Magoosh GRE Flashcards Advance - Indexcards.pdf

abjure

1a

verb: formally reject or give up (as a belief)

Synonyms : forswear , recant , resile , retract

While the church believed that Galileo abjuredthe heliocentric theory under threat of torture, helater wrote a book clearly supporting the theory.

1b

abrogate

2a

verb: revoke formally

As part of the agreement between thelabor union and the company, theworkers abrogated their right to strike forfour years in exchange for better healthinsurance.

2b

adjudicate

3a

verb: to serve as a judge in a competition; toarrive at a judgment or conclusion

Synonyms : decide , resolve , settle,judge , try

Only those with the most refined palates wereable to adjudicate during the barbequecompetition.

3b

afford

4a

verb: provide with an opportunity

The summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro affords apanoramic view that encompasses both Tanzaniaand Kenya.

This word has other definitions but this is themost important one to study

4b

alacrity

5a

noun: an eager willingness to do something

Synonyms : briskness , smartness

The first three weeks at his new job, Mark workedwith such alacrity that upper management knewit would be giving him a promotion.

5b

anachronism

6a

noun: something that is inappropriate for thegiven time period (usually something old).

Synonyms : misdating , mistiming

Dressed in 15th century clothing each day,Edward was a walking anachronism.

6b

anathema

7a

noun: a detested person; the source ofsomebody's hate

Synonyms : bete noire

Hundreds of years ago, Galileo was anathema tothe church; today the church is anathema tosome on the left side of the political spectrum.

7b

anemic

8a

adjective: lacking energy and vigor

Synonyms : anaemic

After three straight shows, the lead actress gavean anemic performance the fourth night, barelyspeaking loudly enough for those in the backrows to hear.

8b

anodyne

9a

noun: something that soothes or relieves pain

Synonyms : analgesic , pain pill , painkiller

Muzak, which is played in department stores, is intended to be an anodyne, butis often so cheesy and over-the-top that customers become irritated.

adjective: inoffensive

Synonyms : analgesic , analgetic

Wilbur enjoyed a spicy Mexican breakfast, but Jill preferred a far more anodynemeal in the mornings.

9b

antic

10a

adjective: ludicrously odd

Synonyms : fantastic , fantastical , grotesque

The clown's antic act was too extreme for theyoungest children, who left the room in tears.

This word has other definitions but this is the mostimportant one to study

10b

aplomb

11a

noun: great coolness and composure under strain

Synonyms : assuredness , cool , poise , sang-froid

Nancy acted with aplomb during dangeroussituations--she once calmly climbed up an oaktree to save a cat.

11b

apogee

12a

noun: the highest point

Synonyms : culmination

The apogee of the Viennese style of music,Mozart's music continues to mesmerizeaudiences well into the 21st century.

12b

apostate

13a

noun: a person who has abandoned a religious faithor cause

Synonyms : deserter , ratter , recreant , renegade ,turncoat

An apostate of the Republican Party, Sheldon has yetto become affiliated with any party and dubs himselfan independent.

13b

apothegm

14a

noun: a short, pithy instructive saying

Synonyms : aphorism , apophthegm

Winston Churchill is famous for many apothegms,but this might be his most famous: "It has been saidthat democracy is the worst form of governmentexcept all the others that have been tried."

14b

apotheosis

15a

noun: exaltation to divine status; the highest point ofdevelopment

Synonyms : ideal , nonesuch , nonpareil , nonsuch ,paragon , saint,deification , exaltation

As difficult as it is to imagine, the apotheosis of MarkZuckerberg's career, many believe, is yet to come.

15b

approbatory

16a

adjective: expressing praise or approval

Synonyms : affirmative , approbative , approving, plausive

Although it might not be her best work, Hunter'snew novel has received generally approbatoryreviews.

16b

appropriate

17a

verb: to give or take something by force

Synonyms : allow , earmark , reserve , set aside,capture , conquer , seize

The government appropriated land that was occupied by squatters, sendingthem scurrying for another place to live.verb: to allocate

The committe appropriated the funds to its various members.This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study

17b

appurtenant

18a

adjective: supply added support

Synonyms : accessory , adjunct , adjuvant ,ancillary , auxiliary

In hiking Mt. Everest, sherpas are appurtenant,helping climbers both carry gear and navigatetreacherous paths.

18b

arch

19a

adjective: to be deliberately teasing

Synonyms : condescending , patronising , patronizing

The baroness was arch, making playful asides to thetownspeople; yet because they couldn't pick up on her dryhumor, they thought her supercilious.


19b

arrant

20a

adjective: complete and wholly (usually modifying a nounwith negative connotation)

Synonyms : complete , consummate , double-dyed ,everlasting , gross , perfect , pure , sodding , staring , stark ,thoroughgoing , unadulterated , utter

An arrant fool, Lawrence surprised nobody when he lost allhis money in a pyramid scheme that was every bit astransparent as it was corrupt.

20b

arriviste

21a

noun: a person who has recently reached aposition of power; a social climber

Synonyms : nouveau-riche , parvenu , upstart

The city center was aflutter with arrivistes whoeach tried to outdo one another with theirostentatious sports cars and chic evening dress.

21b

arrogate

22a

verb: seize and control without authority

Synonyms : assume , seize , take over , usurp

Arriving at the small town, the outlaw arrogatedthe privileges of a lord, asking the frightenedcitizens to provide food, drink, andentertainment.

22b

artifice

23a

noun: cunning tricks used to deceive others

Synonyms : ruse

The mayoral candidates both spent much of thecampaign accusing each other of artificesdesigned to mislead the voting public.

23b

artless

24a

adjective: without cunning or deceit

Synonyms : uncultivated , uncultured

Despite the president's seemingly artlessspeeches, he was a skilled and ruthlessnegotiator.

24b

artlessness

25a

noun: the quality of innocence

Synonyms : ingenuousness , innocence ,naturalness

I, personally, found the artlessness of herspeech charming.

25b

asperity

26a

noun: harshness of manner

Synonyms : sharpness

The editor was known for his asperity,often sending severe letters of rejectionto amateur writers.

26b

assiduously

27a

adverb: with care and persistence

The top college football program recruitsnew talent assiduously, only choosingthose who were the top in their county.

27b

atavism

28a

noun: a reappearance of an earliercharacteristic; throwback

Synonyms : reversion , throwback

Much of the modern art movement was anatavism to a style of art found only in smallvillages through Africa and South America.

28b

attenuate

29a

verb: to weaken (in terms of intensity); to taperoff/become thinner.

Synonyms : rarefy

Her animosity towards Bob attenuated over theyears, and she even went so far as to invite him toher party.

29b

autocratic

30a

adjective: characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule; having absolutesovereignty

Synonyms : authoritarian , despotic , dictatorial , tyrannic , tyrannical

The last true autocratic country is certainly North Korea; nowhere does a leaderexercise the absolute control over all aspects of a people the way that Kim Jong-undoes.

adjective: offensively self-assured or given to exercising usually unwarranted power

Synonyms : bossy , dominating , high-and-mighty , magisterial , peremptory

The manager was finally fired for his autocratic leadership, which often bordered onrude and offensive.

30b

baleful

31a

adjective: threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragicdevelopments

Synonyms : forbidding , menacing , minacious ,minatory , ominous , sinister , threatening

Movies often use storms or rain clouds as a balefulomen of evil events that will soon befall the maincharacter.

31b

base

32a

adjective: the lowest, class were without any moral principles

Synonyms : foot , foundation , fundament , groundwork ,substructure , understructure

She was not so base as to begrudge the beggar the unwantedcrumbs from her dinner plate.

This word has other definitions but this is the most importantone to study

32b

bastardization

33a

noun: an act that debases or corrupts

Synonyms : bastardisation

The movie World War Z is a completebastardization of the book with little morein common than zombies and a title.

33b

beg

34a

verb: to evade or dodge (a question)

By assuming that Charlie was headed to college -which he was not - Maggie begged the question whenshe asked him to which school he was headed in theFall.


34b

bemoan

35a

verb: express discontent or a strong regret

Synonyms : bewail , deplore , lament

While the CFO carefully explained all the reasonsfor the cuts in benefits, after the meetingemployees bemoaned the cuts as further evidencethat management was against them.

35b

benighted

36a

adjective: fallen into a state of ignorance

Synonyms : nighted,dark

Far from being a period of utter benightedness,The Medieval Ages produced some great works oftheological speculation.

