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GRE 1200 Vocabulary

Classify by Letter Classify by Lesson Start Quiz

  • abate

    (v.) become less intense or widespread

  • aberrant

    (adj.) deviating from the norm, abnormal

  • abeyance

    (n.) temporary suspension or state of inactivity

  • abjure

    (v.) formally reject or renounce; give up

  • abscond

    (v.) leave hurriedly and secretly

  • abstain

    (v.) to hold back from, avoid voluntarily

  • abstemious

    (adj.) moderate in consumption or indulgence

  • abstruse

    (adj.) difficult to understand; obscure

  • absurd

    (adj.) wildly unreasonable or illogical

  • abyss

    (n.) bottomless deep, void or chasm

  • acquiesce

    (v.) accept reluctantly but without protest

  • acumen

    (n.) keen insight; sharpness in judgment

  • adamant

    (adj.) refusing to change mind; determined

  • adept

    (adj.) highly skilled or proficient

  • admonish

    (v.) warn or reprimand firmly

  • adulate

    (v.) excessive praise; flatter insincerely

  • adulation

    (n.) excessive praise or admiration

  • adulterate

    (v.) to make impure by adding inferior substances

  • adumbrate

    (v.) foreshadow or outline vaguely

  • adverse

    (adj.) unfavorable; hostile or opposing

  • advocate

    (n.) supporter or proponent of something

  • aesthete

    (n.) person who appreciates beauty, sensitive to art

  • aesthetic

    (adj.) pertaining to beauty or art perception

  • affable

    (adj.) friendly; easy to approach or talk to

  • affectation

    (n.) artificial or pretentious behavior

  • affliction

    (n.) cause of pain or suffering

  • affluent

    (adj.) wealthy or generously supplied

  • aggrandize

    (v.) increase power or importance; exaggerate

  • agitate

    (v.) stir up feelings or public opinion

  • agog

    (adj.) highly excited or eager

  • alacrity

    (n.) eager willingness or briskness

  • allegation

    (n.) claim or accusation; assertion without proof

  • allegiance

    (n.) loyalty or commitment to a cause

  • alleviate

    (v.) to relieve or lessen suffering or pain

  • ally

    (n.) partner or supporter in a common goal

  • amalgamate

    (v.) combine into a whole; merge or unite

  • ambiguous

    (adj.) open to multiple interpretations

  • ambivalent

    (adj.) having mixed feelings, uncertain

  • ambrosial

    (adj.) divinely sweet or fragrant; delicious

  • ameliorate

    (v.) improve or make better; relieve

  • amenable

    (adj.) willing to cooperate or be influenced

  • anachronism

    (n.) something out of its proper time

  • analgesic

    (n.) medicine that relieves pain

  • analogous

    (adj.) comparable; similar in certain ways

  • annex

    (v.) attach or add to something larger

  • annotate

    (v.) to add notes or comments for explanation

  • annul

    (v.) declare invalid or nullify

  • anoint

    (v.) apply oil; designate or confer divine power

  • anomalous

    (adj.) deviating from the norm

  • anomaly

    (n.) deviation from normal, irregularity

  • antediluvian

    (adj.) extremely old-fashioned or ancient

  • antipathy

    (n.) strong dislike; aversion or hostility

  • antiseptic

    (adj.) preventing infection or decay

  • antithetical

    (adj.) directly opposed or contrasting

  • apathy

    (n.) lack of interest or concern

  • aphoristic

    (adj.) concise, pithy statement; expressed briefly

  • apocryphal

    (adj.) of doubtful authenticity

  • apparition

    (n.) ghostly figure or image appearingsuddenly

  • appease

    (v.) pacify or placate by giving concessions

  • appraise

    (v.) assess value or quality; estimate or evaluate

  • apprehension

    (n.) fear or anxiety about future

  • apprise

    (v.) inform or notify someone about something

  • approbation

    (n.) approval or praise

  • aptitude

    (n.) ability to learn or do something; talent

  • aqueous

    (adj.) resembling or containing water

  • arable

    (adj.) suitable for growing crops

  • arbitrary

    (adj.) based on random choice or whim

  • arbitrate

    (v.) reach an authoritative judgment; mediate

  • arcane

    (adj.) understood by few; mysterious

  • archaic

    (adj.) very old or outdated

  • arduous

    (adj.) hard to accomplish; difficult

  • articulate

    (v.) express clearly; pronounce distinctly

  • artless

    (adj.) innocent or without deceit

  • ascetic

    (adj.) practicing severe self-discipline

  • ascribe

    (v.) assign or credit to a cause or source

  • asperity

    (n.) harshness of tone or manner; severity

  • aspersion

    (n.) damaging or insulting remark

  • aspiration

    (n.) hope or ambition to achieve something

  • assess

    (v.) evaluate or estimate the nature or ability of

  • assuage

    (v.) make less intense; soothe or calm

  • astonishment

    (n.) surprise or wonder

  • astringent

    (adj.) causing tightening or constriction

  • astute

    (adj.) shrewd; having keen insight

  • atone

    (v.) make amends for wrongdoing; repent

  • atrophy

    (n.) gradual decline or waste

  • attentive

    (adj.) giving close and thoughtful attention

  • attenuate

    (v.) weaken or reduce in severity

  • audacious

    (adj.) bold or daring; disregard usual limits

  • augment

    (v.) increase or make larger

  • auspicious

    (adj.) favorable or promising

  • austere

    (adj.) severely plain or stern

  • avarice

    (n.) greed for wealth; excessive desire to hoard money

  • aver

    (v.) assert or state confidently

  • averse

    (adj.) reluctant or unwilling

  • avert

    (v.) turn away or prevent from happening

  • avid

    (adj.) enthusiastic; eager or passionate

  • baleful

    (adj.) threatening harm or evil

  • balk

    (v.) hesitate or refuse to proceed

  • banal

    (adj.) lacking originality; clichéd

  • baneful

    (adj.) causing harm or destruction; deadly

  • banter

    (n.) playful and friendly teasing

  • barefaced

    (adj.) shameless or without disguise

  • bask

    (v.) lie in warmth or enjoy to the fullest

  • belie

    (v.) contradict or give a false impression; misrepresent

  • bellicose

    (adj.) hostile or aggressive

  • benevolent

    (adj.) wishing or showing good to others

  • benign

    (adj.) gentle and kindly

  • biased

    (adj.) favoring one side unfairly; prejudiced

  • bilk

    (v.) cheat or defraud

  • bizarre

    (adj.) strange or unusual

  • blandishment

    (n.) flattering words to persuade or coax

  • bleak

    (adj.) desolate or depressing; cold or bare

  • blithe

    (adj.) showing happiness or indifference

  • blunder

    (n.) serious mistake or error

  • board

    (n.) flat surface for writing or working; committee

  • bog

    (n.) wet, muddy ground; swamp or marsh

  • bogus

    (adj.) fake or counterfeit

  • bolster

    (v.) strengthen or support

  • bombast

    (n.) pompous or pretentious speech or writing

  • bombastic

    (adj.) pompous; using inflated language

  • boor

    (n.) rude or unrefined person

  • brazen

    (adj.) bold or shameless

  • breach

    (n.) violation or breaking of law or duty

  • brisk

    (adj.) quick and energetic; lively or vigorous

  • brittle

    (adj.) easily broken or fragile

  • brood

    (v.) ponder or worry deeply

  • bucolic

    (adj.) relating to the countryside or rural life

  • burgeon

    (v.) grow rapidly; flourish or increase

  • burlesque

    (n.) comic or exaggerated imitation

  • buttress

    (n.) support or reinforcement

  • cacophony

    (n.) harsh, discordant mixture of sounds

  • cadge

    (v.) obtain through begging; scrounge or freeload

  • cajole

    (v.) persuade patiently or cleverly

  • calisthenics

    (n.) bodyweight exercises for fitness

  • calumny

    (n.) false statement to damage reputation

  • candid

    (adj.) truthful and straightforward; honest

  • canon

    (n.) established set of principles or laws

  • cant

    (n.) insincere or biased speech

  • capacity

    (n.) maximum amount something can contain or hold

  • caprice

    (n.) sudden change of mind; fickle tendency

  • capricious

    (adj.) impulsive or unpredictable

  • captor

    (n.) someone who captures or takes prisoner

  • castigate

    (v.) reprimand or punish severely

  • catalyst

    (n.) something that causes change; stimulus

  • caustic

    (adj.) sarcastic; capable of burning

  • cavern

    (n.) large underground cave

  • censor

    (v.) suppress parts deemed objectionable

  • censure

    (v.) express strong disapproval; criticize harshly

  • cessation

    (n.) stopping or end

  • charter

    (n.) official document outlining rights or privileges

  • chary

    (adj.) cautiously cautious or hesitant

  • chauvinist

    (n.) person showing excessive patriotism; biased patriot

  • chicanery

    (n.) trickery or deception

  • chronological

    (adj.) arranged in time order

  • circumlocution

    (n.) indirect or evasive language

  • circumspect

    (adj.) cautious; considering all circumstances

  • claim

    (n.) stating this as a fact; assertion

  • clot

    (n.) dense mass of coagulated blood or material

  • clumsy

    (adj.) lacking grace or coordination

  • coagulant

    (n.) substance causing clotting; blood thickener

  • coalesce

    (v.) come together to form a whole

  • coerce

    (v.) push or compel someone to do something

  • cogent

    (adj.) clear, logical, convincing

  • cognizance

    (n.) knowledge or awareness; understanding

  • coherent

    (adj.) logical and consistent

  • collusion

    (n.) secrecy for fraudulent purpose

  • commensurate

    (adj.) proportionate or corresponding in size

  • commentator

    (n.) Provides opinions on events or issues

  • compelling

    (adj.) evoking interest; persuasive

  • complacent

    (adj.) self-satisfied

  • complaisant

    (adj.) willing to please others

  • composure

    (n.) Calmness in difficult situations

  • comprehensive

    (adj.) complete; covering all aspects

  • concede

    (v.) admit as true or acknowledge defeat

  • conceit

    (n.) excessive pride or self-love

  • concession

    (n.) Yielding or admitting a point

  • conciliatory

    (adj.) intended to appease or reconcile

  • concoct

    (v.) create or devise (especially a plan or story)

