear to it. |
| 16631 |
Flunky |
a person who serves someone else by doing menial tasks |
The flunky ran around the city looking for fresh coffee, donuts, and other things his boss added to the ‘to-do’ list. |
| 16632 |
Repulsed |
disgusted by or having an extreme dislike for something |
Repulsed by rodents of any kind, Kyra refused to look at the disgusting mice in the pet store window. |
| 16633 |
Orifice |
an opening or cavity through which things move |
Your mouth is an orifice through which food and beverages travel into your body. |
| 16634 |
Diplomacy |
the management of relationships between the governments of different countries |
My aunt was an ambassador who worked on the diplomacy between America and France. |
| 16635 |
Coupe |
a specific car design with a fixed roof and two doors |
In order for a car to be a coupe, it cannot have a retractable roof or four doors. |
| 16636 |
Pitcher |
a large container with a handle and a spout used for holding liquid |
Because mine is the best, Mom asked me to make a pitcher of sweet tea to serve our guests. |
| 16637 |
Sham |
a fake; an imitation that purports to be genuine |
When we found out that the engagement was just a sham, we were very upset. |
| 16638 |
Relish |
have a fondness for |
After a long day at work, there is nothing I relish more than a long hot bath. |
| 16639 |
Interlock |
to link or connect two or more things together |
Because they were designed to interlock, the puzzle pieces snap together perfectly. |
| 16640 |
Gnash |
grind (one’s teeth) together, typically as a sign of anger |
The caged tigers gnash their teeth and lunge at the bars. |
| 16641 |
Mentorship |
the guidance provided by a person who is experienced or knowledgeable (a mentor) |
Perry has decided to start a mentorship program so he could teach young boys in the neighborhood to play basketball. |
| 16642 |
Amuck |
to behave in a wild, unruly way |
Because his parents do not discipline him, the wild toddler is free to run amuck all over the house. |
| 16643 |
Contraband |
items that are illegally transported |
The inmate’s wife was arrested for trying to bring contraband into the jail. |
| 16644 |
Sepulchral |
extremely gloomy |
The siren would use her voice to lure sailors to their sepulchral deaths. |
| 16645 |
Egalitarian |
symbolized by the idea that all individuals should have the same rights |
The law was written to impose the egalitarian principle that men and women should be treated as equals. |
| 16646 |
Outset |
at the start of something |
Every character at the outset of the book was fully developed so that the reader knew everything about the characters prior to the plot. |
| 16647 |
Commander |
a person in control of a group of people, especially military groups |
The commander ordered the troops to turn back and leave the area. |
| 16648 |
Running |
the action of moving quickly, usually fast on foot |
The marathon sprinter spends all of his evenings running in preparation for his next big race. |
| 16649 |
Affected |
had an effect on; made a difference |
The sugary foods that Donna ate affected her weight, causing her to gain several pounds in two months. |
| 16650 |
Facies |
a body of rock with specified characteristics |
According to the biologist, Sedimentary facies are rocks that are distinct from adjacent sediments. |
| 16651 |
Evade |
to escape or avoid something |
Timmy would evade his father’s questions about the missing money by changing the topic of conversation. |
| 16652 |
Lassitude |
tiredness and a lack of energy |
After the long race, Jack experienced a feeling of lassitude. |
| 16653 |
Commentator |
a reporter of the news or sporting events |
While watching the football game on the television, a commentator discussed each play that the football players completed. |
| 16654 |
Installation |
a military or industrial establishment |
The military installation is a large base with several defensive structures and command centers for planning attacks. |
| 16655 |
Unconfined |
liberated and freed |
Any unconfined zoo animal will have trouble surviving in the wild because it has been contained and trained for so long. |
| 16656 |
Uneven |
not balanced or symmetrical |
Because the table legs were uneven, it rocked back and forth anytime something was placed on it. |
| 16657 |
Apoplectic |
incredibly angry |
The victim’s family was apoplectic when the case against their son’s killer was dismissed. |
| 16658 |
Wrought |
prepared in some manner, usually by hammering or applying another type of pressure |
As we stared at the wrought iron gate, we could not help but wonder about the craftsman who had created the masterpiece. |
| 16659 |
Largesse |
generous acts of giving gifts or money to a large number of people |
Because of the millionaire’s largesse, twenty underprivileged graduates now have college scholarships. |
| 16660 |
Landing |