36b

bereft

37a

adjective: unhappy in love; suffering from unrequited love

Synonyms : lovelorn , unbeloved

After 64 years of marriage, William was bereft after the death of his wife.

adjective: sorrowful through loss or deprivation

Synonyms : bereaved , grief-stricken , grieving , mourning , sorrowing

"You are not bereft if you haven't played on your Xbox in the past week," hismother said.

37b

besotted

38a

adjective: strongly affectionate towards

Even though her father did not approve, Juliet became besotted with the youngRomeo.

adjective: very drunk

Synonyms : blind drunk , blotto , cockeyed , crocked , fuddled , loaded , pie-eyed, pissed , pixilated , plastered , slopped , sloshed , smashed , soaked , soused ,sozzled , squiffy , stiff , tight , wet

Never before have I seen my mom so besotted, and honestly, I hope it's the lasttime she drinks so much.

38b

bilious

39a

adjective: irritable; always angry

Synonyms : atrabilious , dyspeptic , liverish

Rex was bilious all morning, and his face wouldonly take on a look of contentedness when he'dhad his morning cup of coffee.

39b

blinkered

40a

adjective: to have a limited outlook orunderstanding

In gambling, the addict is easily blinkered by pastsuccesses and/or past failures, forgetting that theoutcome of any one game is independent of thegames that preceded it.

40b

bowdlerize

41a

verb: edit by omitting or modifying parts consideredindelicate

Synonyms : bowdlerise , castrate , expurgate , shorten

To receive an R rating, the entire movie wasbowdlerized because it contained so much violenceand grotesque subject matter.

41b

bridle

42a

verb: the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess

Synonyms : check , curb

New curfew laws have bridled people's tendency to go out atnight.

verb: anger or take offense

The hostess bridled at the tactless dinner guests who insistedon eating before everybody had gotten their food.

42b

bristle

43a

verb: react in an offended or angry manner

Synonyms : abound , burst

As we discussed the painting, I noticed theartist's wife bristling at our criticisms, ready todefend her husband's work.

43b

broadside

44a

noun: a strong verbal attack

Synonyms : bill , broadsheet , circular , flier ,flyer , handbill , throwaway

Political broadsides are usually strongest in theweeks leading up to a national election.

44b

bromide

45a

noun: a trite or obvious remark

Synonyms : banality , cliche , commonplace ,platitude

Instead of sharing his umbrella, the cheekystranger offered Martha the following bromide:"Looks like it's raining."

45b

brook

46a

verb: put up with something or somebody unpleasant

Synonyms : abide , bear , digest , endure , put up , stand ,stick out , stomach , suffer , support , tolerate

While she was at the chalkboard, the teacher did not brookany form of talking--even a tiny peep resulted in afternoondetention.This word has other definitions but this is the mostimportant one to study

46b

browbeat

47a

verb: be bossy towards; discourage or frightenwith threats or a domineering manner

Synonyms : ballyrag , boss around , bully ,bullyrag , hector , push around , strong-arm

During the interrogation, the suspect wasbrowbeaten into signing a false confession.

47b

byzantine

48a

adjective: intricate and complex

Synonyms : convoluted , involved , knotty , tangled ,tortuous

Getting a driver's license is not simply a matter oftaking a test; the regulations and procedures are sobyzantine that many have found themselves at themercy of the Department of Motor Vehicles.

48b

callow

49a

adjective: young and inexperienced

Synonyms : fledgling , unfledged

Both Los Angeles and New York areknown for callow out-of-towners hopingto make it big.

49b

canard

50a

noun: a deliberately misleadingfabrication

The public will always be fooled by themedia's canards.

50b

capitulate

51a

noun: to surrender (usually under agreedconditions)

Paul, losing 19-0 in a ping-pong match againsthis nimble friend, basically capitulated when heplayed the last two points with his eyes closed.

51b

cataclysm

52a

noun: an event resulting in great loss and misfortune

Synonyms : calamity , catastrophe , disaster , tragedy

The introduction of smallpox was a cataclysm forNative Americans, killing off more than half of theirpopulation.

52b

catholic

53a

adjective: of broad scope; universal

Jonah's friends said that Jonah's taste in musicwas eclectic; Jonah was quick to point out thatnot only was his taste eclectic but it was alsocatholic: he enjoyed music from countries as far-flung as Mali and Mongolia.

53b

cede

54a

verb: relinquish possession or control ove

Synonyms : deliver , give up , surrenderr

Eventually, all parents must cede control of theirgrowing childrens' educations and allow theiroffspring some autonomy.

54b

celerity

55a

noun: speed, rapidity

Synonyms : quickness , rapidity , rapidness ,speediness

We aim to respond to customers' questions withcelerity and accuracy, with no longer than a 24hour wait time.

55b

chagrin

56a

noun: strong feelings of embarrassment

Synonyms : humiliation , mortification

Much to the timid writer's chagrin, the audience chanted his name until hecame back on the stage.

verb: cause to feel shame; hurt the pride o

Synonyms : abase , humble , humiliate , mortifyf

She never cared what others said about her appearance but was chagrined bythe smallest comment from her mother.

56b

charlatan

57a

noun: a flamboyant deceiver; one who attractscustomers with tricks or jokes

Synonyms : mountebank

You may call him a "motivational speaker," but Icall him a charlatan--he doesn't have any ideawhat he's really talking about.

57b

chary

58a

adjective: cautious, suspiciously reluctant to dosomething

Synonyms : cagey , cagy

Having received three speeding tickets in the last twomonths, Jack was chary of driving at all above thespeed limit, even on a straight stretch of highway thatlooked empty for miles ahead.

58b

chastise

59a

verb: to reprimand harshly

Synonyms : castigate , chasten , correct , objurgate

Though chastised for eating the snacks for the party,Lawrence shrugged off his mother's harsh words, andcontinued to plow through jars of cookies and boxesof donuts.

59b

chauvinism

60a

noun: fanatical patriotism; belief that one's group/cause issuperior to all other groups/causes

Synonyms : jingoism , superpatriotism , ultranationalism

Vegetarians argue that man is chauvinistic in his belief thatanimals do not consciously feel the pain we humans do.


60b

chimera

61a

noun: something desired or wished for but is onlyan illusion and impossible to achieve

Many believe that a world free of war is achimeraa dream that ignores humanity'sviolent tendencies.

61b

choleric

62a

adjective: prone to outbursts of temper; easily angered

Synonyms : hot-tempered , hotheaded , irascible , quick-tempered , short-tempered

While a brilliant lecturer, Mr. Dawson came across as cholericand unapproachable - very rarely did students come to hisoffice hours.

Mnemonic : when you have cholera you become short tempered62b

churlish

63a

adjective: lacking manners or refinement

The manager was unnecessarily churlishto his subordinates, rarely deigning to sayhello, but always quick with a sartorial jabif someone happened to be wearinganything even slightly mismatching.

63b

complaisant

64a

adjective: showing a cheerful willingness to dofavors for others

Synonyms : obliging

On her first day at the job, Annie wascomplaisant, fulfilling every request of her newemployee and anticipating future requests.

64b

complicit

65a

adjective: Associated with or participating in anactivity, especially one of a questionable nature.

While the grand jury cleared the senator of allcriminal charges, in the public mind he was stillcomplicit in the corruption.

65b

conciliate

66a

verb: to make peace with

Synonyms : appease , assuage , gentle , gruntle ,lenify , mollify , pacify , placate

His opponents believed his gesture to beconciliatory, yet as soon as they put down theirweapons, he unsheathed a hidden sword.

66b

concomitant

67a

adjective: describing an event or situation thathappens at the same time as or in connection withanother

Synonyms : accompaniment , attendant , co-occurrence

Concomitant with his desire for nature was a desirefor the culture and energy of a big city.

67b

conflagration

68a

noun: a very intense and uncontrolled fire

Synonyms : inferno

In the summer months, conflagrations arenot uncommon in the southwest, do to theheat and lack of rain.

68b

conflate

69a

verb: mix together different elements or concepts

Synonyms : blend , coalesce , combine , commingle ,flux , fuse , immix , meld , merge , mix

In her recent book, the author conflates severalgenres--the detective story, the teen thriller, and thevampire romance--to create a memorable read.

69b

contentious

70a

adjective: likely to argue

Synonyms : combative , disputatious , disputative ,litigious

Since old grandpa Harry became very contentiousduring the summer when only reruns were on T.V.,the grandkids learned to hide from him at everyopportunity.