  • concur

    (v.) agree or have the same opinion

  • condescend

    (v.) Act superior or patronizing

  • condone

    (v.) accept or overlook bad behavior

  • conducive

    (adj.) helpful or promoting

  • confidential

    (adj.) meant to be kept secret

  • confine

    (v.) Restrict within limits

  • conflagration

    (n.) large destructive fire

  • conflate

    (v.) combine into one

  • confound

    (v.) confuse or frustrate

  • confrontation

    (n.) Face-to-face dispute or conflict

  • congruent

    (adj.) in agreement; harmonious

  • conifer

    (n.) cone-bearing evergreen tree

  • conjecture

    (n.) guess based on incomplete information

  • conjure

    (v.) Call upon spirits or imagine vividly

  • connoisseur

    (n.) expert in a particular field

  • conscript

    (v.) force into military service

  • consensus

    (n.) general agreement

  • consequential

    (adj.) Having significant effects

  • consign

    (v.) deliver or set apart for a purpose

  • console

    (v.) comfort or support someone in distress

  • conspicuous

    (adj.) easily seen or noticed

  • conspire

    (v.) Plan secretly to do something wrong

  • consternation

    (n.) sudden fear or alarm

  • construe

    (v.) interpret or understand the meaning

  • consumption

    (n.) use or intake of something; expenditure

  • contend

    (v.) Assert or struggle to overcome

  • contentious

    (adj.) likely to cause disagreement

  • contingent

    (adj.) dependent on certain conditions

  • contrite

    (adj.) feeling remorse or guilt

  • controversial

    (adj.) Causing public disagreement

  • convoke

    (v.) call together for a meeting

  • convoluted

    (adj.) complicated or intricately folded

  • copious

    (adj.) abundant in quantity

  • corporal

    (adj.) Relating to the body

  • corroborate

    (v.) confirm or support with evidence

  • cosmopolitan

    (adj.) worldly or international in scope

  • covert

    (adj.) hidden or secret

  • covet

    (v.) Desire strongly for something

  • cower

    (v.) crouch down in fear or shame

  • coy

    (adj.) shy or reserved to attract attention

  • craft

    (n.) skill or art in doing something

  • crave

    (v.) Yearn intensely for

  • craven

    (adj.) lacking courage; cowardly

  • crease

    (n.) fine line or fold in material

  • credence

    (n.) belief in truth or reliability

  • credulity

    (n.) Trust or belief easily

  • credulous

    (adj.) gullible or too trusting

  • crockery

    (n.) dishes or ceramic ware

  • culpable

    (adj.) deserving blame or responsibility

  • curb

    (v.) Restrict or control

  • dabble

    (v.) take part in superficially or casually

  • dampen

    (v.) make slightly wet or less intense

  • dangle

    (v.) hang loosely or sway back and forth

  • dazzle

    (v.) Impress or blind with brilliance

  • dearth

    (n.) scarcity or lack of something

  • debacle

    (n.) disastrous failure or collapse

  • debilitate

    (v.) weaken or make feeble

  • decorous

    (adj.) Properly polite and restrained

  • decorum

    (n.) proper behavior; good manners

  • decree

    (n.) official order issued by authority

  • decry

    (v.) condemn openly or strongly

  • dedication

    (n.) Devotion to a cause or task

  • defer

    (v.) postpone or yield respectfully

  • deference

    (n.) respect or courteous regard

  • defiance

    (n.) resistance or disobedience

  • defiant

    (adj.) Boldly resisting authority

  • deflect

    (v.) turn away; avoid or dodge

  • deft

    (adj.) skilled and quick in movement

  • deftness

    (n.) skillful and quick in movement

  • delineate

    (v.) Describe precisely

  • deluge

    (n.) severe flood or overwhelming rush

  • demote

    (v.) reduce in rank or position

  • demur

    (v.) raise doubts or object

  • denigrate

    (v.) Criticize unfairly

  • denounce

    (v.) publicly criticize or condemn

  • denunciation

    (n.) criticism or public condemnation

  • deposition

    (n.) act of removing someone from office; testimony

  • deprivation

    (n.) Lack of necessary needs

  • deprive

    (v.) take away or deny possession

  • deride

    (v.) ridicule or mock contemptuously

  • derivative

    (n.) something derived from something else

  • describe

    (v.) Explain details or characteristics

  • descry

    (v.) catch sight of with difficulty

  • desiccate

    (v.) dry out thoroughly

  • desperate

    (adj.) feeling or showing hopelessness

  • despicable

    (adj.) Deserving contempt or scorn

  • desultory

    (adj.) lacking clear purpose; random

  • detached

    (adj.) impartial or emotionally removed

  • detachment

    (n.) emotional distance or separation

  • deter

    (v.) Discourage from action

  • determinant

    (n.) factor that determines a result

  • devoid

    (adj.) lacking or empty of

  • diatribe

    (n.) bitter, abusive speech

  • dichotomy

    (n.) Division into two contrasting parts

  • didactic

    (adj.) intended to teach or instruct

  • diffident

    (adj.) shy or lacking confidence

  • digress

    (v.) wander away from main topic

  • dilettante

    (n.) Amateur with superficial interest

  • diligent

    (adj.) hardworking and careful

  • din

    (n.) loud continuous noise

  • dirge

    (n.) mournful song for the dead

  • disabuse

    (v.) Correct false ideas

  • disassemble

    (v.) take apart or analyze

  • disburse

    (v.) pay out or distribute money

  • discern

    (v.) perceive or recognize clearly

  • discomfit

    (v.) Make uneasy or confused

  • discourse

    (n.) written/spoken communication; discussion

  • discreet

    (adj.) tactful and careful

  • discrepancy

    (n.) difference or inconsistency

  • discrete

    (adj.) Separate and distinct

  • disdain

    (n.) strong dislike or lack of respect

  • disguise

    (v.) conceal or hide the true appearance

  • disinterested

    (adj.) impartial or unbiased

  • dislodge

    (v.) Force out of position

  • disparage

    (v.) belittle or degrade

  • disparate

    (adj.) different in kind or quality

  • disparity

    (n.) inequality or difference

  • dispassionate

    (adj.) Lacking strong emotion

  • dispel

    (v.) drive away or make disappear

  • disprove

    (v.) prove false or incorrect

  • disregard

    (v.) ignore or pay no attention to

  • disrobe

    (v.) Remove clothing

  • dissemble

    (v.) conceal true feelings or motives

  • disseminate

    (v.) spread widely or scatter

  • dissent

    (v.) hold or express opinions different from others

  • dissonance

    (n.) Unpleasant musical or mental clash

  • distend

    (v.) swell or expand outward

  • distract

    (v.) draw attention away

  • distraught

    (adj.) deeply distressed or upset

  • diverge

    (v.) Move apart or differ

  • divest

    (v.) deprive; strip away possessions

  • divulge

    (v.) reveal or make known

  • docile

    (adj.) easily managed or controlled

  • dogma

    (n.) Official belief accepted without question

  • dogmatic

    (adj.) stubbornly asserting opinions

  • doleful

    (adj.) sorrowful or mournful

  • dormant

    (adj.) temporarily inactive or sleeping

  • drab

    (adj.) Dull or lacking brightness

