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All terms in this list:

progenitor: a person or thing that first indicates a direction, originates something, or serves as a model; predecessor; precursor

literati: (plural) well-educated, literary people; intellectuals who are interested in literature

moniker: A personal name or nickname.

federated: united, as a federation, under a central governing structure; allied; joined in a league

bork: to break or damage; to misconfigure, especially a computer or other complex device

liaison: communication between two parties or groups; one who acts as an agent between parties; intermediary; a secretive or adulterous sexual relationship

colligate: to formally link or connect together logically; to link facts together by a general description or by a hypothesis that applies to them all

retainer: This agreement is a work for hire contract. The employer pays in advance for work to be specified later. It is generally refundable if the work is not performed. (also) A servant or attendant who has served a family for many years.

coquettish: (of a woman) characteristically flirtatious, especially in a teasing, lighthearted manner

steward: a person who manages the property or affairs for another entity; caretaker

consortium: An association or combination of businesses, financial institutions, or investors, for the purpose of engaging in a joint venture.

omnibus: An anthology of previously released material linked together by theme or author, especially in book form.

ensorcell: to bewitch or enchant someone

impropriety: The condition of being improper.

lithesome: bending readily; pliant; limber; supple; flexible

byword: a word or phrase associated with some person or thing; a characteristic expression, typical greeting, or the like; a word or phrase used proverbially; common saying; proverb; an epithet, often of scorn

curate: to take charge of (a museum) or organize (an art exhibit); to pull together, sift through, and select for presentation, as music or website content

curator: the administrative head of a museum, art gallery, or similar institution; a manager; superintendent

stewardship: the position and duties of a person who acts as the surrogate of another or others, especially by managing property, financial affairs, an estate, etc.; the responsible overseeing and protection of something considered worth preserving

devolve: to transfer (a duty, responsibility, etc.) to or upon another; pass on; to delegate something to someone else; to be inherited by someone

decor: scenic decoration; scenery; style or mode of embellishment, as of a room, building, or the like

dramaturgy: The art of dramatic composition for the stage.

bellwether: a leader who assumes the forefront of a profession or industry; the leading sheep of a flock, having a bell hung round its neck; anything that indicates future trends; pacesetter; frontrunner; trailblazer

directive: An instruction or guideline that indicates how to perform an action or reach a goal.

marshal: to arrange facts etc. in some methodical order

anarchic: Chaotic, without law or order.

officiate: to perform, carry out, or fulfill (an official duty or function); to perform the duties or function of some office or position

unexceptionable: beyond reproach; beyond criticism; unimpeachable

apropos: (as adj) Of an appropriate or pertinent nature. (as preposition) Regarding or concerning.

attrition: a gradual, natural reduction in membership or personnel, as through retirement, resignation, or death; wearing or grinding down by friction

impinge: To interfere with; to encroach (on, upon).

wont: (as noun) one’s habitual way of doing things; as in: "It was his [noun] to rise at dawn." ... (as adj) accustomed or apt to doing something; as in: "He was [adj] to rise at dawn." "Folly is [adj] to have more followers and comrades than discretion."

afeared: A regional variation of afraid (British and Southern U.S.).

disport: to amuse oneself divertingly or playfully; to cavort or gambol; to display ostentatiously

predicate: to announce or assert publicly; to proclaim; declare; affirm

predicated: to have found or derived (a statement, action, etc.); based; as in: "He [verb]ed his behavior on his faith in humanity."

formative: pertaining to the formation and subsequent growth of something

conciliate: make calm and content; placate; mediate in a dispute

prefigure: to show or suggest ahead of time; to represent beforehand; to predict or foresee; to picture or represent to oneself beforehand; imagine

delict: a civil wrong redressable by compensation or punitive damages; tort; a wrongful act for which the person injured has the right to a civil remedy

flagrant: obvious and offensive, blatant, scandalous; on fire, flaming

downscale: pertaining to something downmarket, of a lower quality

oubliette: Dungeon only accessible by a trapdoor at the top.

nom de plume: a pen name or pseudonym

nom de guerre: an assumed name; a pseudonym

plinth: a flat base on which a structure or piece of equipment is placed

temperate: not excessive; moderate in the indulgence of the natural appetites or passions

temporize: To deliberately act evasively or prolong a discussion in order to gain time or postpone a decision, sometimes in order to reach a compromise or simply to make a conversation more temperate.

gala: a showy and festive celebration; pomp; a festive occasion; special entertainment

tannoy: a public address system; loudspeaker

polymorphous: Having, or assuming, a variety of forms, characters, or styles; as in: "a [adj] author."

ecclesiastic: Of or pertaining to the church; ecclesiastical.

economy: effective management of the resources of a community or system; as in: "One little girl managed, with felicitous [noun], to get to a happy ending in just nine paragraphs."

waffle: to speak or write equivocally about; as in: "to [verb] on a campaign promise"

whiffle: to waffle, talk aimlessly; to shift about; vacillate; be fickle; to blow a short gust

aberration: the act of departing from the right, normal, or usual course; wandering; deviation, especially from truth or moral rectitude, from the natural state, or from a type

defer: to delay or postpone

gratuity: something given without claim or demand; a gift of money, over and above payment due for service, as to a waiter or bellhop; tip

timidity: the quality of being without self-assurance, courage, or bravery; a state of being easily alarmed or upset; shyness

tenor: the course of thought or meaning that runs through something written or spoken; purport; drift; sense; import; substance; gist

wan: pale, sickly-looking; dim, faint

vituperation: Criticism or invective which is sustained and considered to be overly harsh; abuse; severe censure; blame

vertiginous: having an aspect of great depth, drawing the eye to look downwards; inducing a feeling of giddiness, vertigo, dizziness or of whirling

vacillation: unsteady movement; fluctuation; indecision in speech or action; irresolution

tumid: swollen, enlarged, bulging; distended; tediously pompous; bombastic; high-flown; inflated; overblown; turgid

tendentious: having a tendency; written or spoken with a partisan, biased or prejudiced purpose; implicitly or explicitly slanted

sycophancy: the fawning behavior of a lackey; servile flattery

succulence: abundant in juices; juicy; rich in desirable qualities; affording mental nourishment

strident: loud; shrill, piercing, high-pitched; rough-sounding; grating or obnoxious

solvent: Able to pay all debts as they become due, and having no more liabilities than assets.

sententious: full of meaning; using as few words as possible; pithy and concise

scion: a descendant, especially a first-generation descendant; a detached shoot or twig containing buds from a woody plant, used in grafting

misfeasance: wrongful exercise of lawful authority; the improper performance of an act that is lawful in itself; relating to the wrongful use of legal authority

nonfeasance: the omission of some act that ought to have been performed; the intentional failure to perform an official duty or legal requirement

malfeasance: the performance by a public official of an act that is legally unjustified, harmful, or contrary to law; wrongdoing (used especially of an act in violation of a public trust); misconduct or wrongdoing, especially by a public official that causes damage

maleficence: harmfulness or mischief

maleficent: Harmful or evil in intent or effect.

bourgeois: of or related to the middle class, especially its attitudes and conventions; dominated or characterized by materialistic pursuits or concerns

remonstrate: To formally protest, object to, or rebel against.

rueful: Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.

repine: to regret; to complain; to be low spirited or fretful

redact: to put into suitable literary form; revise; edit

redaction: Edited or censored version of a document.

razzmatazz: noisy or showy fuss and activity; ambiguous or meaningless language

razzle-dazzle: Glitz, glamor/glamour, showiness, or pizazz; schmaltz.

province: a department or branch of learning or activity; as in: "the [noun] of mathematics"

porcine: of, or pertaining to, the pig; overweight to the extent of resembling a pig

perfidiousness: the quality of being deliberately unfaithful; treacherous; deceitful; as in: "a lover with an infamous [noun]ness"

perdition: eternal damnation

ossified: Inflexible or old-fashioned ideas and attitudes.