70b

corollary

71a

noun: a practical consequence thatfollows naturally

A corollary of Hurricane Sandy, whichravaged the east coast of the U.S., is apush to build higher sea walls to protectagainst future hurricanes.

71b

cosseted

72a

verb: treat with excessive indulgence

The king and queen cosseted the youngprince, giving him a prized miniaturepony for his fifth birthday.

72b

coterminous

73a

adjective: being of equal extent or scope or duration

Synonyms : coextensive , conterminous

The border of the state is coterminous withgeographic limits on travel; the east and north aresurrounded by a nearly uncrossable river and thesouth by a desert.

73b

countermand

74a

verb: a contrary command cancelling orreversing a previous command

By the time the colonel countermandedhis soldiers not to land in enemyterritory, a few helicopters had alreadytouched down amid heavy gunfire.

74b

cow

75a

verb: to intimidate

Synonyms : overawe

Do not be cowed by a 3,000-word vocabulary list:turn that list into a deck of flashcards!


75b

crestfallen

76a

adjective: brought low in spirit

Synonyms : chapfallen , chopfallen , deflated

I asked Maria on a date and she refusedwithout a moment's thought; I wascrestfallen.

76b

crystallize

77a

verb: cause to take on a definite and clear shape

Synonyms : crystalise , crystalize , crystallise

Only after fifteen minutes of brainstorming didSamantha's ideas for the essay crystallize.


77b

cupidity

78a

noun: greed for money

Synonyms : avarice , avariciousness , covetousness

Some believe people that amassing as much wealth aspossible is the meaning to life - yet they often realizethat cupidity brings anything but happiness.

78b

curmudgeon

79a

noun: a grouchy, surly person

Since Uncle Mike was the familycurmudgeon, each Thanksgiving he wasplied with copious amounts of wine, inthe hope that he would become lessgrouchy.

79b

debonair

80a

adjective: having a sophisticated charm

Synonyms : debonaire , debonnaire ,suave

James Bond is known for his good looks,high tech gadgets, and debonair manner.

80b

decry

81a

verb: express strong disapproval of

Synonyms : condemn , excoriate , objurgate ,reprobate

The entire audience erupted in shouts andcurses, decrying the penalty card issued by thereferee.

81b

defray

82a

verb: to help pay the cost of, either inpart of full

In order for Sean to attend theprestigious college, his generous unclehelped defray the excessive tuition with amonthly donation.

82b

deign

83a

verb: do something that one considers tobe below one's dignity

Synonyms : condescend , descend

The master of the house never deigned toanswer questions from the servants.

83b

demonstrative

84a

adjective: given to or marked by the openexpression of emotion

When Sally told James that she wanted to breakup with him, she expected he would reactdemonstratively, but he quietly nodded his headand left without saying a word.

84b

denouement

85a

noun: the final resolution of the manystrands of a literary or dramatic work; theoutcome of a complex sequence of events

At the denouement of the movie, allquestions were answered, and the trueidentity of the robber was revealed.

85b

derelict

86a

adjective: (of a person) not doing one's duties

Synonyms : delinquent , neglectful , remiss

The teacher was derelict in her duties because she hadn'tgraded a single student paper in three weeks.

noun: (of a building) abandoned

At one time the waterfront factories were busy and productive,but now they stand derelict and will be torn down.

86b

desiccated

87a

adjective: uninteresting, lacking vitality

Synonyms : arid , desiccate

Few novelists over 80 are able to produce anything more thandesiccated works-boring shadows of former books.


87b

desideratum

88a

noun: something desired as a necessity

The desideratum of the environmentalgroup is that motorists should rely oncarpooling.

88b

despot

89a

noun: a cruel and oppressive dictator

Synonyms : autocrat , tyrant

The Emperor Claudius was regarded as afair-minded leader; his successor, Nero,was an absolute despot.

89b

diatribe

90a

noun: a strong verbal attack against a person orinstitution

Synonyms : fulmination

Steve's mom launched into a diatribe during the PTAmeeting, contending that the school was little morethan a daycare in which students stare at the walland teachers stare at the chalkboard.

90b

diminutive

91a

noun: to indicate smallness

He prefers to be called a diminutive of his name: "Bill" insteadof "John William."

adjective: very small

Synonyms : bantam , flyspeck , lilliputian , midget , petite , tiny

When he put on his father's suit and shoes, his appearance wasthat of a diminutive youth.

91b

disabuse

92a

verb: to persuade somebody that his/her belief is notvalid

As a child, I was quickly disabused of the notion thatSanta Claus was a rotund benefactor of infinitelargess - one night I saw my mother diligentlywrapping presents and storing them under ourChristmas tree.

92b

discursive

93a

adjective: (of e.g. speech and writing) tending todepart from the main point

Synonyms : digressive , excursive , rambling

Many readers find it tough to read Moby Dick sincethe author is discursive, often cutting the action shortto spend 20 pages on the history of a whale.

93b

disingenuous

94a

adjective: not straightforward; giving a falseappearance of frankness

Synonyms : artful

Many adults think that they can lie to children,but kids are smart and know when people aredisingenuous.

94b

dispensation

95a

noun: an exemption from a rule or obligation

Since her father is a billionaire, she is givendispensation from many of the school's policies.


95b

dissemble

96a

verb: conceal one's true motives, usually throughdeceit

Synonyms : affect , feign , pretend , sham

To get close to the senator, the assassin dissembledhis intentions, convincing many people that he was areporter for a well-known newspaper.

96b

dissipate

97a

verb: squander or spend money frivolously

Synonyms : fool , fool away , fritter , fritter away , frivol away , shoot

The recent graduates dissipated their earnings on trips to Las Vegas and cruisesin Mexico.

verb: to disperse or scatter

Synonyms : break up , dispel , disperse , scatter,spread out

Kathleen's perfume was overwhelming in the cramped apartment, but once westepped outside the smell dissipated and we could breathe once again.

97b

dissolution

98a

noun: a living full of debauchery and indulgence insensual pleasure

Synonyms : dissipation , licentiousness , looseness ,profligacy

Many Roman emperors were known for theirdissolution, indulging in unspeakable desires of theflesh.

98b

doleful

99a

adjective: filled with or evoking sadness

Synonyms : mournful

No event is more doleful than the passing of mymother; she was a shining star in my life, and itbrings me great sadness to think that she is nowgone.

99b

dolorous

100a

adjective: showing sorrow

Synonyms : dolourous , lachrymose , tearful ,weeping

Chopin's ballades are filled with sharp changes inmoods--a dolorous melody can give way to alighthearted tempo.

100b

doughty

101a

adjective: brave; bold; courageous

I enjoy films in which a doughty groupcomes together to battle a force of evil.

101b

dovetail

102a

verb: fit together tightly, as if by means of ainterlocking joint

Synonyms : dovetail joint

Although Darwin's evolution and Mendel'sgenetics were developed in isolation from oneanother, they dovetail very well.

102b

duplicity

103a

noun: deceitfulness, pretending to want one thingbut interested in something else

Synonyms : fraudulence

A life of espionage is one of duplicity: an agentmust pretend to be a totally different person thanwho she or he actually is.

103b

ebullient

104a

adjective: joyously unrestrained

Synonyms : exuberant , high-spirited

Can you blame him for his ebullientmood? He just graduated from medicalschool.

104b

effervescent

105a

adjective: marked by high spirits or excitement

Synonyms : bubbling , frothy , scintillating , sparkly

After the sales result, the manager was in aneffervescent mood, letting several employees leavework early that day.This word has other definitions but this is the mostimportant one to study

105b

effrontery

106a

noun: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that youhave no right to

Synonyms : assumption , presumption ,presumptuousness

The skateboarders acted with effrontery, skatingthrough the church grounds and spray-painting signswarning trespassers.

106b

elegiac

107a

adjective: expressing sorrow

Few can listen to the elegiac openingbars of the Moonlight sonata withoutfeeling the urge to cry.

107b

embryonic

108a

adjective: in an early stage of development

Synonyms : embryotic, embryologic , embryonal

The Board of Directors is hoping to launch a new productsoon, but planning for the Z7 is in an embryonic stages.


108b

empiricism

109a

noun: any method that derives knowledge fromexperience, used in experimental science as a way togain insight and knowledge

Synonyms : empiricist philosophy , sensationalism

Empiricism does not always lead to knowledge; anexperience or experiment may raise more questionsthan it answers.

109b

enamor

110a

verb: attraction or feeling of love

Synonyms : becharm , beguile , bewitch ,captivate , capture , catch , charm , enamour ,enchant , entrance , fascinate , trance

She is completely enamored with Justin Bieber,and goes to all his concerts on the East coast.