  • drawl

    (n.) slow, lazy speech

  • droll

    (adj.) amusing in an odd way

  • drone

    (n.) continuous low humming sound; lazy person

  • drought

    (n.) Extended period of little or no rain

  • dubious

    (adj.) doubtful or uncertain

  • dumbfound

    (v.) astonish or amaze greatly

  • dupe

    (n.) person easily deceived or fooled

  • dwarf

    (n.) Much smaller than usual

  • dwindle

    (v.) gradually lessen or diminish

  • ebullient

    (adj.) enthusiastically lively

  • eccentric

    (adj.) unconventional or slightly strange

  • eclectic

    (adj.) Mixed from various sources

  • efface

    (v.) erase or wipe out

  • efficacious

    (adj.) producing desired effect

  • efficacy

    (n.) ability to produce a desired effect

  • effrontery

    (n.) Bold disrespect or impudence

  • egalitarian

    (n.) advocate for equality of all

  • egregious

    (adj.) remarkably bad or shocking

  • elegy

    (n.) mournful poem or song for the dead

  • elicit

    (v.) Draw out or evoke

  • eloquence

    (n.) fluent or persuasive speaking

  • elucidate

    (v.) clarify or explain clearly

  • elusive

    (adj.) difficult to find or catch

  • embellish

    (v.) Add details to beautify

  • embrace

    (v.) hold close; accept willingly

  • eminent

    (adj.) famous and respected

  • emissary

    (n.) representative or agent sent on a mission

  • emollient

    (n.) Soothing or softening agent

  • empirical

    (adj.) based on observation and experiments

  • emulate

    (v.) copy with the aim to match or surpass

  • enchant

    (v.) delight or captivate through charm

  • encomium

    (n.) High praise or eulogy

  • encroach

    (v.) intrude gradually; invade

  • encumber

    (v.) restrict or burden in severity

  • endeavor

    (n.) serious effort toward a goal

  • endorse

    (v.) Support publicly or approve

  • enervate

    (v.) weaken or drain of energy

  • engender

    (v.) cause or give rise to

  • engrossed

    (adj.) absorbed fully or deeply interested

  • enhance

    (v.) Improve or increase

  • enigma

    (n.) mysterious or confusing person/event

  • enlist

    (v.) voluntarily join or sign up

  • ensign

    (n.) flag or standard indicating nationality or organization

  • enthral

    (v.) Capture complete attention

  • entitlement

    (n.) right to a benefit or privilege

  • entrenched

    (adj.) firmly established or defended

  • ephemeral

    (adj.) lasting a very short time

  • epistemology

    (n.) Study of knowledge's nature

  • epistle

    (n.) formal letter or communication

  • epithet

    (n.) descriptive term or nickname

  • epitome

    (n.) perfect example or embodiment

  • equable

    (adj.) Steady and even-tempered

  • equivocate

    (v.) avoid clear statement; prevaricate

  • equivocation

    (n.) vague or ambiguous expression

  • eradicate

    (v.) completely eliminate or destroy

  • erratic

    (adj.) Unpredictable or inconsistent

  • erroneous

    (adj.) containing mistake or error

  • erudite

    (adj.) highly educated or knowledgeable

  • eschew

    (v.) deliberately avoid or abstain from

  • esoteric

    (adj.) Understood by few, obscure

  • espouse

    (v.) adopt or support an idea or belief

  • espy

    (v.) see or observe something suddenly

  • estimable

    (adj.) deserving respect or admiration

  • ethos

    (n.) Cultural values or character

  • eulogy

    (n.) praise highly in speech or writing

  • euphemism

    (n.) polite or mild word substituted for harsh

  • euphoria

    (n.) intense feeling of happiness or well-being

  • evanescent

    (adj.) Quickly fading or disappearing

  • evict

    (v.) expel from property or land

  • evoke

    (v.) bring or recall to mind

  • exacerbate

    (v.) worsen or intensify negative condition

  • exacting

    (adj.) Requiring precise attention

  • exculpate

    (v.) clear from blame or guilt

  • exemplary

    (adj.) commendable or serving as a perfect model

  • exemplify

    (v.) illustrate or clarify by example

  • exhort

    (v.) Urge strongly or encourage

  • exigent

    (adj.) urgent or requiring immediate action

  • exonerate

    (v.) clear from blame or guilt

  • exorbitant

    (adj.) unreasonably high or excessive

  • expatiate

    (v.) Speak or write at length

  • expend

    (v.) spend or use up (resources)

  • expiate

    (v.) atone for guilt or sin

  • explicate

    (v.) analyze or explain in detail

  • explicit

    (adj.) Clearly expressed

  • exploit

    (v.) use for benefit, often unethically

  • exposition

    (n.) presentation or explanation of ideas

  • extant

    (adj.) still in existence; surviving

  • extempore

    (adv.) Spoken or done without preparation

  • extensive

    (adj.) covering a large area or amount

  • extent

    (n.) degree or scope of something

  • extol

    (v.) praise highly or exult

  • extraneous

    (adj.) Irrelevant or unrelated

  • extrapolate

    (v.) estimate or infer beyond known data

  • extravagant

    (adj.) exceeding reasonable limits

  • exuberant

    (adj.) overflowing with energy or enthusiasm

  • facetious

    (adj.) Treating serious issues humorously

  • facilitate

    (v.) make easier or less difficult

  • faddish

    (adj.) trendy temporarily

  • fallacious

    (adj.) based on false or mistaken idea

  • fallacy

    (n.) Erroneous belief or faulty reasoning

  • falter

    (v.) hesitate or stumble in action

  • fanatical

    (adj.) filled with excessive zeal

  • fastidious

    (adj.) very attentive to detail; hard to please

  • fathom

    (v.) Understand deeply

  • fawn

    (v.) show affection through exaggerated praise

  • feckless

    (adj.) ineffective or irresponsible

  • feign

    (v.) pretend or fake being affected

  • felicitate

    (v.) Congratulate earnestly

  • felon

    (n.) person guilty of a serious crime

  • fervent

    (adj.) showing intense passion

  • fervid

    (adj.) intensely enthusiastic or passionate

  • fervor

    (n.) Intense passion or enthusiasm

  • feud

    (n.) long-lasting mutual hostility

  • fickle

    (adj.) changing frequently, unstable

  • fidget

    (v.) make small movements nervously or restlessly

  • finicky

    (adj.) Hard to please; picky

  • flamboyant

    (adj.) showy or ostentatious

  • flatter

    (v.) praise insincerely to gain favor

  • flaunt

    (v.) display ostentatiously or openly

  • fledgling

    (n.) New or inexperienced

  • flimsy

    (adj.) not strongly made or fragile

  • flinch

    (v.) wince or hesitate

  • flippant

    (adj.) not showing proper respect or seriousness

  • flirt

    (v.) Playfully show romantic interest

  • flop

    (v.) nosedive or fail completely

  • florid

    (adj.) ornate or excessively decorated

  • flounder

    (v.) struggle to move or speak effectively

  • flout

    (v.) Openly disregard rules

  • fluctuate

    (v.) vary or change irregularly

  • fluffy

    (adj.) light and soft in texture

  • fluke

    (n.) unlikely chance or stroke of luck

  • flustered

    (adj.) Nervous or agitated

  • foible

    (n.) minor weakness or eccentricity

  • foment

    (v.) incite or stir up (trouble or rebellion)