opprobrious: conveying or expressing shameful conduct; outrageously disgraceful; as in: "[adj] invectives"

aphorism: An original laconic phrase conveying some principle or concept of thought.

edict: a proclamation of law or other authoritative command

fiat: an arbitrary decree or pronouncement, especially by a person or group of persons having absolute authority to enforce it; directive; as in: "The king ruled by [noun]"

mandate: (as noun) an authoritative order or command; edict; dictum; fiat ... (as verb) to authorize or decree, as by the enactment of law; order; require

nugatory: of no real value; trivial, trifling; of little importance; ineffective, invalid or futile

niggling: petty; trivial; inconsequential; as in: "to quibble about a [adj] difference in terminology"

misbegotten: badly conceived, made, or carried out: as in: "his [adj] plan"; born out of wedlock; illegitimate; ill-conceived

maladroit: tactless and insensitive in behavior or speech; not dexterous; clumsy; inept; awkward

lectern: a stand with a slanted top used to support a lecturer's notes

kerfuffle: A disorderly outburst, disturbance, commotion or tumult.

inveigh: to protest strongly or attack vehemently with words; rail

insolvent: Owing more than one has in assets.

inscrutable: difficult or impossible to comprehend, fathom or interpret

grimly: Grim-looking, grim-natured.

fulsome: encompassing all aspects; comprehensive; abundant; copious; fully developed; mature; offensive to good taste, especially as being excessive; overdone or gross

excoriate: To strongly denounce or censure.

equivocation: The use of expressions susceptible to a double signification, possibly with an aim to mislead.

ennoble: To bestow with honor or grace.

emetic: causing nausea and vomiting

effulgence: A state of being bright and radiant, splendor, brilliance.

apprised: notified, or made aware; informed

subsidize: To assist someone or something by granting financial support.

gravitas: substance, weight; seriousness in bearing or manner; dignity

dulcet: Sweet, especially when describing voice or tones; melodious.

disconsolate: cheerless, dreary

deftly: in a nimble and skillful manner, i.e. quickly and neatly in action

contrariety: opposition between one thing and another; disagreement; cross-purposes, marked contrast

concentric: having a common center

columbarium: a sepulchral vault or other structure with recesses in the walls to receive the ashes of the dead

cohort: a group of people supporting the same thing or person; an accomplice; an associate in crime

benighted: plunged into darkness

automaticity: The ability to do things without occupying the mind with the low level details required.

tout: to publicly praise or promote

unfeigned: genuine; not false or hypocritical

refulgent: radiant; shiny; brilliant

spendthrift: one who spends money wastefully

contiguous: sharing a border; touching; adjacent

preen: to dress up; to primp; to groom oneself with elaborate care

prodigious: abundant in size, force, or extent; extraordinary

sanction: authoritative permission or approval; a penalty intended to enforce compliance

urbane: sophisticated; refined; elegant

heretical: violating accepted dogma or convention

inveigle: to obtain by deception or flattery; as in: "to [verb] a person into playing bridge"

chary: wary; cautious; sparing; as in: "[adj] of his praise"

complaisance: the willingness to comply with the wishes of others

didactic: intended to teach or instruct

ebullience: the quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings

emollient: soothing, esp. to the skin; making less harsh

smarmy: Falsely earnest, smug, or ingratiating.

defenestrate: To eject or throw (someone or something) from a window.

gorgonzola: A blue-veined Italian cheese, made from cow's milk.

coprolite: fossilized dung

constabulary: Characteristic to police; police-like (as opposed to military)

colloquy: A formal conversation.

poltroon: An ignoble or total coward; a dastard; a mean-spirited wretch.

oracular: Prophetic, foretelling the future.

mastication: The process of chewing.

vomitorium: A passage located behind a tier of seats in an amphitheatre used as an exit for the crowds

propitiation: placation, atonement, expiation.

festoon: An ornament such as a garland or chain which hangs loosely from two tacked spots.

obsolescent: In the process of becoming obsolete, but not obsolete yet.

bilateral: having two sides

schmaltz: exaggerated sentimentalism, as in music or soap operas; liquid chickenfat

vociferous: Making or characterized by a noisy outcry; clamorous.

contingent: (noun) An event which may or may not happen; that which is unforeseen, undetermined, or dependent on something future; a contingency. (adj) Dependent on something that is undetermined or unknown; as in: "[adj] upon successful project completion."

rancorous: characterized by bitter, long-lasting resentment

sedulous: persistently or carefully maintained; hard-working; diligent in application or attention; persevering; assiduous; as in: "[adj] flattery"

minutia: A minor detail, often of negligible importance.

pervade: to permeate throughout

polemical: controversial; argumentative

idolatrous: given to intense or excessive devotion to something

impetuous: hastily or rashly energetic; impulsive and vehement

mendacity: the condition of being untruthful; dishonesty

acerbic: having a sour or bitter taste or character

amenable: agreeable; responsive to suggestion

bombast: self-important or pompous writing or speech

reverent: marked by, feeling, or expressing a feeling of profound awe and respect

superfluous: exceeding what is sufficient or necessary

pedagogy: the art or profession of training, teaching, or instructing

pith: the essential or central part

profuse: given or coming forth abundantly; extravagant

infelicitous: unfortunate; inappropriate

hackneyed: rendered trite or commonplace by frequent usage

imbroglio: A complicated situation; an entanglement; an intricate and perplexing state of affairs. This term is sometimes applied to music in which parts play against each other resulting in a sound that embodies an orderly chaos.

quandary: A dilemma, a difficult decision or choice.

embroil: To draw into a situation; to cause to be involved.

extricate: To free, disengage, loosen, or untangle.

extrication: the act or process disentangling; a freeing from perplexities; disentanglement

prescriptive: giving directions or injunctions, especially actions or behaviors based on norms and standards.

enjoin: To lay upon, as an order or command; to give an injunction to; to direct with authority; to order; to charge

injunction: the act of enjoining; the act of directing, commanding, or prohibiting; an order; a mandate; a decree; a command; a precept; a direction

prerogative: An official or hereditary right or privilege.

untenable: Not able to be held, as of an opinion or position; unholdable, indefensible.

transmigrate: to pass into another body after death; to migrate to another country

middling: of intermediate or average size, position or quality; mediocre

syzygy: any two related things, either alike or opposite; a kind of unity, namely an alignment of three celestial bodies (for example, the Sun, Earth, and Moon) wherein one body is directly between the other two, such as occurs at an eclipse

titillate: To stimulate or excite pleasantly

transmogrify: To completely alter the form of.

avuncular: In the manner of an uncle, pertaining to an uncle.

undulant: Having the characteristics of a wave; wavelike

brouhaha: A stir; a fuss or uproar.

oeuvre: A work of art.

synecdoche: A figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or the whole for a part, the special for the general or the general for the special; as in "ten sail" for "ten ships" ... or "a Croesus" for "a rich man."

cojones: testicles

troglodyte: A member of a supposed prehistoric race that lived in caves or holes, a caveman.

idiosyncratic: Peculiar to a specific individual; eccentric.

hidebound: Having the skin adhering so closely to the ribs and back as not to be easily loosened or raised.

osculate: To kiss someone or something.

oxymoron: A figure of speech in which two words with opposing meanings are used together intentionally for effect.