an instance of coming or bringing something to land or the bottom of a surface |
The plane came in for an emergency landing, settling in a field after one of its engines failed. |
| 16661 |
Unnoticeable |
not easily seen or observed |
By hiding behind a bush outside of the celebrity’s home, the crazed fan was able to remain unnoticeable by security. |
| 16662 |
Confrontation |
the act of confronting or challenging another especially face to face |
She had a heated confrontation with her parents over homework. |
| 16663 |
Lubricious |
having an oily and smooth quality |
The other sun-bathers admired the woman’s gleaming and lubricious skin. |
| 16664 |
Leader |
the person in charge that leads others |
As the leader of the club, the mentor helped the other writers better their skills. |
| 16665 |
Violate |
to break or fail to comply with a rule or formal agreement |
The driver continued to violate the speed limits as he raced his car down the city streets. |
| 16666 |
Osmosis |
the capability to comprehend things without exertion |
Because Gail never studies but always does well on exams, she must learn through osmosis. |
| 16667 |
Commemorate |
to do something special as a means of tribute or recognition |
The general will commemorate the soldier’s act of heroism by presenting him with a medal. |
| 16668 |
Tome |
a huge educational written work |
At the exhibit of the Templeton Historical Museum, it displayed a scene of a small room including a bed, chest and tome on the small desk. |
| 16669 |
Rampart |
a fortified wall or embankment that serves as a protective barrier |
Soldiers formed a rampart around the city in order to protect Jericho from being overtaken. |
| 16670 |
Kneel |
to bend down on ones knees |
The knight continued to kneel as the queen presented him with an award. |
| 16671 |
Generality |
an offhand comment not backed up by facts |
The presidential candidate made a generality about the growing dangers of global warming without offering any statistics. |
| 16672 |
Idolize |
to adore, admire, or love greatly |
The teen had begun to idolize the pop singer and had posters of them plastering her bedroom walls. |
| 16673 |
Repletion |
becoming completely full of something |
Repletion of the water jug took a long time since the water poured out of the faucet slowly. |
| 16674 |
Waxing |
the process of covering a surface with wax in order to protect it or make it shine |
Waxing the floor will help protect it from scratches during moving. |
| 16675 |
Enact |
to authorize as a law or decree |
Congress hopes to enact a law that will increase the consequences of drunk driving. |
| 16676 |
Helium |
a gas that is used to inflate balloons, found in lamps, and used in cryogenic research |
Balloons filled with helium floated up to the ceiling of the building. |
| 16677 |
Conjugal |
of or relating to marriage, or the relationship of spouses |
The inmate received weekly conjugal visits from his wife. |
| 16678 |
Subdivision |
the action of dividing a greater whole into smaller parts |
Because the math problem was so large, Matt used subdivision to break it down into smaller parts he could understand. |
| 16679 |
Phobic |
having or involving an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something |
A snake phobic since the age of twelve, a fearful Sandy couldn’t stand the sight of anything that slithered on the ground. |
| 16680 |
Neatness |
the act of being tidy and orderly |
Alan suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder due to his desire to have extreme neatness in the house at all times. |
| 16681 |
Distal |
something that is distant from something else |
The paramedics were concerned with their patient’s distal pulse because there was a lot of time between beats. |
| 16682 |
Sully |
to ruin or damage |
The accusation of child abuse is sure to sully the teacher’s reputation and cause him his job. |
| 16683 |
Epicenter |
central point of something |
Because Dan was unlucky enough to be standing on the epicenter of an enormous earthquake, he was killed on the spot. |
| 16684 |
Ipso facto |
a statement meaning “by that very fact or act” or “it must be true because of” |
There are many more men in Alaska than there are women, ipso facto marriage comes easier for a lady. |
| 16685 |
Viewing |
looking at, watching something |
Several couples have called the realtor about viewing the home, but only one has actually shown to look. |
| 16686 |
Associated |
linked to; connected |
Smoking is associated with several diseases including lung cancer and high blood pressure. |
| 16687 |
Possess |
to have or own something |
Most families in America possess at least one car, but many have two. |
| 16688 |
Eye candy |
something visually appealing that brings pleasure without stimulating the brain |
Many think of Channing Tatum as nothing more than eye candy, but he’s actually a talented dancer and photographer as well as an actor. |