110b

encumber

111a

verb: hold back

Synonyms : constrain , cumber , restrain

The costume encumbered all mymovements and caused me to sweatprofusely.

111b

enjoin

112a

verb: give instructions to or direct somebody todo something with authority

Synonyms : order , say , tell

The government agency enjoined the chemicalcompany to clean up the hazardous dump it hadcreated over the years.

112b

enormity

113a

noun: an act of extreme wickedness

Synonyms : outrageousness

The enormity of Pol Pot's regime is hard to capture in words--within months hundreds of thousands of Cambodians losttheir lives.


113b

enthrall

114a

verb: hold spellbound

Synonyms : delight , enchant , enrapture , enthral, ravish , transport

She was so enthralled by the movie that she neverheard people screaming, "Fire! Fire!" in theneighboring theater.

114b

epigram

115a

noun: a witty saying

Synonyms : quip

My favorite epigram from Mark Twain is"A man who carries a cat by the tail learnssomething he can learn no other way."

115b

epiphany

116a

noun: a sudden revelation or moment ofinsight

Gary one day had an epiphany that hewas a people person; he prompty quit hisfactory job and began working as asalesman.

116b

eponym

117a

noun: the name derived from a person(real or imaginary); the person for whomsomething is named

Alexandria, Egypt is an eponym becauseit is named after Alexander the Great.

117b

equitable

118a

adjective: fair to all parties as dictated by reason andconscience

Synonyms : just

The equitable distribution of ice cream to a group of5 year olds will ensure little to no fighting - at leastuntil the ice cream is gone.

118b

equivocate

119a

verb: to speak vaguely, usually with the intention tomislead or deceive

Synonyms : beat around the bush , palter ,prevaricate , tergiversate

After Sharon brought the car home an hour after hercurfew, she equivocated when her parents pointedlyasked her where she had been.

119b

ersatz

120a

adjective: not real or genuine; phony

Synonyms : substitute

The car dealer's ersatz laughter wasimmediately followed by a price quote,one that Shelley found highly inflated.

120b

estimable

121a

adjective: deserving of esteem and respect

Synonyms : good , honorable , respectable

After serving thirty years, in which he selflesslyserved the community, Judge Harper was one ofthe more estimable people in town.

121b

ethereal

122a

adjective: characterized by lightness andinsubstantiality

Synonyms : aerial , aeriform , aery , airy

Because she dances with an ethereal style, balletcritics have called her Madame Butterfly.

122b

evanescent

123a

adjective: tending to vanish like vapor

The storm flashed into existence aboveus and lasted only a short time - anevanescent turbulence of wind and cloud.

123b

excoriate

124a

verb: to criticize very harshly

Synonyms : condemn , decry , objurgate , reprobate

Entrusted with the prototype to his company's latestsmartphone, Larry, during a late night karaoke bout,let the prototype slip into the hands of a rivalcompany - the next day Larry was excoriated, andthen fired.

124b

execrate

125a

verb: to curse and hiss at

Synonyms : accurse , anathematise , anathematize , anathemise, anathemize , comminate

Though the new sitcom did decently in the ratings, Nelsonrailed against the show, saying that it was nothing more than anexecrable pastiche of tired clich's and canned laughter.

125b

exegesis

126a

noun: critical explanation or analysis,especially of a text

The Bible is fertile ground for exegesis -over the past five centuries there havebeen as many interpretations as thereare pages in the Old Testament.

126b

exemplar

127a

noun: something to be imitated

Synonyms : example , good example , model

Lena's homework is on the wall because it isan exemplar of clean, neat, and thoughtfulwork.

127b

exiguity

128a

noun: the quality of being meager

Synonyms : leanness , meagerness , meagreness ,poorness , scantiness , scantness

After two months at sea, the exiguity of the ship'ssupplies forced them to search for fresh waterand food.

128b

exorbitant

129a

adjective: greatly exceeding bounds of reason ormoderation

Synonyms : extortionate , outrageous , steep ,unconscionable , usurious

Shelley made one exorbitant purchase after another,buying new clothes and taking vacations even thoughshe earned a limited salary.

129b

expansive

130a

adjective: communicative, and prone to talking in a sociablemanner

Synonyms : talkative

After a few sips of cognac, the octogenarian shed his irascibledemeanor and became expansive, speaking fondly of the "goodold days".


130b

expunge

131a

verb: to eliminate completely

Synonyms : excise , scratch , strike

When I turned 18, all of the shopliftingand jaywalking charges were expungedfrom my criminal record.

131b

expurgate

132a

verb: to remove objectionable material

Synonyms : bowdlerise , bowdlerize , castrate ,shorten

The censor expurgated every reference to sex anddrugs, converting the rapper's raunchy flow intoa series of bleeps.

132b

extrapolate

133a

verb: draw from specific cases for more generalcases

Synonyms : generalise , generalize , infer

By extrapolating from the data on the past threemonths, we can predict a 5% increase in traffic toour website.

133b

facile

134a

adjective: arrived at without due care or effort;lacking depth

Many news shows provide facile explanations tocomplex politics, so I prefer to read the in-depthreporting of The New York Times.

134b

factious

135a

adjective: produced by, or characterizedby internal dissension

Synonyms : dissentious , divisive

The controversial bill proved factious, asdissension even within parties resulted

135b

factitious

136a

adjective: artificial; not natural

The defendant's story was largelyfactitious and did not accord witheyewitness testimonies

136b

feckless

137a

adjective: lazy and irresponsible

Synonyms : inept

Two years after graduation, Charlie still livedwith his parents and had no job, becoming morefeckless with each passing day.

137b

fecund

138a

adjective: intellectually productive

Synonyms : fertile , prolific

The artist had entered a fecund period,producing three masterpieces in the spanof two months.

138b

fell

139a

adjective: terribly evil

Synonyms : barbarous , brutal , cruel , roughshod , savage , vicious

For fans of the Harry Potter series, the fell Lord Voldemort, whoterrorized poor Harry for seven lengthy installments, has finally beenvanquished by the forces of good - unless, that is, JK Rowlingdecides to come out of retirement.

This word has other definitions but this is the most important one tostudy

139b

firebrand

140a

noun: someone who deliberately creates trouble

Synonyms : inciter , instigant , instigator ,provoker

Freddie is a firebrand: every time he walks intothe office, he winds up at the center of heatedargument.

140b

flag

141a

verb: droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or lossof tautness; become less intense

Synonyms : droop , sag , swag

After the three crushing defeats in the last three games, theteam's enthusiasm began to flag.


141b

flippant

142a

adjective: showing inappropriate levity

Synonyms : light-minded

Although Sam was trying to honor Mark's senseof humor, many found it quite flippant that hewore a comic nose and glasses mask to Mark'sfuneral.

142b

flummox

143a

verb: be a mystery or bewildering to

Synonyms : amaze , baffle , beat , bewilder ,dumbfound , get , gravel , mystify , nonplus , perplex ,pose , puzzle , stick , stupefy , vex

Mary's behavior completely flummoxes me: I neverhave any idea what her motivations might be.

143b

fractious

144a

adjective: irritable and is likely to cause disruption

Synonyms : cranky , irritable , nettlesome , peckish ,peevish , pettish , petulant , scratchy , techy , testy ,tetchy

We rarely invite my fractious Uncle over for dinner;he always complains about the food, and usuallylaunches into a tirade on some touchy subject.

144b

gaffe

145a

noun: a socially awkward or tactless act

Synonyms : faux pas , gaucherie , slip , solecism

In a famous gaffe, Vice President Quayleattempted to correct the spelling of a gradeschool student, only to find that the child wascorrect.

145b

gambit

146a

noun: a maneuver or risk in a game orconversation, designed to secure an advantage

Synonyms : ploy , stratagem

Randy played a gambit, telling his boss that hewould leave at the end of the week if he didn't geta raise.

146b

gerrymander

147a

verb: to manipulate voting districts inorder to favor a particular political party

Years ago, savvy politicians hadgerrymandered the city center to ensuretheir re-election.

147b

graft

148a

noun: corruption, usually through bribery

In countries with rampant graft, getting adriver's license can require no more than payingan official.


148b

grandiloquent

149a

adjective: puffed up with vanity

Synonyms : overblown , pompous , pontifical ,portentous

The dictator was known for his grandiloquentspeeches, puffing his chest out and using big,important-sounding words.