fictive: fictional, fanciful or invented

fandango: A form of flamenco music and dance

torque: a force that causes rotation

quiescence: stillness; motionlessness; quality of being at rest

virulent: extremely harmful or poisonous; bitterly hostile or antagonistic

qualms: misgivings; reservations; causes for hesitancy

redoubtable: awe-inspiring; worthy of honor; commanding or evoking respect, reverence, or the like; to be feared; formidable

sordid: characterized by filth, grime, or squalor; foul

squalid: sordid; wretched and dirty as from neglect

oscillation: the act or state of swinging back and forth with a steady, uninterrupted rhythm

allegory: a symbolical narrative; a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another

affable: Receiving others kindly and conversing with them in a free and friendly manner; friendly, courteous, sociable.

verisimilitude: a statement which merely appears to be true; the property of seeming true, of resembling reality; resemblance to reality, realism

calumniate: to make false and malicious statements about; slander

bromide: a platitude or trite saying; a person who is platitudinous and boring

paean: a song or hymn of praise and thanksgiving; a hymn of invocation or thanksgiving to Apollo or some other ancient Greek deity

blinkered: Having tunnel vision; unable to see what is happening around one.

adroit: dexterous, deft or skillful

axiomatic: taken as a given; possessing self-evident truth

canonical: following or in agreement with accepted, traditional standards

bucolic: rustic and pastoral; characteristic of rural areas and their inhabitants

culpable: deserving blame

contemporaneous: Existing or created in the same period of time.

extemporaneous: improvised; done without preparation

fulminate: to loudly attack or denounce

tortuous: full of twists, turns, or bends; crooked; excessively complicated; deceitfully indirect or morally crooked, as proceedings, methods, or policy; devious

prescience: foreknowledge of events; knowing of events prior to their occurring

ennui: dissatisfaction and restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy

inured: accustomed to accepting something undesirable

confer: grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right); have discussions; exchange opinions; deliberate

priggish: Self-righteously moralistic and superior.

preempt: to appropriate something (before someone else does)

predilection: Condition of favoring or liking; tendency towards; proclivity;

pique: A feeling of hurt, vexation, or resentment, awakened by a social slight or injury. As in: "a fit of [noun]"

piquant: Engaging; charming.

homage: A demonstration of respect, such as towards an individual after their retirement or death.

perquisite: any monetary or other incidental benefit beyond salary; a gratuity or tip

perfidy: act of violating faith or allegiance; deliberate breach of trust; faithlessness; treachery

palliative: Minimising the progression of a disease and relieving undesirable symptoms for as long as possible, rather than attempting to cure the (usually incurable) disease.

ornate: flashy, flowery or showy

obeisance: Taking a bow, to show an obedient attitude.

narcissism: Love of oneself.

moribund: Approaching death; about to die; expiring

meritorious: deserving of merit or commendation; deserving reward

mellifluous: sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding.

luminary: One that is an inspiration to others; one who has achieved success in his chosen field; a leading light.

liquidate: To settle a debt by paying the outstanding amount.

liniment: A topical medical preparation intended to be rubbed into the skin with friction, such as to relieve symptoms of arthritis.

laudable: praiseworthy; commendable

lambaste: To scold, reprimand or criticize harshly.

jingoist: One who advocates an aggressive nationalism; one who vociferously supports a nation's military aims.

jaunt: A wearisome journey.

insouciant: carefree; nonchalant; indifferent; casually unconcerned.

obloquy: disgrace suffered from abusive language; discredit, disgrace, or bad repute resulting from public blame, abuse, or denunciation

ignominy: great dishonor, shame, or humiliation; disrepute; obloquy

homily: a sermon, especially concerning a practical matter; an inspirational saying or cliche

goldbrick: (slang) A shirker or malingerer

germane: Related to the topic being discussed or considered.

galvanize: to startle into sudden activity; stimulate.

gaffe: A foolish error, especially one made in public.

furrow: A trench cut in the soil, as when plowed in order to plant a crop.

fracas: A noisy disorderly quarrel, fight, brawl, disturbance or scrap.

flout: To express contempt for the rules by word or action.

expeditious: Fast, prompt, speedy.

exhume: To dig out of the ground; to take out of a place of burial; to disinter.

execrate: To feel loathing for; abhor.

ethereal: Pertaining to the hypothetical upper, purer air, or to the higher regions beyond the earth or beyond the atmosphere; celestial; otherworldly;

divisive: Having a quality that divides or separates

discomfit: To defeat completely; to rout.

desalinate: To remove the salt from something, especially from seawater for use in a domestic water supply

corroborate: To confirm, strengthen or support something with additional evidence; to attest or vouch.

conscript: One who is compulsorily enrolled, often into a military service; a draftee.

cogitate: To meditate, to ponder, to think deeply.

closefisted: Unwilling to spend money; stingy

bilious: extremely unpleasant or distasteful; peevish; irritable; cranky; pertaining to something that includes bile

choleric: Easily becoming angry.

chimerical: Being a figment of the imagination.

chagrin: Distress of mind caused by a failure of aims or plans, want of appreciation, mistakes etc; vexation or mortification.

cavil: To criticise for petty or frivolous reasons.

catharsis: A release of emotional tension after an overwhelming vicarious experience.

calipers: A device used to measure thickness between two surfaces, especially for small or precise measurements.

carp: To complain about a fault; to harp on.

captious: Having a disposition to find fault unreasonably or to raise petty objections.

capitulate: To end all resistance; to give up; to go along with or comply;

canvass: a solicitation of voters or opinions

canon: A generally accepted principle.

diminution: A lessening, decrease or reduction.

unilateral: done by one side only

turbid: Cloudy, opaque, or thick with suspended matter.

threadbare: shabby, frayed and worn to an extent that warp threads show

tenable: capable of being maintained or justified; well-founded

subterfuge: Deceit used in order to achieve one's goal.

subsidy: financial support or assistance, such as a grant.

skinflint: one who is excessively stingy or cautious with money; a tightwad; a miser

sagacity: The quality of being wise or able to make good decisions.

semaphore: Any visual signaling system with flags, lights, or mechanically moving arms.

semantic: Reflecting intended structure and meaning.

scrupulous: Exactly and carefully conducted.

retrenchment: A defensive entrenchment consisting of a trench and parapet

renege: To break a promise or commitment; to go back on one's word.

redolent: fragrant or aromatic; having a sweet scent

warranty: A written guarantee given to the purchaser by the manufacturer or dealer, usually specifying that the manufacturer will make any repairs or replace defective parts free of charge for a stated period of time. Security; Guarantee; Assurance; Authorization

subversive: in opposition to a civil authority or government; intended to [verb] an established system or institution; disruptive, troublemaking, inflammatory, insurrectionary

hobnob: to associate with in a friendly manner; chatting with people of a higher class or status

debonair: (of a man) confident, stylish, and charming; suave, urbane and sophisticated

ostensibly: seemingly, apparently, on the surface

detritus: Organic waste material from decomposing dead plants or animals.

beholden: Obligated to provide, display, or do something for another; bound by moral obligation; indebted; obliged.

drubbed: (past tense) forcefully taught something; beaten with a stick

hedge: A non-committal or intentionally ambiguous statement.

vet: to thoroughly check or investigate particularly with regard to providing formal approval

purview: the scope of the influence or concerns of something

fusty: moldy or musty

fabulator: One who writes, studies or recites fables frequently; often professionally

lambent: Brushing or flickering gently over a surface.

floccinaucinihilipilification: The act or habit of describing or regarding something as worthless. From 1741 in Britain, it is a combination of four Latin words all signifying "at a small price" or "for nothing," which were listed together in a rule of the well-known Eton Latin Grammar

uxorious: Overly devoted or submissive to one's wife.

isochronous: happening at regular intervals

callipygian: Having beautifully shaped buttocks.

variegated: very colorful.

undulate: To cause to move in a wavelike motion.

turpitude: Inherent baseness or depravity; corruptness and evilness.

truculent: Eager or quick to argue or fight; aggressively defiant

incisive: quick and direct; intelligently analytical and concise

transmute: Change in form, nature, or substance

torpid: Mentally or physically inactive; lethargic

timorous: fearful, afraid, timid

temerity: Reckless boldness; foolish bravery.