  • foolhardy

    (adj.) recklessly bold or rash

  • foppish

    (adj.) Concerned with fashion or appearance

  • foreclosure

    (n.) legal process to reclaim property

  • forestall

    (v.) prevent or obstruct beforehand

  • forge

    (v.) create or form; fake or counterfeit

  • forgery

    (n.) Fake imitation of something

  • formidable

    (adj.) inspiring fear or respect

  • forthright

    (adj.) honest and direct

  • fortuitous

    (adj.) happening by lucky chance

  • foster

    (v.) Encourage or promote development

  • fracas

    (n.) noisy argument or fight

  • fraud

    (n.) deceptive act or trickery

  • frenzy

    (n.) intense or wild excitement or activity

  • fret

    (v.) Worry unnecessarily

  • frivolous

    (adj.) lacking seriousness or value

  • frown

    (v.) furrow brow in displeasure

  • frugal

    (adj.) sparing or economical with money

  • fulminate

    (v.) Express angry protest

  • furtive

    (adj.) sneaky or secretive

  • gaffe

    (n.) embarrassing social mistake

  • gainsay

    (v.) deny or oppose openly

  • galvanize

    (v.) Stimulate into action

  • garner

    (v.) collect or gather

  • garrulous

    (adj.) excessively talkative

  • gauche

    (adj.) socially awkward or tactless

  • gaudy

    (adj.) Showy or tastelessly colorful

  • gavel

    (n.) small hammer for court proceedings

  • germane

    (adj.) relevant or appropriate

  • ghastly

    (adj.) horrible or terrifying to look at

  • gird

    (v.) Prepare or secure

  • gist

    (n.) main point or essence

  • glib

    (adj.) smooth but insincere

  • gloat

    (v.) think about one's success with smugness

  • goad

    (v.) Provoke or annoy someone

  • gorge

    (v.) eat a large amount greedily

  • gossamer

    (n.) delicate, light fabric

  • gouge

    (v.) to overcharge or cut out; extract with force

  • gravel

    (n.) Rough small stones or path material

  • gravity

    (n.) seriousness or importance

  • grazing

    (v.) feeding on grass

  • gregarious

    (adj.) fond of company or sociable

  • grill

    (n.) Cooking device or intense questioning

  • grovel

    (v.) act humbly to gain favor

  • grudging

    (adj.) reluctant or unwilling

  • grumble

    (v.) complain quietly or discontentedly

  • guarded

    (adj.) Cautious or reserved

  • guile

    (n.) deceptive cunning or slyness

  • guileless

    (adj.) honest, without deceit

  • gullible

    (adj.) easily deceived or duped

  • hackneyed

    (adj.) Clichéd or overused

  • hallucinate

    (v.) see or hear things unreal

  • hamper

    (v.) hinder or obstruct

  • hapless

    (adj.) unlucky or unfortunate

  • harangue

    (n.) Long, passionate speech

  • harbor

    (v.) provide shelter or refuge

  • hedonism

    (n.) pursuit of pleasure

  • herbaceous

    (adj.) relating to lush, green plants or herbs

  • heretic

    (n.) Person holding unorthodox views

  • heretical

    (adj.) opposing accepted beliefs

  • heterodox

    (adj.) departing from accepted beliefs

  • hierarchical

    (adj.) arranged in order of rank or importance

  • hoax

    (n.) Deceptive trick or deception

  • holster

    (n.) holding device for firearm

  • homeopathy

    (n.) alternative medicine with diluted substances

  • homogenous

    (adj.) of the same kind or nature; uniform throughout

  • hyperbole

    (n.) Exaggerated statement for effect

  • hypocritical

    (adj.) pretending to be virtuous

  • iconoclast

    (n.) one who opposes established beliefs

  • ideological

    (adj.) relating to ideas or beliefs; political philosophy

  • idiosyncrasy

    (n.) Unique personal trait

  • idolatrous

    (adj.) worshipping idols excessively

  • illicit

    (adj.) forbidden by law

  • imbibe

    (v.) to absorb or drink in; consume mental or physical substance

  • imbue

    (v.) Inspire or influence deeply

  • immediate

    (adj.) instantly or without delay

  • imminent

    (adj.) about to happen

  • immutable

    (adj.) unchangeable; not able to be altered

  • impair

    (v.) Harm or weaken ability

  • impassive

    (adj.) showing no emotion

  • impecunious

    (adj.) lacking money

  • impede

    (v.) to hinder or obstruct progress or movement

  • impediment

    (n.) Obstruction or obstacle

  • imperative

    (adj.) absolutely necessary

  • imperious

    (adj.) overbearing or commanding

  • imperturbable

    (adj.) unable to be disturbed or upset; calm

  • impervious

    (adj.) Impenetrable or unaffected

  • impetuous

    (adj.) hasty or impulsive

  • implacable

    (adj.) unable to be appeased

  • implicit

    (adj.) implied or understood; not directly expressed

  • imposture

    (n.) Deception of identity or character

  • impregnable

    (adj.) unable to be defeated or broken into

  • impromptu

    (adj.) done without preparation

  • improvidence

    (n.) lack of foresight or thrift; wastefulness

  • improvise

    (v.) Create spontaneously without preparation

  • imprudence

    (n.) lack of caution or wisdom

  • impudent

    (adj.) ardily disrespectful

  • impugn

    (v.) to call into question; to attack someone's integrity

  • impunity

    (n.) Freedom from punishment

  • inadvertent

    (adj.) unintentional or accidental

  • inauspicious

    (adj.) not conducive to success

  • inchoate

    (adj.) in an initial stage; incomplete or imperfect

  • incidence

    (n.) Occurrence or frequency

  • incipient

    (adj.) beginning to develop

  • inconclusive

    (adj.) not determining anything

  • incongruous

    (adj.) incompatible; out of place or inappropriate

  • incorrigible

    (adj.) Unmanageable or beyond correction

  • incursion

    (n.) sudden invasion or attack

  • indebted

    (adj.) owing money

  • indefatigable

    (adj.) incapable of being tired out; persistent

  • indelible

    (adj.) Permanent; not erasable

  • indict

    (v.) formally accuse of a crime

  • indigenous

    (adj.) native to a region

  • indignant

    (adj.) feeling or showing anger from unfairness or insult

  • indolent

    (adj.) Lazy or avoiding activity

  • induce

    (v.) persuade or cause to happen

  • indulge

    (v.) allow oneself pleasure

  • ineffable

    (adj.) unable to be expressed in words; indescribable

  • inept

    (adj.) Lacking skill or competence

  • inextricable

    (adj.) impossible to disentangle

  • infer

    (v.) deduce or conclude

  • infiltrate

    (v.) to secretly penetrate or diffuse into something

  • inflammable

    (adj.) easily set on fire; flammable

  • infuse

    (v.) fill or pervade with a substance

  • ingenious

    (adj.) clever or inventive

  • ingenuous

    (adj.) innocent and unsuspecting; naive

  • ingrained

    (adj.) deeply fixed; ingrained over time

  • inimical

    (adj.) harmful or hostile

  • iniquitous

    (adj.) wicked or unjust

  • innocuous

    (adj.) harmless; unlikely to offend or provoke

  • inopportune

    (adj.) occurring at bad or inconvenient time

  • inquisitive

    (adj.) eager for knowledge

  • insatiate

    (adj.) unsatisfied or greedy

  • inscrutable

    (adj.) difficult to understand or interpret; mysterious

  • insensible

    (adj.) unable to feel or perceive; insensible to pain

  • insignia

    (n.) distinctive badge or emblem

  • insinuate

    (v.) imply or suggest indirectly

  • insipid

    (adj.) lacking flavor or interest; dull or boring

  • insular

    (adj.) island-like; narrow-minded and isolated

  • intact

    (adj.) remaining whole or unbroken

  • intensive

    (adj.) done with much effort

  • intermediary

    (n.) a mediator or middleman; go-between

  • interregnum

    (n.) period between rulers or governments

  • intimate

    (adj.) closely acquainted or private

  • intractable

    (adj.) difficult to manage

  • intransigent

    (adj.) unwilling to compromise; stubborn

  • intrepid

    (adj.) fearless and adventurous

  • intricate

    (adj.) complex or detailed

  • intrigue

    (v.) cause curiosity or interest

  • inundate

    (v.) to flood or overwhelm; to cover with water

  • inured

    (adj.) accustomed to hardship; hardened

  • invective

    (n.) insulting or abusive language

  • invert

    (v.) turn upside down

  • inveterate

    (adj.) long-established; habitual; unlikely to change

  • invigorate

    (v.) to energize or refresh

  • invoke

    (v.) call upon a higher power or authority

  • invulnerable

    (adj.) impossible to harm

  • irascible

    (adj.) easily angered; irritable; hot-tempered

  • irate

    (adj.) very angry; enraged

  • irresolute

    (adj.) lacking determination

  • jamb

    (n.) sides of an opening like a door

  • jeer

    (v.) to mock or taunt; a derisive comment

  • jeopardy

    (n.) risk of harm or loss

  • jest

    (n.) thing said for humor or mockery

  • jocular

    (adj.) humorous or playful

  • jovial

    (adj.) cheerful and friendly; good-humored

  • judicious

    (adj.) wisely cautious; showing good judgment

  • lackluster

    (adj.) lacking vitality or shine

  • laconic

    (adj.) using few words

  • lasso

    (n.) a loop used to catch animals; rope for capturing

  • latitude

    (n.) freedom of action or choice; degrees of distance from equator

  • laud

    (v.) praise highly

  • laudable

    (adj.) commendable or praiseworthy

  • lavish

    (adj.) sumptuously rich or elaborate; excessive

  • leash

    (n.) strap for controlling an animal

  • leaven

    (n.) substance used to make dough rise

  • lethargic

    (adj.) lacking energy or enthusiasm

  • lethargy

    (n.) state of sluggishness or fatigue; inactivity

  • levee

    (n.) mound or dam built to prevent flooding

  • leviathan

    (n.) large or powerful entity

  • levy

    (n.) impose or collect (taxes)