149b

gumption

150a

noun: resourcefulness and determination

Synonyms : backbone , grit , guts , moxie , sand

Wallace Stegner lamented the lack of gumptionin the U.S. during the sixties, claiming that noyoung person knew the value of work.

150b

hagiographic

151a

adjective: excessively flattering towardsomeone's life or work

Most accounts of Tiger Woods life werehagiographic, until, that is, his affairsmade headlines.

151b

hail

152a

verb: enthusiastically acclaim or celebrate something

Synonyms : herald

Many college superstar athletes are hailed as the nextbig thing, but then flop at the professional level.


152b

halcyon

153a

adjective: idyllically calm and peaceful; suggestinghappy tranquillity; marked by peace and prosperity

Synonyms : golden , prosperous

The first decade after WWI was a halcyon period inAmerica with new-found wealth and rapidlyimproving technology.

153b

hauteur

154a

noun: overbearing pride evidenced by a superiormanner toward inferiors

Synonyms : arrogance , haughtiness , high-handedness , lordliness

As soon as she won the lottery, Alice begin displayinga hauteur to her friends, calling them dirty-clothedpeasants behind their backs.

154b

hector

155a

verb: to bully or intimidate

Synonyms : ballyrag , boss around , browbeat ,bully , bullyrag , push around , strong-arm

The boss's hectoring manner put off manyemployees, some of whom quit as soon as theyfound new jobs.

155b

hedge

156a

verb: to limit or qualify a statement; to avoid making a directstatement

Synonyms : circumvent , dodge , duck , elude , evade , fudge ,parry , put off , sidestep , skirt

When asked why he had decided to buy millions of shares at thevery moment the tech companies stock soared, the CEO hedged,mentioning something vague about gut instinct.This word has other definitions but this is the most importantone to study

156b

histrionic

157a

adjective: to be overly theatrical

Synonyms : melodramatic

Though she received a B- on the test, she hadsuch a histrionic outburst that one would havethought that she'd been handed a death sentence.

157b

hoary

158a

adjective: ancient

Synonyms : rusty

Most workout gurus are young, fit people,whereas most yoga gurus are hoary menwith long white beards.

158b

hobble

159a

verb: to hold back the progress of something

Synonyms : gimp , hitch , limp

Bad weather has hobbled rescue efforts, makingit difficult for crews to find bodies in thewreckage.

159b

hoodwink

160a

verb: to deceive or trick someone

Synonyms : bamboozle , lead by the nose , play false , pullthe wool over someone's eyes , snow

Someone tried to hoodwink Marty with an email telling himthat his uncle had just passed away, and to collect theinheritance he should send his credit card information.

160b

hubris

161a

noun: overbearing pride or presumption

Bill Clinton was criticized for his hubris,since he believed he could get away withanything once in the White House.

161b

illustrious

162a

adjective: widely known and esteemed; having orconferring glory

Synonyms : celebrated , famed , famous , far-famed , notable , noted , renowned

Einstein was possibly the most illustriousscientist in recent history.

162b

imbibe

163a

verb: to drink or absorb as if drinking

Synonyms : absorb , draw , soak up , sop up , suck ,suck up , take in , take up

Plato imbibed Socrates' teachings to such an extentthat he was able to write volumes of work that hedirectly attributed, sometimes word for word, toSocrates.

163b

imbroglio

164a

noun: a confusing and potentially embarrassingsituation

Synonyms : embroilment

The chef cook-off featured one gourmand who hadthe unfortunate distinction of mixing the wrongbroths, creating an imbroglio that diners would notsoon forget.

164b

immure

165a

verb: to enclose, usually in walls

Synonyms : gaol , imprison , incarcerate , jail ,jug , lag , put away , put behind bars , remand

The modern supermarket experience makesmany feel claustrophobic, as they are immured inwalls upon walls of products.

165b

impecunious

166a

adjective: lacking money; poor

Synonyms : hard up , in straitened circumstances, penniless , penurious , pinched

In extremely trying times, even the moderatelywealthy, after a few turns of ill-fortune, canbecome impecunious.

166b

imperious

167a

adjective: having or showing arrogant superiority toand disdain of those one views as unworthy

Synonyms : disdainful , haughty , lordly , overbearing, prideful , sniffy , supercilious , swaggering

Children are imperious with each other before theylearn that earning someone's respect is better thandemanding.

167b

impervious

168a

adjective: not admitting of passage orcapable of being affected

Synonyms : imperviable

I am not impervious to your insults; theycause me great pain.

168b

impetuous

169a

adjective: characterized by undue haste and lack ofthought or deliberation

Synonyms : brainish , hotheaded , impulsive ,madcap , tearaway

Herbert is rarely impetuous, but on the spur of themoment, he spent thousands of dollars on amotorcycle today.

169b

importuned

170a

verb: beg persistently and urgently

After weeks of importuning the star tomeet for a five-minute interview, thejournalist finally got what she wanted.

170b

improvident

171a

adjective: not given careful consideration

Synonyms : ill-considered , ill-judged ,shortsighted

Marty was improvident, never putting moneyaside for the future but spending it on decoratingthe interior of his home.

171b

impugn

172a

verb: attack as false or wrong

Though many initially tried to impugnDarwin's theory, in scientific circlestoday, the is idea taken as truth.

172b

impute

173a

verb: attribute (responsibility or fault) tosomething

Synonyms : ascribe , assign , attribute

He imputed his subpar performance on the testto a combination of stress and poor sleep.Mnemonic : input output. Attribute to input

173b

inanity

174a

noun: total lack of meaning or ideas

Synonyms : mindlessness , pointlessness ,senselessness , vacuity

Bill's poem was nothing more than a list ofimpressive sounding words, so there was no pointin trying to take meaning from the inanity.

174b

inchoate

175a

adjective: only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

Synonyms : incipient

Inchoate ideas about the relation of humans to otheranimals had been discussed since the Middle Agesbut the modern theory really began with Darwin.

175b

incontrovertible

176a

adjective: necessarily or demonstrably true;impossible to deny or disprove

Synonyms : demonstrable,irrefutable , positive

Unless you can provide incontrovertibleevidence, I will remain skeptical.

176b

indigent

177a

adjective: poor; having very little

Synonyms : destitute , impoverished , necessitous , needy , poverty-stricken

In the so-called Third World, many are indigent and only a privileged few havethe resources to enjoy material luxuries.

noun: a poor or needy person

The indigents, huddled under the overpass, tried to start a small bonfire in thehope of staying warm.

177b

ineffable

178a

adjective: too sacred to be uttered; defying expression ordescription

Synonyms : unnameable , unspeakable ,unutterable,indefinable , indescribable , unspeakable ,untellable

While art critics can occasionally pinpoint a work'sgreatness, much of why a piece captures our imaginations iscompletely ineffable.

178b

ineluctable

179a

adjective: impossible to avoid or evade:

Synonyms : inescapable , unavoidable

For those who smoke cigarettes for years,a major health crisis brought on bysmoking is ineluctable.

179b

inequity

180a

noun: injustice by virtue of not conforming withrules or standards

Synonyms : unfairness

After decades of racial inequity, the "separate butequal" doctrine was successfully overturned.

180b

infelicitous

181a

adjective: inappropriate

Synonyms:defective

During the executive meeting, the marketingdirector continued to make infelicitous commentsabout the CEO's gambling habit.

181b

inimitable

182a

adjective: defying imitation; matchless

Mozart's music follows a clear patternthat, anyone could imitate, but his musicgives an overall sense of effortlessnessthat is inimitable.

182b

insouciance

183a

noun: lack of concern

Synonyms : carefreeness , lightheartedness ,lightsomeness

Surprisingly, Hank had become a high-powered CEO;his high school friends remembered him as "HankyPanky", who shrugged off each failed class withinsouciance.

183b

insufferable

184a

adjective: intolerable, difficult to endure

Synonyms : impossible , unacceptable , unsufferable

Chester always tried to find some area in which heexcelled above others; unsurprisingly, his co-workersfound him insufferable and chose to exclude himfrom daily luncheons out.

184b

internecine

185a

adjective: (of conflict) within a group ororganization

The guerilla group, which had become sopowerful as to own the state police, wasfinally destroyed by an internecineconflict.

185b

intimation

186a

noun: an indirect suggestion

Synonyms : breath , hint

At first the hostess tried intimation, praising thebenefits of cutlery; when Cecil continued eatingwith his hands, the hostess told him to use a forkat dinner.