tantamount: To amount to as much; to be equivalent.

surreptitious: stealthy, furtive, well hidden, covert (especially movements)

staid: Serious, organized, and professional; sober

somnolent: Drowsy or sleepy.

serendipity: The occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way

scurrilous: Making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation

sanctimonious: Making a show of being morally better than others, especially hypocritically pious.

censure: (as verb) to formally rebuke; (as noun) an official reprimand

reprove: to criticize or correct, especially gently; to reprimand or censure

rectitude: Morally correct behavior or thinking; righteousness

rancor: Bitterness or resentfulness, esp. when long-standing

punctilious: Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

prosaic: Straightforward; matter-of-fact; lacking the feeling or elegance of poetry.

propitious: Giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable

promulgate: To make known or public.

primeval: Belonging to the first ages.

pertinacious: Holding tenaciously to an opinion or purpose.

perspicacity: The quality of having a ready insight into things; shrewdness

pernicious: Having a harmful effect, esp. in a gradual or subtle way

penurious: Extremely poor; poverty-stricken

pellucid: Lucid in style or meaning; easily understood

pathos: A quality that evokes pity or sadness

odious: Extremely unpleasant; repulsive

obstreperous: Noisy and difficult to control

multifarious: Many and of various types

munificence: The quality or action of being lavishly generous; great generosity

morass: A complicated or confused situation

modicum: A small, modest or trifling amount.

mawkish: Sentimental in a feeble or sickly way

manifold: Something with many different parts or forms, in particular

inveterate: Having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change

insidious: Producing serious harm in a stealthy, often gradual, manner.

ineffable: Beyond expression in words; unspeakable.

incontrovertible: Not capable of being denied, challenged, or disputed; closed to questioning.

indefatigable: Extremely persistent and untiring.

impertinent: Not showing proper respect; rude

imperious: Assuming power or authority without justification; arrogant and domineering

impassive: Having, or revealing, no emotion.

ignominious: Deserving or causing public disgrace or shame

harangue: Lecture (someone) at length in an aggressive and critical manner

grandiloquence: lofty, pompous or bombastic speech or writing

fastidious: Excessively particular, demanding, or fussy about details.

extol: Praise enthusiastically

expunge: To erase or strike out.

execrable: of the poorest quality

evince: Reveal the presence of (a quality or feeling)

egregious: Exceptional, conspicuous, outstanding, most usually in a negative fashion.

effulgent: shining, resplendent, with radiant splendor

discursive: Tending to digress from the main point; rambling.

desiccated: Lacking interest, passion, or energy

demure: Quiet, modest, reserved, or serious.

credulity: A willingness to believe in someone or something in the absence of reasonable proof.

conflagration: A large fire extending to many objects, or over a large space; a general burning.

concomitant: Naturally accompanying or associated

clemency: Mercy; lenience

brusque: Rudely abrupt, unfriendly.

aspersion: An attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something

anathema: something or someone that one vehemently dislikes; a curse; execration; any imprecation of divine punishment; via Church Latin from Greek: something accursed, dedicated (to evil)

adumbrate: To foreshadow vaguely.

acrimony: sharp and bitter hatred

zenith: The time at which something is most powerful or successful

vilify: To say defamatory things about someone or something.

egalitarian: Characterized by social equality and equal rights for all people.

despotism: government by a singular authority, either a single person or tight-knit group, which rules with absolute power

despot: A ruler with absolute power; a tyrant.

ardor: great warmth of feeling; fervor; passion

winsome: charming; happily engaging

yoke: (as verb) to join together, couple, link, or unite; (as noun) a device for joining together a pair of draft animals, especially oxen; harness; an agency of oppression, subjection, servitude, etc.

vituperate: to abuse verbally; berate

voluble: talkative; speaking easily; glib

venerable: respected because of age

vernal: related to spring; fresh

transitory: temporary; lasting a brief time

trenchant: acute, sharp, or incisive; forceful; effective

turgid: swollen as from a fluid; bloated

umbrage: offense; resentment

upbraid: to scold sharply

usury: the practice of lending money at exorbitant rates

sycophant: a self-serving flatterer; yes-man

syncopation: temporary irregularity in musical rhythm

taciturn: silent; not talkative

tawdry: gaudy, cheap,or showy

terrestrial: earthly; down to earth; commonplace

stratagem: trick designed to deceive an enemy

supplant: to replace (another) by force; to take the place of

surfeit: excessive amount

surly: rude and bad-tempered

sedition: any action, especially in speech or writing, that incites civil disorder, discontent, or rebellion against a government

seraphic: angelic; sweet

sinecure: a well-paying job or office that requires little or no work

slake: to calm down or moderate

sobriquet: a humorous epithet, assumed name, or nickname

solecism: gtrammatical mistake; blunder in speech

spartan: highly self-disciplined; frugal; austere

sportive: frolicsome; playful

rococo: very highly ornamented; relating to an 18th century artistic style of elaborate ornamentation

sacrosanct: extremely sacred; beyond criticism

scintilla: trace amount

rarefy: to make thinner or sparser

redress: relief from wrong or injury

repast: meal or mealtime

requite: to make repayment or return for (service, benefits, etc.)

restive: impatient; uneasy; restless; nervous; unquiet; recalcitrant; disobedient; obstinate; refusing to go forward; balky: "a (word) horse"

ribald: humorous in a vulgar way

condescension: behavior that is patronizing; voluntary descent from one's rank or dignity in intercourse with an inferior

raconteur: witty, skillful storyteller

pugilism: boxing

reconnoiter: To perform a reconnaissance (of an area; an enemy position); to scout with the aim of gaining information.

querulous: inclined to complain; irritable; peevish

precis: a short summary of the facts; the essentials of a text; abstract

prescient: having foresight

proclivity: a natural inclination or predisposition

dissolute: recklessly abandoned to sensual pleasures; indifferent to moral restraints; given to immoral or improper conduct; licentious; dissipated; corrupt; debauched; wanton

dissipated: indulging in or characterized by excessive devotion to pleasure; intemperate; dissolute; wasteful of health or possessions in the pursuit of gratification

profligate: utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated; thoroughly dissolute; recklessly prodigal or extravagant; corrupt; degenerate

plebeian: crude or coarse; characteristic of commoners; (in ancient Rome) pertaining to the common people, as contrasted with the patricians and later with the senatorial nobility or the equestrian order.

plucky: courageous; spunky

politic: shrewd and practical in managing or dealing with things; diplomatic

polemic: a controversial argument, as one against some opinion, doctrine, etc.; a person who argues in opposition to another; controversialist

polyglot: a speaker of many languages

potentate: a monarch or ruler with great power

whereof: Of what; of which; of whom.

perspicacious: shrewd, astute, or keen-witted

phalanx: a compact or close-knit body of people, animals, or things; a number of people united for a common purpose; (in ancient Greece) a group of heavily armed infantry formed in ranks and files close and deep, with shields joined and long spears overlapping.

philistine: a person who is guided by materialism and is disdainful of intellectual or artistic values

pithy: profound or substantial, yet concise, succinct and to the point

pathology: Any deviation from a healthy or normal condition; abnormality.

parley: discussion, usually between enemies

parry: to ward off or deflect, especially by a quickwitted answer

pastiche: piece of literature or music imitating other works

pathogenic: causing disease

peccadillo: a very minor or slight sin or offense; a trifling fault

pedant: someone who shows off learning; a person who adheres rigidly to book knowledge without regard to common sense; a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details

peregrinate: traverse; travel; journey; voyage; to wander about from place to place, especially to walk on foot

palatial: relating to a palace; magnificent

palliate: to make less serious; ease

panoply: a complete or magnificent array; the entire equipment of a warrior

paradox: a contradiction or dilemma

pariah: an outcast; any person or animal that is generally despised or avoided; a member of a low caste in southern India and Burma

opine: to express an opinion

orotund: pompous; bombastic; speech characterized by strength, fullness, richness, and clearness.