  • libertine

    (n.) a person lacking moral restraint; free thinker

  • ligneous

    (adj.) consisting of or resembling wood

  • limerick

    (n.) humorous five-line poem

  • limp

    (adj.) lacking firmness or strength

  • linen

    (n.) cloth made from flax fibers; fabric for clothing

  • literal

    (adj.) exact; true to the original meaning

  • litigation

    (n.) legal process or lawsuit

  • lizard

    (n.) reptile with a long tail

  • loafer

    (n.) a lazy or idler person; a type of shoe

  • loll

    (v./n.) lie or lounge in a relaxed manner

  • loom

    (v.) appear large or threatening

  • lope

    (v.) run or walk with a long stride

  • loquacious

    (adj.) very talkative; chatty

  • lucid

    (adj.) clear and easily understood

  • lucrative

    (adj.) resulting in profit

  • ludicrous

    (adj.) so absurd it’s funny

  • lugubrious

    (adj.) looking or sounding sad; mournful

  • lull

    (v./n.) calm or send to sleep; period of calm

  • lumber

    (v.) move clumsily or slowly

  • luminous

    (adj.) emitting light

  • lustrous

    (adj.) shining with a soft glow; glossy

  • mace

    (n.) heavy club; ceremonial staff

  • macerate

    (v.) soften or break down tissues

  • magnanimity

    (n.) generosity or nobility

  • maladroit

    (adj.) clumsy; inept; lacks skill

  • malapropism

    (n.) humorous misuse of similar-sounding words

  • malevolent

    (adj.) wishing evil harm

  • malign

    (v.) speak badly about

  • malingerer

    (n.) one who pretends to be ill to avoid work

  • malleable

    (adj.) easily shaped or molded

  • manifest

    (v.) display or show plainly

  • martial

    (adj.) relating to war or soldiers

  • martinet

    (n.) strict disciplinarian; a rigid rule enforcer

  • maverick

    (n.) independent-minded person; nonconformist

  • meager

    (adj.) deficient or lacking

  • meddle

    (v.) interfere without permission

  • mediocre

    (adj.) average; of moderate quality or ability

  • mend

    (v./n.) to repair; improvement

  • mendacious

    (adj.) true or dishonest

  • mendacity

    (n.) lying or untruthfulness

  • mercenary

    (n.) motivated by money; professional soldier

  • mercurial

    (adj.) quickly changing mood or behavior

  • metaphysics

    (n.) study of existence or reality

  • meticulous

    (adj.) showing great attention to detail

  • mettle

    (n.) courage and spirit; resilience

  • mettlesome

    (adj.) full of courage or spirit

  • minuscule

    (adj.) extremely small

  • mirth

    (n.) joy or amusement

  • misanthrope

    (n.) a person who dislikes humanity; antipathetic

  • misnomer

    (n.) wrong or inaccurate name

  • misogynist

    (n.) dislikes or hates women

  • mistrust

    (n.) lack of trust

  • mitigate

    (v.) to lessen the severity or seriousness; alleviate

  • moat

    (n.) ditch surrounding a castle or fort

  • modest

    (adj.) having humble opinion

  • mollify

    (v.) appease or soothe

  • mollycoddle

    (v.) to pamper or protect excessively; spoil

  • molt

    (v./n.) animal shedding feathers or skin; shedding process

  • monotony

    (n.) boring sameness

  • morose

    (adj.) sullen or despondent

  • mosaic

    (n.) artwork made of small pieces; patchwork design

  • mundane

    (adj.) ordinary, dull, or routine

  • munificent

    (adj.) very generous

  • nadir

    (n.) lowest point

  • narcotic

    (n./adj.) pain-relieving drug; inducing sleep or stupor

  • nascent

    (adj.) newly formed

  • nausea

    (n.) feeling of sickness

  • nef arious

    (adj.) wicked or villainous; criminal

  • neglect

    (v./n.) failure to care for properly; disregard

  • neuralgia

    (n.) pain along nerve pathway

  • nocturnal

    (adj.) active at night

  • noisome

    (adj.) foul-smelling; harmful or offensive

  • nonchalant

    (adj.) casually calm and unconcerned

  • nondescript

    (adj.) hard to describe

  • nonplused

    (adj.) puzzled or unsure how to respond

  • nonplussed

    (adj.) confused or unsure how to respond; perplexed

  • note

    (n./v.) short written message; to observe or notice

  • notion

    (n.) idea or belief

  • notoriety

    (n.) fame for something bad

  • nuance

    (n.) subtle difference or distinction; refinement

  • oaf

    (n.) clumsy and unintelligent person

  • obdurate

    (adj.) stubbornly refusing

  • obeisance

    (n.) deferential motion of respect

  • obelisk

    (n.) tall, four-sided stone monument; memorial

  • obese

    (adj.) extremely overweight

  • obfuscate

    (v.) makes unclear or confusing

  • obituary

    (n.) notice of someone’s death

  • objurgate

    (v.) to scold or rebuke severely; reprimand

  • objurgation

    (n.) harsh rebuke or criticism

  • oblation

    (n.) offering or sacrifice

  • obligatory

    (adj.) must do or required

  • oblique

    (adj.) slanting or indirect; not straightforward

  • obliquity

    (n.) divergence from moral right; indirectness

  • obliterate

    (v.) destroy utterly

  • oblivion

    (n.) state of being forgotten

  • obloquy

    (n.) strong public criticism; disgrace or infamy

  • obnoxious

    (adj.) offensively unpleasant

  • obscure

    (adj.) not well known or unclear

  • obsequious

    (adj.) obedient or overly eager to please

  • obsession

    (n.) persistent preoccupation; compulsive idea

  • obsidian

    (n.) hard volcanic glass, usually dark and shiny

  • obsolete

    (adj.) no longer in use

  • obstetrician

    (n.) doctor specializing in childbirth

  • obstinate

    (adj.) stubborn; unyielding; resistant to change

  • obstreperous

    (adj.) noisily defiant; unruly

  • obtrude

    (v.) push oneself deliberately

  • obtrusive

    (adj.) noticeable in an unwelcome way

  • obtuse

    (adj.) slow to understand; blunt or dull

  • obviate

    (v.) prevent or remove a need

  • obvious

    (adj.) easy to see or understand

  • occlude

    (v.) block or stop up

  • occult

    (adj.) mysterious; beyond scientific understanding

  • oculist

    (n.) eye doctor or specialist

  • odious

    (adj.) extremely unpleasant

  • odium

    (n.) general hatred or disgust

  • odoriferous

    (adj.) having a strong or unpleasant smell

  • odorous

    (adj.) having a smell; fragrant or unpleasant

  • offal

    (n.) animal waste or discarded parts

  • offertory

    (n.) ceremony collecting offerings

  • officious

    (adj.) overly eager to offer help; meddlesome

  • offset

    (v./n./adj.) counterbalance; compensation; placed counter to something

  • ogle

    (v.) stare at amorously

  • olfactory

    (adj.) relating to sense of smell

  • oligarchy

    (n.) government by few; small ruling elite

  • ominous

    (adj.) threatening; suggesting future harm

  • omnipotent

    (adj.) all-powerful

  • omnipresent

    (adj.) present everywhere

  • omniscience

    (n.) complete or unlimited knowledge; all-knowing

  • omniscient

    (adj.) having infinite knowledge

  • omnivorous

    (adj.) eating both plants and animals

  • onerous

    (adj.) burdensome or difficult

  • onomatopoeia

    (n.) word that imitates sound; sound to word match

  • onslaught

    (n.) sudden and intense attack or rush

  • onus

    (n.) burden or responsibility

  • opalescent

    (adj.) like an opal in appearance

  • opaque

    (adj.) not transparent; obscure; difficult to understand

  • opiate

    (n./v./adj.) pain-relieving drug; to numb; inducing sleep

  • opportune

    (adj.) well-timed or favorable

  • opportunism

    (n.) taking advantage of situations

  • opportunist

    (n.) someone taking advantage; exploitative individual

  • opprobrious

    (adj.) shameful or scornful

  • opprobrium