186b

inure

187a

verb: to make accustomed to somethingunpleasant

Synonyms : harden , indurate

Three years of Manhattan living has inured her tothe sound of wailing sirens; she could probablysleep through the apocalypse.

187b

invective

188a

noun: abusive or denunciatory language

Synonyms : vitriol , vituperation

The Internet has unleashed the invectives inmany of us; many people post stinging criticismon the comments section underneath newspaperarticles or YouTube videos.

188b

invidious

189a

adjective: likely to cause resentment

At a time when many others in the office wereabout to be laid off, many considered Cheryl'sfine clothes that day an invidious display.


189b

inviolable

190a

adjective: never to be broken, infringed, ordishonored

Synonyms : impregnable , secure , strong ,unassailable , unattackable

To many the grass at Wimbledon is inviolable andonly greater tennis players are able to enjoy a gamethere.

190b

inviolate

191a

adjective: must be kept sacred

Synonyms : inviolable , sacrosanct

While the literary critic subjected most of theclassics to the harshest reviews, he regardedCervantes as inviolate, and had nothing butpraise for him.

191b

irrefutable

192a

adjective: impossible to deny or disprove

Synonyms : incontrovertible , positive

The existence of life on earth isirrefutable; the existence of intelligentlife on earth is still hotly debated.

192b

jaundice

193a

adjective: to be biased against due to envy orprejudice

Shelly was jaundiced towards Olivia; though thetwo had once been best friends, Olivia hadbecome class president, prom queen, and, tomake matters worse, the girlfriend of the one boyShelly liked.

193b

jejune

194a

adjective: dull; lacking flavor

Synonyms : insubstantial,insipid

Although many top chefs have secured culinary foam's popularity in hautecuisine, Waters criticizes it for being jejune and unfilling.

adjective: immature; childish

Synonyms : adolescent , juvenile , puerile

Her boss further cemented his reuptation for being jejune after throwing a fitwhen the water cooler wasn't refilled.

194b

jingoist

195a

noun: a person who thinks that their country should be at war

Synonyms : chauvinist , flag-waver , hundred-percenter , jingo , patrioteer

In the days leading up to war, a nation typically breaks up into the two opposingcamps: doves, who do their best to avoid war, and jingoists, who are only tooeager to wave national flags from their vehicles and vehemently denounce thosewho do not do the same.

195b

juggernaut

196a

noun: a force that cannot be stopped

Synonyms : steamroller

Napoleon was considered a juggernaut until hedecided to invade Russia in winter; after which,his once indomitable army was decimated by coldand famine.

196b

kowtow

197a

verb: to bow or act in a subservient manner

Synonyms : bootlick , fawn , kotow , suck up ,toady , truckle

Paul kowtowed to his boss so often the bossherself became nauseated by his sycophancy.

197b

lacerate

198a

verb: deeply hurt the feelings of; distress

The teacher was fired for lacerating astudent who wrote a poor essay.

This word has other definitions but thisis the most important one to study

198b

lachrymose

199a

adjective: showing sorrow

Synonyms : dolorous , dolourous , tearful ,weeping

Lachrymose and depressed, AlexeiAlexandrovich walked two miles home in the rainafter learning that his wife was having an affair.

199b

lampoon

200a

verb: ridicule with satire

Synonyms : satirise , satirize

Mark Twain understood that lampooninga bad idea with humor was the mosteffective criticism.

200b

languish

201a

verb: become feeble

Synonyms : fade

Stranded in the wilderness for four days,the hiker languished, eating protein barsand nuts.

201b

lascivious

202a

adjective: lecherous; sexually perverted

Synonyms : lewd , libidinous , lustful

Lolita is a challenging novel for many, not necessarilybecause of the elevated prose style but because of thedepravity of the main character, Humbert Humbert, who, asan old, lascivious man, falls in love with a girl.

202b

limpid

203a

adjective: clarity in terms of expression

Synonyms : crystal clear , crystalline ,lucid , pellucid , transparent,perspicuous

Her limpid prose made even the mostrecondite subjects accessible to all.

203b

litany

204a

noun: any long and tedious account of something

Mr. Rogers spoke to a Senate committee and didnot give a litany of reasons to keep funding theprogram, but instead, appealed to the basichuman decency of all present.

204b

loath

205a

adjective: unwillingness to do something contraryto your custom (usually followed by 'to')

Synonyms : loth , reluctant, antipathetic ,antipathetical , averse , indisposed

I was loath to leave the concert before my favoriteband finished playing.

205b

lugubrious

206a

adjective: excessively mournful

At the funeral, lugubrious songs filled thesmall church.

206b

machinate

207a

verb: engage in plotting or enter into aconspiracy, swear together

Synonyms : cabal , complot , conjure , conspire

The rebels met at night in an abandoned barn tomachinate.

207b

magisterial

208a

adjective: offensively self-assured or given to exercising unwarrantedpower

Synonyms : autocratic , bossy , dominating , high-and-mighty ,peremptory

Though she was only a third grade teacher, Ms. Martinet wasmagisterial in dealing with her class, lording over them like a queen.

This word has other definitions but this is the most important one tostudy

208b

malapropism

209a

noun: the confusion of a word with another word thatsounds similar

Synonyms : malaprop

Whenever I looked glum, my mother would offer toshare "an amusing antidote" with me - an endearingmalapropism of "anecdote" that never failed to cheerme up.

209b

malfeasance

210a

adjective: misconduct or wrongdoing (especially by a publicofficial)

Not even the mayor's trademark pearly-toothed grin couldsave him from charges of malfeasance: while in power, he'dbeen running an illegal gambling rink in the room behindhis office.

Mnemonic : mal fees. Public officiary paying bribe money ismalfeasance

210b

malingerer

211a

noun: someone shirking their duty by pretending tobe sick or incapacitated

Synonyms : shammer , skulker

At one time, our country was full of hardworkingrespectful people, but now it seems that everyone is amalingerer with little inclination to work.

211b

martinet

212a

noun: a strict disciplinarian

Synonyms : disciplinarian , moralist

The job seemed perfect to Rebecca, until she foundout that her boss was a total martinet; after eachproject the boss would come by to scrutinize - andinevitably criticize - every little detail of the workRebecca had done.

212b

maudlin

213a

adjective: overly emotional and sad

Synonyms : bathetic , drippy , hokey , kitschy , mawkish , mushy, schmaltzy , schmalzy , sentimental , slushy , soppy , soupy

Just as those who were alive during the 70's are mortified thatthey once cavorted about in bellbottoms, many who livedduring the 80's are now aghast at the maudlin pop songs theyused to enjoy - really, just what exactly is a total eclipse of theheart?

213b

maunder

214a

verb: wander aimlessly

Max liked to maunder down by the seaside and pick up whatever sea shells hewould stumble upon.

verb: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly

Synonyms : blab , blabber , chatter , clack , gabble , gibber , palaver , piffle ,prate , prattle , tattle , tittle-tattle , twaddle

After drinking two espressos each, the animated couple would maunder loudly,annoying the other patrons in the coffee shop.

214b

mellifluous

215a

adjective: smooth and sweet-sounding

Synonyms : dulcet , honeyed , mellisonant , sweet

Chelsea's grandmother thought Franz Schubert'smusic to be the most mellifluous ever written;Chelsea demurred, and to her grandmother's chagrin,would blast Rihanna on the home stereo speakers.

215b

mendicant

216a

noun: a pauper who lives by begging

Synonyms : beggar

Tolstoy was an aristocrat, but he strove tounderstand the Christianity of the Russianpeasants by wandering among them as amendicant.

216b

meteoric

217a

adjective: like a meteor in speed orbrilliance or transience

The early spectacular successes propelledthe pitcher to meteoric stardom, but aterribly injury tragically cut short hiscareer.

217b

mettlesome

218a

adjective: filled with courage or valor

Synonyms : game , gamey , gamy , gritty , spirited, spunky

For its raid on the Bin Laden's compound inAbbottabad, Seal Team Six has become, formany Americans, the embodiment of mettle.

218b

misattribute

219a

verb: To erroneously attribute; to falsely ascribe;used especially of authorship.

I made a mistake; I misattributed "Crime andPunishment" to Leo Tolstoy when it was actuallywritten by Fyodor Dostoyevsky.

219b

modicum

220a

noun: a small or moderate or tokenamount

If my sister had even a modicum ofsense, she wouldn't be engaged to thatbarbarian.