ossify: to change into bone; to become inflexible; hardened or set in a rigidly conventional pattern

ostentation: excessive showiness; pretentious or conspicuous show, as of wealth or importance; display intended to impress others

nettle: to irritate

noisome: stinking; putrid

nominal: existing in name only; negligble

numismatics: coin collecting

oblique: indirect or evasive; misleading or devious

nadir: lowest point

neologism: A new word, meaning, usage, or phrase; In Psychiatry: a new word, often consisting of a combination of other words, that is understood only by the speaker: occurring most often in the speech of schizophrenics.

militate: to operate against; work against

missive: a written note or letter

monastic: extremly plain or secluded, as in a monastery

mannered: artifical or stilted in character

martinet: strict discipliarian; one who rigidly follows rules

maudlin: overly sentimental

mendicant: a beggar; (also used as an adjective: pertaining to or characteristic of a beggar; living on alms)

mercurial: quick, shrewd, and unpredictable

meretricious: gaudy; falsely attractive

lumber: to move slowly and awkwardly

machination: plot or scheme

magnate: powerful or influential person

malinger: to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill; to feign indisposition, especially in order to shirk one's duty, avoid work, etc.

vouchsafe: To condescendingly grant a right, benefit, outcome, etc.; to deign to acknowledge.

demiurge: Something (as an institution, idea, or individual) conceived as an autonomous creative force or decisive power.

lachrymose: given to shedding tears readily; tearful; mournful

licentious: immoral; unrestrained by society; lawless; lascivious; libertine; lewd

limpid: clear; transparent

lionize: to treat as a celebrity

lissome: easily flexed; limber; agile

juncture: point of time, especially where two things are joined

jingoism: belligerent support of one's country

knell: sound of a funeral bell; omen of death or failure

plaintive: Sorrowful, mournful or melancholic.

conspicuous: Obvious or easy to notice.

ostensible: outwardly appearing as such; professed; apparent, evident, or conspicuous; alleged, having an intention that is possibly but not obviously true

largess: generous giving (as of money) to others who may seem inferior

latitudinous: having latitude, scope, range, breadth, etc., especially of ideas, interests, interpretations, or the like: e.g., "...a Renaissance man of (word) outlook."

legerdemain: any artful trick; sleight of hand

libertine: a free thinker, usually used disparagingly; one without moral restraint

intrepid: fearless; resolutely courageous

inure: to harden; accustom; become used to

investiture: ceremony conferring authority

invidious: envious, obnoxious, or offensive, likely to promote ill-will

itinerant: wandering from place to place; unsettled

inter: to bury

interregnum: period between reigns; any interval of freedom from the usual authority; any pause or interruption in continuity

intransigent: uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled

latent: potential that is not readily apparent

languid: lacking energy; indifferent

lapidary: relating to precious stones or the art of cutting them

inexorable: inflexible; unyielding

ingrate: ungrateful person

ingratiate: to gain favor with another by deliberate effort; to seek to please somebody so as to gain an advantage

inimical: hostile; unfriendly

iniquity: sin; evil act

inquest: an investigation; an inquiry

ignoble: having low moral standards; not noble in character; mean

imbue: to infuse, dye, wet, or moisten

impasse: blocked path; dilemma with no solution

impecunious: poor; having no money

malediction: a wish of evil upon another; the utterance of a curse against someone or something; slanderous accusation or comment

execration: An act or instance of cursing; a curse dictated by violent feelings of hatred; an imprecation; an expression of utter detestation.

imprecation: a curse; the act of cursing; malediction; execration.

cowed: Intimidated. Frightened into submission. (primarily in the passive voice)

incarnadine: blood-red in color

hermetic: tightly sealed

redacted: to put into suitable literary form; edited or censored.

hoary: very old; whitish or gray from age

husband: to manage economically; to use sparingly

iconoclast: one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions

idiosyncrasy: peculiarity of temperament; eccentricity

forestall: to prevent or delay; anticipate

fractious: unruly; rebellious

furtive: secret; stealthy

gambol: to dance or skip around playfully

gestation: growth process from conception to birth

glib: fluent in an insincere manner; offhand; casual

glower: to glare or stare angrily and intensely

gradation: process occurring by regular degrees or stages; variation in color

fallow: dormant; unused

blandish: to praise someone dishonestly; to flatter or butter up; grovel; fawn; coax

fecund: fertile; fruitful; productive

fervid: intensely emotional; feverish

florid: excessively decorated or embellished

practicable: Serving a useful function; workable, achievable, attainable, functional or handy. Capable of being accomplished; feasible.

impracticable: impossible or difficult in practice

quixotic: Possessing the desire to do noble and romantic deeds, without thought of realism and practicality; impulsive; rashly unpredictable; visionary, impractical, or impracticable.

estimable: admirable

euphonious: Pleasant-sounding; agreeable to the ear; harmonious; euphonic

euphony: pleasant, harmonious sound

exculpate: to clear from blame; prove innocent

exigent: urgent; requiring immediate action

exonerate: to clear of blame

exponent: one who champions or advocates

enumerate: to count, list, or itemize

epicure: person with refined taste in food and wine

sepulchral: hollow and deep; suggestive of a grave

pulchritude: Physical beauty.

pulchritudinous: Having physical beauty.

enfeeble: To make weak; deprive of strength; enervate; debilitate.

disutility: uselessness, a lack of utility

continence: Moderation or self-restraint, especially in sexual activity; abstinence; temperance; moderation.

vicissitude: interchange or alternation, as of states or things; successive, alternating, or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune; ups and downs; change; mutation; mutability. (often pluralized)

esoteric: known or understood only by a few

dyspeptic: suffering from indigestion; gloomy and irritable

edify: to instruct or benefit, especially morally or spiritually; uplift

effigy: stuffed doll; likeness of a person

panegyric: A lofty oration, writing, or opus in praise of a person or thing; eulogy.

exhortation: a speech or written passage intended to persuade, inspire, or encourage

encomium: a formal expression of high praise; eulogy; panegyric

distaff: the female branch of a family; noting, pertaining to, characteristic of, or suitable for a female. (Sometimes Offensive)

dither: to act confusedly or without clear purpose

diurnal: existing during the day

divine: to foretell or know by inspiration

doctrinaire: rigidly devoted to theories without regard for practicality; dogmatic

droll: amusing in a wry, subtle way

dilate: to make larger; expand

dilatory: intended to delay

interpose: To insert something (or oneself) between other things; cause to intervene; mediate; put in (a remark, question, etc.) in the midst of a conversation, discourse, or the like.

demagogue: a leader or rabble-rouser, usually appealing to emotion or prejudice

demur: To express doubts or objections, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception.

diaphanous: allowing light to show through; delicate

dictum: An authoritative statement; maxim.

cosset: To treat with great care; treat as a pet; pamper; coddle.

coterie: An intimate group of persons with a similar purpose; an exclusive group; clique.

credulous: too trusting; gullible

cupidity: greed; strong desire

curmudgeon: cranky person, usually old

dilettante: An amateur, someone who dabbles in a field out of casual/superficial interest rather than as a profession or serious interest.

debutante: young woman making debut in high society

acclivity: A slope or inclination of the earth, as the side of a hill, considered as ascending, in opposition to declivity, or descending; an upward slope; ascent.

declivity: downward slope

decorous: proper; tasteful; socially correct

chauvinist: Someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs.