    (n.) public disgrace or shame

  • optician

    (n.) vision care specialist

  • optimum

    (adj.) most favorable or ideal; best possible

  • optometrist

    (n.) eye care professional specializing in vision tests

  • opulence

    (n.) luxurious wealth or riches

  • opus

    (n.) complex work of art or music

  • oratorio

    (n.) large musical composition for voices and orchestra

  • ordinance

    (n.) law or regulation

  • orientation

    (n.) course of action or direction

  • orifice

    (n.) opening or hole in body or object

  • orison

    (n.) prayer; religious invocation

  • ornate

    (adj.) elaborately decorated

  • ornithologist

    (n.) bird scientist

  • ornithology

    (n.) study of birds

  • orotund

    (adj.) full, rich, and imposing in sound; sonorous

  • orthography

    (n.) correct spelling and writing

  • oscillate

    (v.) move back and forth

  • ossified

    (adj.) turned to bone; rigid

  • ostensible

    (adj.) apparent; seeming; outwardly visible

  • ostentatious

    (adj.) showy to attract attention

  • ostracism

    (n.) exclusion from society

  • ostracize

    (v.) to exclude from a group

  • outgrowth

    (n.) something that develops from something else; result

  • outmoded

    (adj.) out of fashion or outdated

  • outset

    (n.) beginning or start

  • outstrip

    (v.) exceed or surpass

  • overhaul

    (n.) a thorough renovation or repair; complete update

  • overshadow

    (v.) to appear more prominent or important

  • overt

    (adj.) obvious or plainly shown

  • overture

    (n.) initial proposal or music introduction

  • overweening

    (adj.) excessively confident or prideful; arrogant

  • overwrought

    (adj.) extremely nervous or excited; excessively elaborate

  • painstaking

    (adj.) extremely thorough or careful

  • pan

    (n.) round cooking vessel

  • panegyric

    (n.) formal praise or tribute; eulogy

  • paragon

    (n.) a model of excellence

  • parasite

    (n.) an organism living on or in a host, harmful to it

  • parquetry

    (n.) inlaid wooden flooring

  • partial

    (adj.) incomplete; favoring one side; biased

  • partisan

    (n./adj.) devoted supporter; biased

  • patent

    (n.) official grant of rights, exclusive invention rights

  • pathology

    (n.) study of disease

  • paucity

    (n.) scarcity; small amount; shortage

  • pebble

    (n.) small smooth stone

  • peccadillo

    (n.) minor fault or offense, slight mistake

  • pedant

    (n.) showy or overly precise person

  • pedantic

    (adj.) overly concerned with minor details; precise

  • pedantry

    (n.) excessive concern with minor details

  • pedestrian

    (n.) person walking on foot, ordinary or dull

  • peer

    (n.) equal in status or view

  • penchant

    (n.) strong liking or liking for something; inclination

  • penury

    (n.) extreme poverty

  • perch

    (n.) a resting place, high vantage point or seat

  • peremptory

    (adj.) commanding or final

  • perennial

    (adj.) enduring; persistent; recurring yearly

  • perfidious

    (adj.) tending to betray; disloyal

  • perfidy

    (n.) faithlessness, treachery or betrayal

  • perfunctory

    (adj.) lacking interest or enthusiasm

  • peripheral

    (adj.) on the edge; minor or superficial

  • permeate

    (v.) spread throughout; penetrate

  • pernicious

    (adj.) causing great harm, deadly or harmful

  • perpetuate

    (v.) make everlasting or ongoing

  • perplex

    (v.) to confuse or puzzle; make uncertain

  • perseverance

    (n.) persistent determination

  • pertinent

    (adj.) relevant or applicable to matter at hand

  • peruse

    (v.) read carefully

  • pervade

    (v.) to spread throughout; permeate; fill

  • pervasive

    (adj.) spreading throughout; widespread

  • pestilence

    (n.) deadly infectious disease or epidemic

  • petition

    (n.) formal request

  • petulance

    (n.) irritable or moody behavior; impatience

  • petulant

    (adj.) childishly bad-tempered

  • phenomena

    (n.) observable facts or events, unusual occurrences

  • philanthropist

    (n.) charity supporter

  • phlegmatic

    (adj.) calm; unemotional; slow to react

  • pillage

    (v./n.) steal goods during war; act of looting

  • pine

    (v.) to suffer longing, to yearn intensely

  • piquant

    (adj.) pleasantly spicy or tangy

  • pique

    (n.) irritation; resentment; provoking feeling

  • pitch

    (v./n.) throw or fall; level of intensity or quality

  • pith

    (n.) core or essence of something, important part

  • placate

    (v.) appease or calm down

  • placid

    (adj.) peaceful; calm; tranquil

  • plaintiff

    (n.) person bringing a legal case

  • plaintive

    (adj.) sounding sad or mournful

  • plastic

    (adj.) malleable or easily shaped

  • platitude

    (n.) remark lacking originality; cliche

  • plausible

    (adj.) seems reasonable or probable

  • plea

    (n.) earnest request or appeal, urgent appeal

  • plead

    (v.) earnestly ask or appeal

  • plethora

    (n.) excess; overabundance; surplus

  • plod

    (v./n.) walk heavily or slowly; slow progress

  • pluck

    (n.) courage or resolution, spirited daring

  • plumb

    (adj.) measure exactly vertical or deeply accurate

  • plummet

    (v.) to fall sharply; plunge downward

  • polarize

    (v.) divide into contrasting groups

  • polemic

    (n.) aggressive argument, controversial debate

  • polemical

    (adj.) intended to provoke debate or argument

  • polymath

    (n.) a person with wide knowledge in many areas

  • ponderous

    (adj./n.) heavy and clumsy; weighty speech or writing

  • posit

    (v.) to assume as true or fact, to put forward

  • posture

    (n.) attitude or position of the body or mind

  • practitioner

    (n.) one who practices a profession; professional

  • pragmatic

    (adj.) focused on practical results

  • preamble

    (n.) introductory statement or opening, preliminary part

  • precarious

    (adj.) unstable or insecure; uncertain footing

  • preceded

    (v.) came before in time or order; anteceded

  • precedence

    (n.) priority in importance or rank

  • precious

    (adj.) highly valuable, expensive or dear

  • precipice

    (n.) cliff with a steep or overhanging edge

  • precipitate

    (v.) to cause to happen suddenly; hasten

  • precipitous

    (adj.) very steep; sudden or hasty

  • preclude

    (v.) to prevent or make impossible, exclude

  • precursor

    (n.) forerunner or something that comes before

  • predilection

    (n.) preference; special liking; tendency

  • predisposition

    (n.) tendency to behave a certain way

  • preen

    (v.) to groom oneself carefully, prideful self-maintenance

  • premise

    (n.) assumed proposition or statement for argument

  • prerogative

    (n.) special right or privilege; entitlement

  • prescience

    (n.) ability to predict future events

  • prescient

    (adj.) having knowledge of future events

  • presume

    (v.) assume something is true without proof

  • presumption

    (n.) assumption of rights; overconfidence

  • presumptuous

    (adj.) overconfident; assuming too much

  • prevail

    (v.) to triumph, to be victorious or widespread

  • prevaricate

    (v.) avoid truth or mislead; speak evasively

  • pristine

    (adj.) pure; unspoiled; in original condition

  • probity

    (n.) integrity and uprightness

  • proclamation

    (n.) official public announcement or declaration

  • proclivity

    (n.) natural tendency or inclination

  • prodigal

    (adj.) wastefully extravagant; careless with money

  • prodigality

    (n.) wasteful extravagance

  • prodigious

    (adj.) remarkably great or enormous in size or extent