220b

mordant

221a

adjective: biting and caustic in thought, manner, orstyle

Synonyms : caustic , corrosive , erosive ,vitriolic,black , grim

While Phil frequently made mordant remarks aboutcompany policy overall, he always was considerablygentler in discussing any person in particular.

221b

moribund

222a

adjective: being on the point of death; decliningrapidly losing all momentum in progress

Synonyms : stagnant

Whether you like it or not, jazz as a genre ismoribund at best, possibly already dead.

222b

mulct

223a

verb: to defraud or swindle

Synonyms : bunco , con , defraud , diddle , gip ,goldbrick , gyp , hornswoggle , nobble , rook , scam ,short-change , swindle , victimize

The so-called magical diet cure simply ended upmulcting Maria out of hundreds of dollars, but didnothing for her weight.

223b

nadir

224a

noun: the lowest point

Synonyms : low-water mark

For many pop music fans, the rap andalternative-rock dominated 90s were thenadir of musical expression.

224b

nettlesome

225a

adjective: causing irritation or annoyance

Synonyms : annoying , bothersome , galling ,irritating , pesky , pestering , pestiferous , plaguey ,plaguy , teasing , vexatious , vexing

Maria found her coworker's cell phone nettlesome,because every few minutes it would buzz to life withanother text message.

225b

noisome

226a

adjective: having an extremely bad smell

Synonyms : fetid , foetid , foul , foul-smelling , funky ,ill-scented , smelly , stinking

Each August, when the winds moved in a southeasterly direction, the garbage dump would spreadnoisome vapors through the small town.

226b

nonchalant

227a

adjective: coming across as uninterested or unconcerned;overly casual

Synonyms : casual , insouciant

The twenty-somethings at the coffee shop always irkedSheldon, especially the way in which they acted nonchalantlytowards everything, not even caring when Sheldon once spilledhis mocha on them.

227b

objurgate

228a

verb: express strong disapproval of

Synonyms : condemn , decry , excoriate ,reprobate

The manager spent an hour objurgating theemployee in the hopes that he would not makethese mistakes again.

228b

oblique

229a

adjective: not straightforward; indirect

Synonyms : devious

Herbert never explicitly revealed anything negative aboutTom's past, but at times he would obliquely suggest thatTom was not as innocent as he seemed.


229b

obstreperous

230a

adjective: noisily and stubbornly defiant; willfullydifficult to control

Synonyms : casual , insouciant

When the teacher asked the obstreperous studentsimply to bus his tray, the student threw the entiretray on the floor, shouted an epithet, and walked out.

230b

obtain

231a

adjective: be valid, applicable, or true

Synonyms : hold , prevail

The custom of waiting your turn in line does not obtain insome countries, in which many people try to rush to front ofthe line at the same time.


231b

obtuse

232a

adjective: slow to learn or understand; lacking intellectualacuity; lacking in insight or discernment

Synonyms : dense , dim , dull , dumb , slow

Jackson was the most obtuse member of the team: themanager's subtle ironies were always lost on him.


232b

officious

233a

adjective: intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner

Synonyms : busy , busybodied , interfering , meddlesome ,meddling

The professor had trouble concentrating on her newtheorem, because her officious secretary would barge infrequently reminding her of some trivial detail involvingdepartmental paperwork.

233b

ossify

234a

verb: make rigid and set into a conventional pattern

Synonyms : petrify , rigidify

Even as a young man, Bob had some bias against poorpeople, but during his years in social services, his badopinions ossified into unshiftable views.


234b

overweening

235a

adjective: arrogant; presumptuous

Synonyms : excessive , extravagant , exuberant,uppity

Mark was so convinced of his basketball skills that inhis overweening pride he could not fathom that hisname was not on the varsity list; he walked up to thebasketball coach and told her she had forgotten toadd his name.

235b

palatable

236a

adjective: acceptable to the taste or mind

Synonyms : toothsome

MIkey didn't partake much in his friends'conversations, but found their presence palatable.


236b

palaver

237a

verb: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly andincessantly

Synonyms : blab , blabber , chatter , clack , gabble , gibber ,maunder , piffle , prate , prattle , tattle , tittle-tattle , twaddle

During the rain delay, many who had come to see the gamepalavered, probably hoping that idle chatter would make thetime go by faster.This word has other definitions but this is the most importantone to study

237b

palimpsest

238a

noun: something that has been changed numeroustimes but on which traces of former iterations canstill be seen

The downtown was a palimpsest of the city'scheckered past: a new Starbucks had opened up nextto an abandoned, shuttered building, and a freshlyasphalted road was inches away from a pothole largeenough to swallow a small dog.

238b

panacea

239a

noun: hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases; auniversal solution

Synonyms : catholicon , cure-all , nostrum

While the company credit card has made most largepurchases easier, it is no panacea: some smaller basictransactions still must be conducted in cash.

239b

panegyric

240a

noun: a formal expression of praise

Synonyms : encomium , eulogy , paean , pean

Dave asked Andrew to do just a simple toast, butAndrew launched into a full panegyric, enumerating acomplete list of Dave's achievements and admirablequalities.

240b

paragon

241a

noun: model of excellence or perfection of a kind; one having no equal

Synonyms : apotheosis , ideal , nonesuch , nonpareil , nonsuch , saint

Even with the rise of Kobe Bryant, many still believe that Michael Jordon is theparagon for basketball players.

noun: an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept

Synonyms : beau ideal , idol , perfection

Some say that Athens was the paragon of democracy, but these people oftenforget that slaves and women were still not allowed to vote.

241b

pariah

242a

noun: an outcast

Synonyms : castaway , ishmael

The once eminent scientist, upon beingfound guilty of faking his data, has become apariah in the research community.

242b

parvenu

243a

noun: a person who has suddenly become wealthy,but not socially accepted as part of a higher class

Synonyms : arriviste , nouveau-riche , upstart

The theater was full of parvenus who each thoughtthat they were surrounded by true aristocrats.

243b

patent

244a

adjective: glaringly obvious

Synonyms : apparent , evident , manifest , plain , unmistakable

Since the book had been through no fewer than six proof runs,the staff was shocked to see such a patent spelling mistakeremaining, right in the middle of the front cover!


244b

pecuniary

245a

adjective: relating to or involving money

Synonyms : monetary

The defendent was found guilty and had to servea period of community service as well as paypecuniary damages to the client.

245b

pellucid

246a

adjective: transparently clear; easilyunderstandable

Synonyms : crystal clear , limpid , lucid , luculent, perspicuous

The professor had a remarkable ability makeeven the most difficult concepts seem pellucid.

246b

penurious

247a

adjective: lacking money; poor

Synonyms : hard up , impecunious , in straitened circumstances , penniless ,pinched

Truly penurious, Mary had nothing more than a jar full of pennies.

adjective: miserly

Synonyms : parsimonious

Warren Buffett, famous multi-billionaire, still drives a cheap sedan, not becausehe is penurious, but because luxury cars are gaudy and impractical.

247b

percipient

248a

adjective: highly perceptive

Synonyms : clear

Even the most percipient editor willmake an occasional error whenproofreading.

248b

peremptory

249a

adjective: bossy and domineering

Synonyms : autocratic , bossy , dominating ,high-and-mighty , magisterial

My sister used to peremptorily tell me to do thedishes, a chore I would either do perfunctorily oravoid doing altogether.

249b

perfunctory

250a

adjective: done routinely and with little interestor care

Synonyms : casual , cursory , passing

The short film examines modern perfunctorycleaning rituals such as washing dishes, doinglaundry and tooth-brushing.

250b

peripatetic

251a

adjective: traveling by foot

Synonyms : wayfaring

Jim always preferred a peripatetic approach todiscovering a city: he felt that he could see somany more details while walking.

251b

perspicacious

252a

adjective: acutely insightful and wise

Synonyms : sagacious , sapient

Many modern observers regard Eisenhower asperspicacious, particularly in his accurateprediction of the growth of the military.

252b

phantasmagorical

253a

adjective: illusive; unreal

Synonyms : phantasmagoric , surreal , surrealistic

Those suffering from malaria fall into a feverish sleep, theirworld a whirligig of phantasmagoria; if they recover, they areunsure of what actually took place and what was simply aproduct of their febrile imaginations.

253b

philistine

254a

adjective: smug and ignorant towards artistic and culturalvalues

Synonyms : anti-intellectual

Jane considered Al completely philistine, because he talkedalmost exclusive about video games; she was entirely unawareof how well read he really was.