cloying: sickly sweet; excessive

coalesce: to grow together to form a single whole

collusion: collaboration; complicity; conspiracy

coffer: strongbox; large chest for money

condone: to overlook, pardon, or disregard

supplicate: To humble oneself before another in making a request; to beg.

contumacious: Stubbornly perverse or rebellious; willfully and obstinately disobedient.

castigate: to punish or criticize harshly

cabal: a secret group seeking to overturn something

calumny: a false and malicious accusation; misrepresentation

canard: a lie

august: dignified; grandiose

belfry: bell tower; room in which a bell in hung

bifurcate: to divide into two parts

bilk: to cheat; defraud

bonhomie: good-natured geniality; atmosphere of good cheer

apocryphal: of questionable authority or authenticity

apostate: one who renounces a religious faith

metier: a field of work; forte; occupation, trade, or profession.

attenuate: to reduce in force or degree; weaken

augury: prophecy; prediction of events

amortize: to diminish by installment payments

analgesia: a lessening of pain without loss of consciousness

anodyne: something that calms or soothes pain

anomaly: deviation from what is normal

accretion: a growth in size; increase in amount

acidulous: sour in taste or manner

acme: highest point; summit; the highest level or degree attainable

affected: phony; artificial; "affected sophistication; an affected British accent."

aggrandize: to increase in power, influence, and reputation

abase: to humble; disgrace

abdicate: to give up a position, right, or power

firmament: The vault of the heavens; the sky.

heterodoxy: Dissenting opinion, heresy, nonconforming opinion

protean: Exceedingly variable; readily assuming different shapes or forms.

parsimony: Extreme or excessive economy or frugality; stinginess; niggardliness.

Occam’s razor: This principle states that one should not make more assumptions than the minimum needed. Of two competing theories, the simpler explanation of an entity is to be preferred. Also called the law of economy or law of parsimony. “Entities are not to be mult

ferment: A state of agitation or of turbulent change.

Pantheism: Any religious belief or philosophical doctrine that identifies God with the universe.

modus ponens: A valid form of argument in which the antecedent of a conditional proposition is affirmed, thereby entailing the affirmation of the consequent.Ex: (1) If A, then B (2) A (3) Thus, B

modus tollens: A valid form of argument in which the consequent of a conditional proposition is denied, thus implying the denial of the antecedent. Ex: (1) If A, then B (2) not B (3) Thus, not A

syllogism: A formal argument in logic that is formed by two statements and a conclusion which must be true if the two statements are true.

xenophobia: An exaggerated or abnormal fear of strangers, foreigners, or their politics and culture.

dearth: A scarcity or lack of something

harbinger: A person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.

zeitgeist: The spirit of the age; the taste, outlook, and spirit characteristic of a period.

whinge: Complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way

tyro: a learner or beginner

tacit: Understood or implied without being stated

sybarite: A person who is self-indulgent in their fondness for sensuous luxury

sepsis: The presence in tissues of harmful bacteria and their toxins, typically through infection of a wound

puerile: Childishly silly and trivial

obfuscate: Render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible

maven: A self-styled expert in a given field.

Sartrean: Of or pertaining to this French writer and existentialist philosopher (1905-1980).

Luddite: A person opposed to increased industrialization or new technology; A member of any of various bands of workers in England (1811–16) organized to destroy manufacturing machinery, under the belief that its use diminished employment.

lascivious: Feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire

expiate: To atone or make reparation for.

cornucopia: A goat's horn endlessly overflowing with fruit, flowers and grain; or full of whatever its owner wanted.

Circean: Pleasing but dangerous; derived from an enchantress who detained Odysseus on her island and turned his men into swine.

ziggurat: A temple tower of the ancient Mesopotamian valley, having the form of a terraced pyramid of successively receding stories.

yeoman: An official providing honorable service in a royal or high noble household, ranking between a squire and a page.

winnow: Reduce the number in a set of (people or things) gradually until only the best ones are left

vehement: Showing strong feelings; passionate; forceful or intense.

unctuous: Oily or greasy.

tautology: The saying of the same thing twice in different words, generally considered to be a fault of style (e.g., they arrived one after the other in succession)

supercilious: showing contemptuous indifference; haughty.

subjugate: To forcibly impose obedience or servitude.

reparation: A payment of time, effort or money to undo past transgression(s).

reciprocal: Of an action, feeling, etc, done, felt, etc, by each of two people to, on or towards the other.

recapitulate: to summarize or repeat in concise form

quotidian: daily; occurring or recurring every day.

precipitous: Impassably steep, like a bluff or crag.

paradigm: A framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are shared by members of any discipline or group.

oligarchy: A government run by only a few, often the wealthy.

nonsectarian: Not involving or relating to a specific religious sect or political group

nomenclature: The names or terms comprising a set or system.

lugubrious: gloomy, mournful or dismal, especially to an exaggerated degree.

lexicon: The vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge

kowtow: To kneel and bow low enough to touch one’s forehead to the ground.

kinetic: Of or relating to motion

jejune: Lacking matter; empty; devoid of substance.

interpolate: To estimate the value of a function between two points between which it is tabulated.

inculcate: To teach by repeated instruction.

hubris: Excessive pride, presumption or arrogance (originally toward the gods).

homogeneous: similar, or the same as something else

hegemony: Domination, influence, or authority over another, especially by one political group over a society or by one nation over others

gerrymander: To divide a geographic area into voting districts in such a way as to give an unfair advantage to one party in an election.

gauche: Awkward or lacking in social graces; bumbling.

filibuster: Act in an obstructive manner in a legislature, esp. by speaking at inordinate length

fiduciary: One who holds a thing in trust for another; a trustee.

expurgate: Remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a book or account)

evanescent: vanishing, disappearing, fleeting

enfranchise: Give the right to vote to

diffident: Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

deciduous: Describing a part that falls of, or is shed, at a particular time or stage of development.

circumnavigate: To travel completely around somewhere or something, especially by sail.

circumlocution: A roundabout or indirect way of speaking; the use of more words than necessary to express an idea.

churlish: Of or pertaining to a serf, peasant, or rustic.

bowdlerize: To remove those parts of a text considered offensive, vulgar, or otherwise unseemly.

bellicose: Warlike in nature; aggressive; hostile.

auspicious: Of good omen; indicating future success.

latitude: freedom from narrow restrictions; freedom of action, opinion, etc.

acumen: quickness of perception or discernment; penetration of mind; the faculty of nice discrimination

abrogate: Repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement)

Antecedent: Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.

consequent: Following as a result, inference, or natural effect.

principle: A fundamental assumption.

pundit: A scholar, teacher, master of an art, or learned person.

jurisprudence: The philosophy, science and study of law and decisions based on the interpretation thereof

extant: Still in existence.

presuppose: To assume some truth without proof, usually for the purpose of reaching a conclusion based on that truth.

Acrimony: sharp and bitter hatred

Affable: Mild; benign.

Amenable: Willing to comply with; agreeable.

blithe: Indifferent, careless, showing a lack of concern.

Commendation: The act of commending; praise; favorable representation in words; recommendation.