  • prodigy

    (n.) extraordinary talent or genius at young age

  • profligate

    (n.) recklessly extravagant or wasteful person

  • profound

    (adj.) deep; intellectually significant

  • profundity

    (n.) deep insight or seriousness, great depth

  • profuse

    (adj.) abundant or excessive in quantity

  • proliferate

    (v.) to increase rapidly; multiply

  • prolong

    (v./n.) extend duration; lengthening

  • prompt

    (adj.) immediate, quick to act or respond

  • prone

    (adj.) likely to or inclined to do something

  • propensity

    (n.) natural tendency or inclination

  • propitiate

    (v.) appease or satisfy someone

  • proposition

    (n.) a statement or suggestion put forward for consideration

  • propriety

    (n.) accepted social or moral standards; appropriateness

  • prosaic

    (adj.) unimaginative or dull; lacking poetic beauty

  • prospective

    (adj./n.) Potential or likely to happen; outlook

  • protracted

    (adj.) extended in duration, prolonged

  • provocation

    (n.) stimulus or action provoking a response or reaction

  • provocative

    (adj.) causing thought or action; irritating or exciting

  • prudent

    (adj.) wise and cautious

  • prune

    (v.) to trim or cut away, to reduce or simplify

  • pucker

    (v.) contract into wrinkles or folds; tighten

  • pugnacious

    (adj.) eager to fight or argue; combative

  • pundit

    (n.) expert in a particular field

  • pungent

    (adj.) having a sharply strong taste or smell

  • pusillanimous

    (adj.) lacking courage or timid

  • putrefy

    (v.) rot or decay chemically or through bacteria

  • quack

    (n./v./adj.) fake doctor; to make false claims; unqualified

  • quaff

    (v.) to drink deeply or heartily

  • qualification

    (n.) attribute or condition to meet requirements

  • qualm

    (n.) sudden feeling of doubt or uneasiness

  • quarantine

    (n./v.) isolation to prevent spread of disease

  • quash

    (v.) to suppress or extinguish, to put an end to

  • quenching

    (v.) extinguishing or satisfying thirst or desire

  • quibble

    (v.) raise minor or trivial objections; criticize unnecessarily

  • quiescence

    (n.) state of inactivity or dormancy

  • quintessential

    (adj.) representing the most perfect example

  • quiver

    (n.) motion or tremor; also a container for arrows

  • quotidian

    (adj.) occurring daily; ordinary or routine

  • ramification

    (n.) consequence; complication

  • rampant

    (adj.) going unchecked, spreading wildly

  • ranger

    (n.) person who patrols an area of land or forest

  • rarefy

    (v.) make less dense or thick; diminish or thin out

  • rash

    (adj./n./v.) hasty or reckless; outbreak of something; act without caution

  • rationale

    (n.) underlying reason or logic, basis for action

  • rationalize

    (v.) justify or explain with logical reasons

  • recalcitrant

    (adj.) stubbornly disobedient; resisting authority

  • recant

    (v.) to withdraw or renounce a statement

  • recede

    (v.) to withdraw gradually, move back

  • reciprocal

    (adj.) mutual or shared equally between parties

  • reckless

    (adj.) without caution; irresponsible or daring

  • recluse

    (n.) person who avoids social contact

  • recompense

    (n.) payment or reward for service or loss

  • reconcile

    (v.) restore friendly relations or harmony

  • recondite

    (adj.) little known; obscure or abstruse

  • recourse

    (n.) option to seek help or compensation

  • redeem

    (v.) to recover ownership by payment, to rescue

  • redoubtable

    (adj.) worthy of respect or fear

  • refractory

    (adj.) stubborn; resistant to control or authority

  • refurbish

    (v.) renovate and decorate

  • refute

    (v.) to prove false or incorrect, to disprove

  • reinstate

    (v.) restore to previous position or state

  • rejoicing

    (n.) feeling or showing great happiness or delight

  • relentless

    (adj.) merciless; persistent

  • relevant

    (adj.) closely connected or appropriate

  • remorse

    (n.) pain or regret for wrongdoings

  • reproach

    (n.) expression of disapproval or disappointment

  • repudiate

    (v.) reject or refuse to accept

  • rescind

    (v.) to revoke, cancel or repeal officially

  • respectively

    (adv.) in the same order or sequence as mentioned

  • reticent

    (adj.) reserved; not revealing thoughts readily

  • reverberate

    (v.) echo repeatedly or vibrate soundfully

  • reverent

    (adj.) showing deep respect or admiration

  • rhetoric

    (n.) persuasive language or speech; or stylistic devices

  • rigor

    (n.) strictness or severity; thoroughness

  • rotundity

    (n.) plumpness or roundness in shape or size

  • salubrious

    (adj.) healthful, promoting health

  • salvage

    (v.) save from damage or waste; rescue

  • sanction

    (n.) official approval; penalty for breaking rules

  • sate

    (v.) satisfy fully or indulging appetite completely

  • satiate

    (v.) to satisfy fully, to gratify to excess

  • saturnine

    (adj.) gloomy or morose in mood or temperament

  • savant

    (n.) learned person; scholar or expert

  • scattered

    (adj.) dispersed over a wide area

  • secular

    (adj.) non-religious, worldly rather than spiritual

  • sediment

    (n.) particles that settle at the bottom of a liquid

  • sedulous

    (adj.) diligent; showing persistent effort

  • shatter

    (v.) break into pieces suddenly or violently

  • shirk

    (v.) to avoid or neglect work or duty

  • shrill

    (adj.) having a high-pitched, piercing sound

  • shuck

    (v.) remove outer covering or shell; discard or get rid of

  • shun

    (v.) deliberately avoid or ignore

  • shunt

    (v.) to move or switch to another route or direction

  • simper

    (n.) smile in a silly or affected way

  • simultaneous

    (adj.) happening at the same time; concurrent

  • sinister

    (adj.) threatening or foreshadowing evil or harm

  • sip

    (v.) to drink in small amounts

  • skeptical

    (adj.) doubting or questioning validity or authenticity

  • sketchy

    (adj.) not thorough; superficial or incomplete

  • skiff

    (n.) small boat often used on water

  • slack

    (adj.) loose, not tight or tense

  • sloppy

    (adj.) done carelessly or untidily; lacking precision

  • slur

    (n.) smear or damaging remark; unclear sound

  • smother

    (v.) suffocate or suppress completely

  • sober

    (adj.) serious, calm, not intoxicated

  • solicitous

    (adj.) showing concern or care; attentive

  • somber

    (adj.) dark; gloomy or serious

  • soporific

    (adj.) causing sleep or drowsiness

  • sordid

    (adj.) dirty, squalid, morally degraded

  • sparse

    (adj.) thinly dispersed or in small quantities

  • specious

    (adj.) misleadingly attractive; seemingly plausible

  • spell

    (n.) a short period of time or magical incantation

  • spendthrift

    (n.) person who wastes money extravagantly

  • spine

    (n.) backbone; moral strength or courage

  • sporadic

    (adj.) occurring irregularly; scattered or infrequent

  • spurious

    (adj.) false or counterfeit; not genuine

  • squalid

    (adj.) extremely dirty or unpleasant

  • squander

    (v.) spend wastefully or recklessly

  • squelch

    (v.) crush or silence with force; suppress or stifle

  • stake

    (n.) a wooden or metal post or bet on a gamble

  • stark

    (adj.) harsh, desolate, utterly clear or obvious

  • startle

    (v.) suddenly surprise or frighten

  • steadfast

    (adj.) firmly fixed; unwavering or loyal

  • steep

    (adj.) having a sharp inclination or high rate

  • stickler