| 16689 |
Prokaryote |
a single-celled organism (such as bacteria) that lacks a nucleus and cannot be seen with the naked-eye |
The scientist studied the prokaryote under the microscope to see if its single-cell would multiply in certain conditions. |
| 16690 |
Celerity |
quickness of motion; speed |
The slave will be punished if his celerity is not fast enough for his master. |
| 16691 |
Skulduggery |
behavior characterized by tricking someone into something or cheating them through lies or misinformation |
The insurance company was investigated by the FBI after claims of skulduggery and cheating customers was reported. |
| 16692 |
Portrayal |
a depiction of someone or something in a work of art or literature |
Jamie Foxx’s portrayal of Ray Charles in ‘Ray’ was uncanny since he looked and sang just like the blind musician. |
| 16693 |
Euphoric |
intensely excited or happy |
Because he had been expecting a low grade, Kurt was euphoric to find out that he had done much better on his test than he had predicted. |
| 16694 |
Included |
contained as part of a bigger whole |
Our all-inclusive trip to the resort included not only our flights and room but also food and drinks. |
| 16695 |
Recourse |
options or assistance during a difficult period or situation |
Before hospitals, midwives were often the only recourse for expectant mothers. |
| 16696 |
Flimsy |
likely to bend or break under pressure; weak, shaky, flexible, or fragile |
Don’t give me the flimsy excuse that you were too deep asleep to hear the phone ringing. |
| 16697 |
Iniquity |
extremely immoral or unfair behavior |
Those who are quick to criticize the bad deeds of others should first look at their own acts of iniquity. |
| 16698 |
Rafters |
sloping wooden beams that support a roof |
The wooden rafters holding up the tilting roof up were the last bit of structure still standing after the tornado ripped the building apart. |
| 16699 |
Incense |
to make very angry |
News of the salary reduction is sure to incense the workers. |
| 16700 |
Certain |
absolute, without question |
Science has proven that it is absolutely certain that the sun is what allows us all to stay alive here on planet Earth. |
| 16701 |
Controlled |
decided or strongly influenced others or outside events |
Mr. Walton once controlled every aspect of his company but has now given the reigns to his oldest son. |
| 16702 |
Oxidation |
the result of a substance coming into contact with oxygen, generating a deficit of electrons |
During oxidation, the oxygen caused the paint to peel off the metal rod. |
| 16703 |
Manacle |
an item that functions as a control or restraint |
The manacle will keep the dog from leaving the front yard. |
| 16704 |
Undesirability |
the quality of being unwanted or desired |
The product’s undesirability caused it to sit on the shelf week after week. |
| 16705 |
Vitriolic |
harsh or corrosive in tone |
What was supposed to be a civil debate turned into a debate reaching vitriolic levels, ending with both participants screaming obscenities. |
| 16706 |
Thin |
skinny; slender |
The skinny ballerina’s bones seemed to poke through her thin skin. |
| 16707 |
Outspoken |
opinionated and frank |
Several of the outspoken candidates resorted to name calling during the presidential debate. |
| 16708 |
Disloyalty |
betrayal or deceit of someone that trusts you |
The disloyalty of Benedict Arnold during the Revolutionary War has made him one of history’s most infamous traitors. |
| 16709 |
Regression |
the act of returning to a prior state |
When my teenager does not get his way, he undergoes regression and starts to act like an upset toddler. |
| 16710 |
Infirmity |
physical/mental weakness or disability |
He felt sorry for his uncle, feeling the alcoholism was a serious infirmity. |
| 16711 |
Forklift |
a truck-like device with two long spikes used for picking up and moving heavy things |
Using the forklift, the construction worker used the gears to move the prongs under and heavy box to a higher shelf. |
| 16712 |
Renounce |
to formally reject something or someone |
When Hector tried to renounce his membership in the gang, the group’s leader threatened him. |
| 16713 |
Glacier |
a sizable piece of ice that travels in a downward path over a broad land area |
The glaciologist spent thirty years studying the path of the slow-moving glacier. |
| 16714 |
Incurable |
not having the ability to be remedied or healed |
When Sally found out she had an incurable and terminal disease, her family decided to help her do everything on her bucket list before she died. |
| 16715 |
Seer |
a person who claims to be able to see the future |
Being a seer, the man’s wife knew that destruction would befall their family the following week. |
| 16716 |
Geocentric |
describes something that considers the earth its center |