Commensurate: proportionate; of a similar measurable standard

Consternation: Amazement or horror that confounds the faculties, and incapacitates for reflection; terror, combined with amazement; dismay.

countervail: To counteract, counterbalance or neutralize.

culpability: The degree of one's blameworthiness in the commission of a crime or offence.

equivocal: A word or expression capable of different meanings; an ambiguous term; an equivoque.

counterexample: An exception to a proposed general rule; a specific instance of the falsity of a universally quantified statement.

overwrought: in a state of excessive nervousness, excitement, or anger; Extremely tense, anxious, or upset; filled with emotion, emotional; uneasy

draconian: Very severe, oppressive or strict.

forbearing: Characterized by patience and indulgence; long-sufferingas, a forbearing temper.

faction: Strife; discord.

efface: To cause to disappear as if by rubbing out or striking out.

deleterious: harmful or hurtful, to physical, mental or moral health.

adulation: Flattery; fulsome praise.

spurious: false, not authentic, not genuine

incipient: beginning, starting, coming into existence.

parity: Equality; comparability of strength or intensity.

rejoinder: A quick response that involves disagreement or is witty; especially an answer to a reply.

spate: A sudden rush or increase.

impunity: Exemption from punishment.

adjudicate: To settle a legal case or other dispute.

circumspect: Carefully aware of all circumstances; considerate of all that is pertinent.

impugn: To verbally assault, especially to argue against an opinion, motive, or action; to question the truth or validity of.

exhort: To urge; to advise earnestly.

bandied: exchanged

upshot: a phenomenon that follows and is caused by some previous phenomenon

whence: From where; from which place or source.

wherefore: why; for what reason, because of what; therefore; for which reason, because of which

arrogate: To appropriate or lay claim to something for oneself without right.

assoil: To absolve, acquit; to release from blame or sin.

stultify: To prove to be of unsound mind or demonstrate someone's incompetence.

parochial: Characterized by an unsophisticated focus on local concerns to the exclusion of wider contexts; elementary in scope or outlook.

preternatural: Having an existence outside of the natural world. In this sense, everything supernatural is also preternatural.

stentorian: (of a voice) loud, powerful, booming, suitable for giving speeches to large crowds

sojourner: a person who resides temporarily in a place

welter: general confusion; disorderly mixture; aimless effort; as, a welter of papers and magazines

vitiate: to spoil, make faulty; to reduce the value, quality, or effectiveness of something

venal: capable of being corrupted

vaunt: To speak boastfully.

tutelary: Having guardianship or protection of

travail: arduous or painful labor

supplicant: begging, pleading, supplicating

subsume: To consider an occurrence as part of a principle or rule; to colligate

succor: Aid, assistance or relief given to one in distress; ministration.

appurtenances: equipment used for a specific task or purpose; gear

contretemps: An unforeseen, inopportune, or embarrassing event; a hitch

fungible: Able to be substituted for something of equal value.

apoplectic: Marked by extreme anger or fury.

Sisyphean: Incessant or incessantly recurring, but futile.

profligacy: careless wastefulness

comity: Courtesy and considerate behavior toward others

apotheosis: The fact or action of becoming a god; deification.

interlocutor: A person who takes part in dialogue or conversation.

risible: Of or pertaining to laughter.

paroxysm: A random or sudden outburst (of activity).

antebellum: Of the time period prior to a war.

pandemic: Widespread; general.

sanguine: Having the color of blood; red; cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident in disposition, expectations, etc.

sartorial: Of or relating to the tailoring of clothing.

fealty: Fidelity to one's lord; the feudal obligation by which the tenant or vassal was bound to be faithful to his lord; fidelity; allegiance; faithfulness.

ersatz: Made in imitation; artificial, especially of an inferior quality.

solipsism: The theory that the self is the only thing that can be known and verified.

feckless: Lacking purpose.

adenoidal: sounding as if the nose were pinched; "a whining nasal voice"

parlous: Attended with peril; dangerous; risky.

abstruse: concealed or hidden out of the way.

peripatetic: Walking about; itinerant; nomadic.

schadenfreude: Malicious enjoyment derived from observing someone else's misfortune.

sumptuary: Relating to expense; regulating expense or expenditure.

epistemological: Of or pertaining to epistemology or theory of knowledge, as a field of study

antediluvian: ancient or antiquated; old; prehistoric.

saturnine: (of a person or their manner) Slow and gloomy

louche: of questionable taste or morality; decadent

solipsistic: the philosophical theory that the self is all that you know to exist

sui generis: In a class of its own; one of a kind.

abjure: To renounce upon oath; to forswear; to disavow; repudiate.

disjointed: Not connected, coherent, or continuous.

disingenuous: Not noble; unbecoming true honor or dignity; mean; unworthy; fake or deceptive.

discrepancy: An inconsistency between facts or sentiments.

discredit: To harm the good reputation of a person; to cause an idea or piece of evidence to seem false or unreliable.

discerning: Having or showing good judgment

disabuse: Persuade (someone) that an idea or belief is mistaken

diffidence: Modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence

diatribe: A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something

desultory: Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm

desiccate: Lacking interest, passion, or energy

derivative: Imitative of the work of someone else.

deride: To harshly mock; ridicule.

denigrate: Criticize unfairly; disparage

deference: Humble submission and respect

vituperative: Bitter and abusive

decorum: Appropriate social behavior; propriety

daunt: To discourage, intimidate.

craven: Unwilling to fight; lacking even the rudiments of courage; extremely cowardly.

veracious: truthful

venerate: To treat with great respect and deference.

vacillate: Alternate or waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive

contrite: Sincerely penitent or feeling regret or sorrow, especially for one’s own actions; apologetic.

contentious: Causing or likely to cause an argument; controversial

truculence: defiantly aggressive;

contention: An assertion, esp. one maintained in argument

tractable: Easy to deal with (of a situation or problem)

connoisseur: A specialist of a given field whose opinion is valued; especially in one of the fine arts, or in a matter of taste

tenuous: Thin in substance or consistency.

complaisant: Willing to do what pleases others.

compendium: A collection of concise but detailed information about a particular subject, esp. in a book or other publication

commensurate: proportionate; of a similar measurable standard

supersede: Take the place of (a person or thing previously in authority or use); supplant

cogent: Clear, logical, and convincing (of an argument or case)

substantiate: to verify something by supplying evidence; to corroborate or authenticate

coda: The concluding passage of a piece or movement, typically forming an addition to the basic structure

coagulate: Change to a solid or semisolid state (of a fluid, esp. blood)

chicanery: Deception by use of trickery, quibbling, or subterfuge.

caustic: Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way

strut: A stiff, erect, and apparently arrogant or conceited gait

catalyst: A substance which increases the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed in the process.

striated: Having parallel lines or grooves on the surface.

castigation: Corrective punishment; chastisement; reproof; pungent criticism.

stolid: Having or revealing little emotion or sensibility.

capricious: Impulsive and unpredictable; determined by chance, impulse, or whim

stipulate: To require (something) as a condition of a contract or agreement.

buttress: A brick or stone structure built against another structure to support it.

burnish: To make smooth or shiny by rubbing; to polish; to shine.

burgeon: Begin to grow or increase rapidly; flourish

boorish: rough in manners; rude; uncultured.

bombastic: Pompous or overly wordy.

specious: Superficially plausible, but actually wrong

soporific: Something inducing sleep, especially a drug

beneficent: Given to acts that are kind, charitable, philanthropic or beneficial.

solicitous: Characterized by or showing interest or concern

belie: To give a false representation of something.

banal: Common in a boring way, to the point of being predictable; containing nothing new or fresh.

aver: State or assert to be the case

austere: Grim or severe in manner or appearance

assuage: To lessen the intensity of, to mitigate or relieve (hunger, emotion, pain etc.).

salubrious: Promoting health or well-being; wholesome. Especially related to air.

assiduous: Hard-working, diligent or regular (in attendance or work); industrious.

ascetic: One who is devoted to the practice of self-denial, either through seclusion or stringent abstinence.

artless: Having or displaying no guile, cunning, or deceit.

approbation: Approval or praise

rescind: To repeal, annul, or declare void.

apprise: To notify, or to make aware; to inform.

repudiate: To reject the truth or validity of something; to deny.

reprobate: Rejected; cast off as worthless.

reproach: A mild rebuke, or an implied criticism.

antipathy: A deep-seated feeling of dislike; aversion

relegate: To send into exile; banish.

anomalous: deviating from the normal; aberrant or abnormal

recondite: Hidden from the mental or intellectual view; secret; abstruse.