254b

phlegmatic

255a

adjective: showing little emotion

Synonyms : phlegmatical

Arnold is truly noble, remaining reserved until anissue of significance arises, but Walter is simplyphlegmatic: he doesn't have the energy orinclination to care about anything.

255b

picayune

256a

adjective: trifling or petty (a person)

Synonyms : fiddling , footling , lilliputian , little ,niggling , petty , piddling , piffling , trivial

English teachers are notorious for being picayune;however, the English language is so nuanced andsophisticated that often such teachers are not beingcontrary but are only adhering to the rules.

256b

pillory

257a

verb: ridicule or expose to public scorn

Synonyms : gibbet

After the candidate confessed, the press of the opposingparty took the opportunity to pillory him, printing editorialswith the most blatantly exaggerated accusations.


257b

pith

258a

noun: the most essential part of something

Synonyms : center , centre , core , essence , gist , heart , heart and soul ,inwardness , kernel , marrow , meat , nitty-gritty , nub , substance , sum

When Cynthia hears a speaker presenting a complex argument, she is alwaysable to discard the irrelevant details and extract the pith of what the speaker istrying to convey.

This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study

258b

plucky

259a

adjective: marked by courage and determination

Synonyms : gutsy,feisty , spunky

Some scouts initially doubted Pedroia because of hisshort stature, but he is a plucky player, surprisingeveryone with his boundless energy and fiercedetermination.

259b

Pollyannaish

260a

adjective: extremely optimistic

Synonyms : cheerful , upbeat

Even in the midst of a lousy sales quarter, Debbieremained Pollyannaish, never losing her shrillvoice and wide smile, even when prospectivecustomers hung up on her.

260b

ponderous

261a

adjective: weighed-down; moving slowly

Synonyms : heavy , lumbering

Laden with 20 kilograms of college textbooks, the freshman moved ponderouslyacross the campus.

261b

pontificate

262a

verb: talk in a dogmatic and pompous manner

The vice-president would often pontificate abouteconomic theory, as if no one else in the room werequalified to speak on the topic.


262b

portentous

263a

adjective: ominously prophetic

Synonyms : fateful , foreboding

When the captain and more than half the officerswere sick on the very first night of the voyage, manyof the passengers felt this was portentous, but the restof the voyage continued without any problems.

263b

precipitate

264a

adjective: hasty or rash

Synonyms : hasty , overhasty , precipitant , precipitous

Instead of conducting a thorough investigation after the city hall break-in, thegovernor acted precipitately, accusing his staff of aiding and abetting the criminals.

verb: to cause to happen

The government's mishandling the hurricane's aftermath precipitated a widespreadoutbreak of looting and other criminal activity.

This word has other definitions but these are the most important ones to study

264b

presentiment

265a

noun: a feeling of evil to come

Synonyms : boding , foreboding , premonition

On the night that Lincoln would be fatally shot,his wife had a presentiment about going to Ford'sTheater, but Lincoln persuaded her thateverything would be fine.

265b

primacy

266a

noun: the state of being first inimportance

The primacy of Apple Computers is notguaranteed, as seen in the recentlawsuits and weak growth. Mnemonic : primary!

266b

probity

267a

noun: integrity, strong moral principles

The ideal politician would have the probityto lead, but reality gravely falls short of theideal of morally upright leaders.

267b

prognostication

268a

noun: a statement made about the future

Synonyms : forecasting , foretelling , prediction

When the Senator was asked about where thenegotiations would lead, he said that any guess hecould make would be an unreliable prognostication.

268b

prolixity

269a

noun: boring verbosity

Synonyms : long-windedness , prolixness ,windiness , wordiness

I loved my grandfather dearly, but his prolixitywould put me to sleep, regardless of the topic.

269b

promulgate

270a

verb: state or announce

Synonyms : exclaim , proclaim

The President wanted to promulgate the successof the treaty negotiations, but he had to wait untilCongress formally approved the agreement.

270b

propitiate

271a

verb: to placate or appease

The two sons, plying their angry fatherwith cheesy neckties for Christmas, werehardly able to propitiate him - the fatheralready had a drawer full of ones he hadnever worn before or ever planned to.

271b

prosaic

272a

adjective: dull and lacking imagination

Synonyms : earthbound , pedestrian , prosy,commonplace ,humdrum , unglamorous , unglamourous

Unlike the talented artists in his workshop, Paul had no suchbent for the visual medium, so when it was time for him tomake a stained glass painting, he ended up with a prosaicmosaic.

272b

proscribe

273a

verb: command against

Synonyms : disallow , forbid , interdict , nix ,prohibit , veto

My doctor proscribes that I not eat donuts withchocolate sauce and hamburger patties forbreakfast.

273b

proselytize

274a

verb: convert to another religion, philosophy, orperspective

Synonyms : proselytise

Lisa loves her Mac but says little about it; bycontrast, Jake will proselytize, interrogating anyonewith an Android about why she didn't purchase aniPhone.

274b

protean

275a

adjective: readily taking on different roles;versatile

Peter Sellers was truly a protean actor - in DoctorStrangelove he played three very different roles:a jingoist general, a sedate President and aderanged scientist.

275b

provident

276a

adjective: careful in regard to your own interests;providing carefully for the future

In a move that hardly could be described asprovident, Bert spend his entire savings on aluxurious cruise, knowing that other bills wouldcome due a couple months later.

276b

puerile

277a

adjective: of or characteristic of a child; displaying orsuggesting a lack of maturity

Synonyms : adolescent , jejune , juvenile

Helen enjoyed blowing soap bubbles, but Jimregarded this as puerile, totally unworthy of a womanwith a Ph.D.

277b

puissant

278a

adjective: powerful

Over the years of service, and quite to hissurprise, he became a puissant advisor tothe community.

278b

punctilious

279a

adjective: marked by precise accordance withdetails

Synonyms : meticulous

The colonel was so punctilious about enforcingregulations that men feel compelled to polisheven the soles of their shoes.

279b

pyrrhic

280a

adjective: describing a victory that comes at such agreat cost that the victory is not worthwhile

George W. Bush's win in the 2000 election was inmany ways a pyrrhic victory: the circumstances of hiswin alienated half of the U.S. population.

280b

quail

281a

verb: draw back, as with fear or pain

Synonyms : cringe , flinch , funk , recoil , shrink , squinch ,wince

Craig always claimed to be a fearless outdoorsman, but whenthe thunderstorm engulfed the valley, he quailed at the thoughtof leaving the safety of his cabin.


281b

quisling

282a

noun: a traitor

Synonyms : collaborationist , collaborator

History looks unfavorably upon quislings; indeedthey are accorded about the same fondness asNerohe who watched his city burn down whileplaying the violin.

282b

quixotic

283a

adjective: wildly idealistic; impractical

Synonyms : romantic , wild-eyed

For every thousand startups with quixotic plansto be the next big name in e-commerce, only ahandful ever become profitable.

283b

raconteur

284a

noun: a person skilled in telling anecdotes

Synonyms : anecdotist

Jude is entertaining, but he is no raconteur: beyondthe handful of amusing stories he has memorized, hehas absolutely no spontaneous story-telling ability.

284b

raillery

285a

noun: light teasing

Synonyms : backchat , banter , give-and-take

The new recruit was not bothered by the raillery,finding most of it light-hearted and good-natured.

285b

rapprochement

286a

noun: the reestablishing of cordial relations

Synonyms : reconciliation

Although Ann hoped that her mother and heraunt would have a rapprochement, each one'sbitter accusations against the other made anyreconciliation unlikely.

286b

rarefied

287a

verb: make more subtle or refined

Jack's vulgar jokes were not so successfulin the rarefied environment of collegeprofessors.

287b

recapitulation

288a

noun: a summary (think of recap)

Synonyms : recap , review

Every point of the professors lesson was soclear that the students felt his concludingrecapitulation was not necessary.

288b

recrimination

289a

noun: mutual accusations

The two brothers sat and cried, pointingfingers and making elaboraterecriminations of the other's guilt

289b

recrudesce

290a

verb: to break out or happen again

Synonyms : break , develop, erupt

After years of gamblers anonymous, Tony thoughthe'd broken his compulsive slot machine playing, butit took only one trip to the Atlantic City for a fullrecrudescence--he lost $5k on the one armed bandit.

290b

redoubtable

291a

adjective: inspiring fear or awe

Synonyms : formidable , unnerving

On television basketball players don't look thattall, but when you stand in front of a seven-foottall NBA player, he is truly redoubtable.

291b

Documents

Magoosh GRE Flashcards Advance - Indexcards.pdf