For years, people believed in a geocentric model in which the earth is at the center of the universe. |
| 16717 |
Hankering |
to have an endless craving for or to do something |
I hope my husband has a hankering for fried chicken since that’s what we’re having for dinner. |
| 16718 |
Shadowy |
gloomy, poorly lit and dark |
In the shadowy pathway, it was difficult to see in front of you without a flashlight. |
| 16719 |
Substantive |
associated with issues of key importance; meaningful |
As a busy employee, Phil is tired of attending monthly meetings that are not substantive to his work. |
| 16720 |
Feverish |
frenzied with excitement or energy |
The crowd’s feverish enthusiasm filled the arena as the players jogged to the center of the court. |
| 16721 |
Derived |
obtained or gained from a specific source or origin |
Although he’s still sad his mother is gone, Jason derived great comfort in knowing that she in heaven. |
| 16722 |
Resistance |
the effort made to prevent something from happening or someone from accomplishing something |
The peaceful activist urged his followers to refrain from any acts of resistance if they were arrested. |
| 16723 |
Vergence |
the simultaneous movement of the pupils of the eyes toward or away from one another during focusing |
The optometrist explained that during vergence, the eyes move inwardly in opposite directions to focus on an object. |
| 16724 |
Unassuming |
not putting on airs; modest |
The unassuming actor personally responds to his fan mail. |
| 16725 |
Disembodied |
without a body or physical presence |
As I walked in the store, I was welcomed by the disembodied voice of a person I couldn’t see. |
| 16726 |
Bride’s maid |
a woman who is an assistant to another woman on her wedding day (a bride) |
The bride’s maid is in charge of planning the bride’s party before her big event. |
| 16727 |
Opted |
made a choice from various options |
The customer opted out of the extra insurance purchase and decided to stick with the most basic coverage. |
| 16728 |
Acquisition |
the thing acquired or gained; a gain. |
Because he was marrying her, there would be an acquisition of all of her real estate. |
| 16729 |
Libelous |
concerning a written statement which wrongly accuses someone of something |
A letter was sent to the libelous newspaper forcing them to remove all of the untrue articles from their website. |
| 16730 |
Canvass |
to seek out support from people |
Right before the election, a team of volunteers will canvass the town for the Democratic Party. |
| 16731 |
Intermission |
a scheduled break of about 10 to 15 minutes in the middle of a play, movie or concert |
The woman quickly consumed the candy and drink during the play’s intermission because she could not take it back in the theater. |
| 16732 |
Surpass |
to exceed or do better |
Since my husband is very competitive, I know he will try and surpass my videogame score. |
| 16733 |
Thunder |
the crackling or roaring sound in weather occurring sometimes with lightning |
During the storm, the thunder crashed while the lightning lit up the sky against a dark background. |
| 16734 |
Writ |
the power to enforce submission and compliance |
It is beyond the writ of adults to punish children that are not their own for misbehavior regardless of how bad it is. |
| 16735 |
Bruise |
a blue and black mark on the skin that is an injury |
After falling down the wooden stairs, the boy had a noticeable dark bruise on his leg when it hit one of the railings. |
| 16736 |
Substantiate |
to prove the truth of something |
To get a good grade on the research project, you must substantiate your report with provable facts. |
| 16737 |
Wait |
a delay or pause in an event or happening |
The wait almost killed us because everyone wanted to know if Matilda was pregnant or not, but we wouldn’t know for ten minutes. |
| 16738 |
Guess |
to give a response to a question or situation when you don’t really know the answer |
The professor had us guess the answer to the question even though we weren’t totally sure. |
| 16739 |
Surety |
money or something valuable given as collateral |
I gave Gabby my favorite brand name watch as surety that I would repay her for the money I borrowed. |
| 16740 |
Demonstrated |
showed how; presented |
The nurse demonstrated how to do CPR to the students in her class. |
| 16741 |
Oomph $MMT = window.$MMT || {}; $MMT.cmd = $MMT.cmd || [];$MMT.cmd.push(function(){ $MMT.display.slots.push([“8f1244f6-5306-4bbe-9562-fc5ef7966ac2”]); }) Prev Word Next Word |
strength, power, passion or effectiveness |
You need to put some oomph into your acting. |
| 16742 |
Contributed |
helped; aided |
Tia and her mother contributed to the mayor’s campaign by raising money for him. |
| 16743 |
Beatific |
heavenly or blessed |
The bride looked angelic and wore a beatific expression as she walked down the aisle. |
| 16744 |
Practical |
sensible |
The practical solu |