refractory: Obstinate and unruly; strongly opposed to something.

anachronism: A thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, esp. a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned

ameliorate: To make better, to improve; to heal; to solve a problem.

recant: To withdraw or repudiate (statement or opinion formerly expressed), especially formally and publicly.

ambivalence: The coexistence of opposing attitudes or feelings (such as love and hate) towards a person, object or idea.

recalcitrant: marked by a stubborn unwillingness to obey figures of authority

rarefied: Esoterically distant from the lives and concerns of ordinary people

amalgamate: To merge, to combine, to blend, to join.

quiescent: Inactive, at rest, quiet.

quibble: A trivial or minor complaint, objection or argument.

alacrity: eagerness; liveliness; enthusiasm

proscribe: To forbid or prohibit.

propriety: The state or quality of conforming to conventionally accepted standards of behavior or morals

admonish: Warn or reprimand someone firmly

propitiate: Win or regain the favor of (a god, spirit, or person) by doing something that pleases them

abscond: Leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft

abeyance: A state of temporary disuse or suspension

aberrant: Differing from the norm, from the expected type; abnormal, anomalous.

prodigal: wastefully extravagant.

probity: The quality of having strong moral principles; honesty and decency

prevaricate: Speak or act in an evasive way

precipitate: To make something happen suddenly and quickly; hasten.

preamble: A short preliminary statement or remark, especially an explanatory introduction to a formal document or statute.

porous: Full of tiny pores that allow fluids or gasses to pass through.

platitude: An often-quoted saying that is supposed to be meaningful but has become unoriginal or hackneyed through overuse; a cliché.

plasticity: The quality of being easily shaped or molded

phlegmatic: Having an unemotional and stolidly calm disposition (of a person)

pervasive: Manifested throughout;

permeable: A substance, substrate, membrane or material that absorbs or allows the passage of water.

perfunctory: Performed out of routine and with little care.

perfidious: Deceitful and untrustworthy

perennial: Lasting or remaining active throughout the year, or all the time.

penury: extreme want; poverty; destitution.

pedantic: marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning especially its trivial aspects

paucity: The presence of something only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts; scarcity

pathological: Compulsive; obsessive

partisan: An adherent to a party or faction.

paragon: A person of preeminent qualities, who acts as a pattern or model of some given (especially positive) quality. [from 16th c.]

ostentatious: Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice

oscillate: To swing back and forth, especially if with a regular rhythm.

opprobrium: Harsh criticism or censure

onerous: burdensome; difficult; wearing; tiring

officious: Assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, esp. with regard to petty or trivial matters

occlude: To obstruct, cover, or otherwise block an opening.

obviate: Remove (a need or difficulty)

obsequious: Obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree

obdurate: Stubbornly persistent, generally in wrongdoing; refusing to reform or repent.

neophyte: A beginner.

mollify: To ease a burden; make less painful; to comfort

misanthrope: A person who dislikes humankind and avoids human society

mendacious: lying, untruthful or dishonest

maverick: Showing independence in thoughts or actions.

magnanimity: Showing generosity

malleable: (literally) able to be hammered into thin sheets; easily influenced

malingerer: someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity

levee: The steep bank of a river, or border of an irrigated field.

laud: Praise or glorification.

lassitude: Lethargy or lack of energy; fatigue.

laconic: Using as few words as possible; pithy and concise.

invective: Insulting, abusive, or highly critical language

inundate: To cover with large amounts of water; to flood.

intransigence: Unwillingness to change one's views or to agree.

insipid: Lacking vigor or interest

intractable: Hard to control or deal with

insularity: Ignorance of or lack of interest in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one's own experience

inherent: A natural part or consequence of something.

innocuous: Not harmful or offensive

ingenuous: naïve and trusting

indigence: extreme poverty or destitution

inchoate: Recently started but not fully formed yet; just begun; only elementary or immature.

implacable: Relentless; unstoppable

imperturbable: Unable to be upset or excited; calm

impermeable: Not liable to be affected by pain or distress; insusceptible or imperturbable

immutable: Unable to be changed without exception

iconoclastic: characterized by attack on established beliefs or institutions

guileless: honest but naïve.

grandiloquent: Pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, esp. in a way that is intended to impress

goad: A thing that stimulates someone into action

garrulous: Excessively talkative, esp. on trivial matters

gainsay: Deny or contradict (a fact or statement)

foment: Instigate or stir up (an undesirable or violent sentiment or course of action)

felicitous: Well chosen or suited to the circumstances

fatuous: Obnoxiously stupid, vacantly silly, content in one's foolishness.

extrapolation: A calculation of an estimate of the value of some function outside the range of known values.

exigency: An urgent need or demand

ephemeral: Lasting for a short period of time.

erudite: Having or showing great knowledge or learning

equivocate: Use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself

equanimity: Mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, esp. in a difficult situation

engender: Cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition)

enervate: Cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken

endemic: Native to a particular area or culture; originating where it occurs.

embellish: To make more beautiful and attractive; to decorate.

elegy: A mournful or plaintive poem; a funeral song; a poem of lamentation.

effrontery: Insolent or impertinent behavior

efficacy: Ability to produce a desired amount of a desired effect.

eclectic: Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources

ebullient: boiling, agitated, enthusiastic

dogmatic: Stubbornly adhering to insufficiently proven beliefs; inflexible, rigid.

distend: To extend or expand, as from internal pressure; to swell

dissemble: Conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs

disparate: Things so unlike that there is no basis for comparison

dissolution: The termination of an organized body or legislative assembly, especially a formal dismissal.

autonomous: independent

tariff: a tax on goods coming into a country or going out of a country

interim: temporary. Eg: These are the interim measures to deal with emergency. This is an [word] report, we still have to make a fair one.

tizzy: A state of nervous excitement or confusion; a dither; distressed, upset. Eg: Dev anand's death left his fans in the state of [word].

visage: Countenance; appearance; one's face.

personality cult: an image earned generally by dictators thru good work and without flattery. Eg: Barack Obama established a subtle cult of personality displaying his face in red and blue with the word "Hope" typed below his portrait.

veracity: Truthfulness. Eg: shocked to hear that his [word] is being questioned.

antithetical: Opposite to each other. Eg: two [word] theories.

tumult: With great noise or confusion. Synonyms: hubbub,clamor,noise.

camaraderie: close friendship in a group of friends or teammates; as in: "I missed the [noun] of my hostel life."

nascent: Emerging; just coming into existence.

eschew: To avoid; to shun.

blandishment: Flattering speech or actions designed to persuade or influence.

kismet: Fate; a predetermined or unavoidable destiny.

pugnacious: Naturally aggressive or hostile; combative; belligerent.

cynic: A person whose outlook is scornfully negative.

puckish: mischievous; excessively playful

panache: Flamboyant, energetic style or action; dash; verve; as in: "The model must have [noun] to sustain in the modelling industry."

abstemious: Sparing in diet; refraining from a free use of food and strong drinks; temperate; abstinent; sparing in the indulgence of the appetite or passions.

canorous: melodious,resonant

irascible: short-tempered.

halcyon: calm, undisturbed, peaceful, serene, tranquil. Usage : The next day dawned sunny with a [word] blue sky.

rubicund: Possessing a red complexion. Ruddy.

pusillanimous: Showing ignoble cowardice, or contemptible timidity

penance: A voluntary self-imposed punishment for a sinful act or wrongdoing. It may be intended to serve as reparation for the act.

indolent: Habitually lazy, procrastinating, or resistant to physical labor/labour.

disenfranchise: to deprive someone of a franchise, generally their right to vote

pejorative: A disparaging, belittling, or derogatory word or expression. Eg: I never expected [word] remarks for my performance in the play.

callow: Bald.

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