    (n.) person who insists on strict adherence to rules

  • stiff

    (adj.) not easily bent or moved, rigid

  • stifled

    (adj.) suppressed; muffled or restrained

  • stigma

    (n.) mark of disgrace or shame

  • stigmatize

    (v.) to mark or brand negatively or shameful

  • stint

    (n.) period of limited or fixed work, also a restriction

  • stipulate

    (v.) demand or specify as a condition; arrange clearly

  • stockade

    (n.) barrier or enclosure of posts for defense or confinement

  • stolid

    (adj.) unemotional, showing little or no emotion

  • stoop

    (v./n.) bend forward and downward; a small porch

  • strain

    (n.) force or pressure; effort or tension

  • stray

    (v.) move away aimlessly or become lost

  • striate

    (v.) to mark with thin lines or grooves

  • strive

    (v.) try hard to achieve or reach something

  • strut

    (v.) walk proudly; display boastfully

  • subdue

    (v.) conquer or bring under control

  • subjective

    (adj.) based on personal feelings or opinions

  • suborn

    (v.) bribe or induce someone to commit an unlawful act

  • subpoena

    (n.) legal order to appear in court; summon

  • subsequent

    (adj.) happening after or later

  • subside

    (v.) to become less intense or to sink down

  • substantial

    (adj.) considerable in importance or size

  • substantiate

    (v.) support with evidence; verify or confirm

  • subversive

    (adj.) intended to undermine or overthrow

  • succumb

    (v.) to give in, yield, or be overwhelmed

  • sufficient

    (adj.) enough; adequate for purpose

  • superbly

    (adv.) excellently; in an impressive manner

  • supine

    (adj.) lying face upward, passive position

  • supplant

    (v.) to replace, to take the place of

  • supplicate

    (v.) earnestly request or beg

  • susceptible

    (adj.) easily affected or influenced; vulnerable

  • sway

    (v.) swing or move back and forth

  • swift

    (adj.) quick or fast in movement or action

  • swindle

    (v.) cheat or defraud someone out of money or goods

  • sycophant

    (n.) servile flatterer; fawning admirer

  • syncopated

    (adj.) displaced beat or offbeat in rhythm

  • synthesize

    (v.) to combine parts into a whole

  • tacit

    (adj.) implied or understood without being spoken

  • taciturn

    (adj.) reserved; not inclined to speak

  • tamp

    (v.) pack down tightly or press firmly

  • tangential

    (adj.) only slightly related, divergent

  • tangible

    (adj.) touchable or concrete; real

  • tantalize

    (v.) tease or torment with something desirable

  • tapestry

    (n.) decorative textile art or wall hanging

  • tarnish

    (v.) to lose luster or reputation, stain or discolor

  • taut

    (adj.) stretched tight without slack

  • temperance

    (n.) moderation; self-restraint in behavior

  • temperate

    (adj.) moderate or mild in climate or behavior

  • tenable

    (adj.) capable of being defended or maintained

  • tentative

    (adj.) not certain or finalized; experimental

  • tenuous

    (adj.) weak or flimsy; lacking strength

  • tepid

    (adj.) lukewarm or moderately warm

  • timorous

    (adj.) showing fear or lack of confidence

  • tirade

    (n.) angry speech or upbraiding

  • topple

    (v.) for something to fall or overturn; overthrow

  • torment

    (n.) severe physical or mental suffering

  • torpid

    (adj.) inactive, lethargic, sluggish

  • torpor

    (n.) mental or physical sluggishness or inactivity

  • tortuous

    (adj.) winding; complex or indirect

  • tout

    (v.) promote or praise energetically or aggressively

  • tractable

    (adj.) easily managed or controlled

  • traitor

    (n.) person who betrays trust or allegiance

  • trample

    (v.) tread heavily; crush or destroy

  • transgress

    (v.) violate or exceed a limit or boundary

  • transient

    (adj.) lasting only a short time, temporary

  • treacherous

    (adj.) lacking loyalty; dangerous or deceptive

  • tremor

    (n.) involuntary quivering or shaking; slight earthquake

  • trenchant

    (adj.) incisive, cutting or sharply effective

  • trepidation

    (n.) feeling of fear or agitation, apprehension

  • truce

    (n.) pause in fighting or conflict; ceasefire

  • truculence

    (n.) aggressiveness; fierce or destructive nature

  • turpitude

    (n.) depraved or wicked behavior

  • tyro

    (n.) beginner or novice, inexperienced person

  • ubiquitous

    (adj.) found everywhere; widespread

  • unadorned

    (adj.) plain; not decorated or embellished

  • undermine

    (v.) weaken gradually or insidiously

  • underscore

    (v.) to emphasize or highlight

  • unequivocal

    (adj.) clear and unambiguous

  • untenable

    (adj.) not defensible; flimsy or unsafe

  • untoward

    (adj.) inappropriate or unexpected

  • uphold

    (v.) to support or maintain, confirm

  • uproar

    (n.) noisy disturbance or commotion

  • usurp

    (v.) take over or seize unlawfully; supplant

  • vacillate

    (v.) waver between different opinions or actions

  • vagary

    (n.) unpredictable or erratic idea or action

  • vagrant

    (n.) homeless wanderer or street person

  • valiant

    (adj.) brave; courageous or heroic

  • vanity

    (n.) excessive pride or admiration of oneself

  • varnish

    (n.) a glossy coating or superficial appearance

  • vehemence

    (n.) passionate intensity or forcefulness

  • venality

    (n.) susceptibility to bribes; corruption

  • venerable

    (adj.) deserving respect because of age or wisdom

  • venerate

    (v.) to regard with profound respect or reverence

  • veracious

    (adj.) truthful or honest

  • veracity

    (n.) truthfulness; accuracy or correctness

  • verbose

    (adj.) using more words than necessary

  • verdant

    (adj.) green with grass or foliage, lush

  • veritable

    (adj.) genuine or authentic

  • vertigo

    (n.) sensation of dizziness or spinning

  • vex

    (v.) cause annoyance, frustration, or worry

  • vexation

    (n.) annoyance, irritation, or distress

  • viable

    (adj.) capable of working or developing successfully

  • vicious

    (adj.) cruel or violent; malicious or harmful

  • vigilance

    (n.) alertness or watchfulness to dangers

  • vigor

    (n.) physical strength or mental energy

  • vilify

    (v.) speak or write about critically or slanderously

  • vindicate

    (v.) clear from blame or suspicion; justify

  • vindictive

    (adj.) having or showing a desire for revenge

  • vituperate

    (v.) to blame or scold harshly

  • vituperative

    (adj.) abusive or severely critical

  • vogue

    (n.) popular trend; fashionable style

  • volatile

    (adj.) changeable or unstable easily

  • volubility

    (n.) excessive talkativeness, fluency

  • voluptuous

    (adj.) body and features are curvaceous and sensual

  • voracious

    (adj.) eager to eat or consume; insatiable

  • vulnerable

    (adj.) susceptible to harm or attack

  • wardrobe

    (n.) clothing and accessories collection

  • wary

    (adj.) cautious; watchful for danger

  • waver

    (v.) hesitate or be indecisive

  • weary

    (adj.) feeling tired, exhausted, or bored

  • welter

    (n.) lot of confusion or disorder; a tumult

  • wheedle

    (v.) persuade through flattery; coax or cajole

  • whimsical

    (adj.) playfully or fancifully unpredictable

  • wile

    (n.) trickery or cunning deception

  • withhold

    (v.) refuse to give or grant; keep back

  • zeal

    (n.) enthusiasm or passion; intense devotion

  • zealot

    (n.) fanatical or passionate supporter

  • zenith

    (n.) highest point or peak, culmination

  • zephyr

    (n.) gentle, mild breeze or wind from the west