Freshman 100 Vocabulary

cynical (adj.)

bitter; disillusioned; believing the worst. Example: "Americans tend to be very cynical about politicians-assuming that they are looking out for their own interests rather than trying to help others."

deplore (v.)

to disapprove of. Deplore is a strong word. You wouldn't deplore having eggs instead of waffles for breakfast. You need to be passionate to deplore something. Example: "If you deplore injustice, then fight to end it!"

cynical (adj.)

bitter; disillusioned; believing the worst. Example: "Americans tend to be very cynical about politicians-assuming that they are looking out for their own interests rather than trying to help others."

deplore (v.)

to disapprove of. Deplore is a strong word. You wouldn't deplore having eggs instead of waffles for breakfast. You need to be passionate to deplore something. Example: "If you deplore injustice, then fight to end it!"

disconcerted (adj.)

confused; ruffled; having one's equilibrium thrown off. Example: "We were disconcerted when the subway car came to a screeching halt halfway into the station. What was going on?"

elude (v.)

to be unable to be caught, grasped, or understood; to evade. Elude can be used physically or mentally. Examples: "The hijackers eluded arrest and disappeared in the Brazilian jungle." "Your explanation of DNA just eludes me; I don't get it!"

scruple(s) (n.)

hesitation or qualm based on morals. Example: "Ellary had no scruples about cheating off her friends' homework. She only would care if she got caught."

culminate (v.)

to reach a final stage or end point; to climax. Examples: "The history class culminated in a large research project." "The baseball season culminates in the World Series." "The suspense movie culminated in a huge car chase all over Boston."

glower (v.)

to stare angrily or glare. Example: "Natasha glowered at her annoying and bratty little sister. Why did she always win their arguments?"

heed (v.)

to pay attention to; to listen to; to follow advice or warning. Example: "Heed my words; if you don't stop smoking, you will develop serious health problems."

taciturn (adj.)

quiet; untalkative. Example: "One cultural stereotype is that New Englanders are much more taciturn than their chatty Midwestern neighbors."

trifle (v. or n.)

to treat something as if it has little worth or value. Example: "Never trifle with someone's feelings-it isn't kind."

dogged (adj.)

determined; unwilling to give up; persistent. Example: "Despite the thunder, lightning, and pouring rain, the hikers doggedly continued up the mountain."

foreboding (n. or adj.)

a sense that something bad is going to happen; ominous. Example: "The scary music filled the audience with foreboding; they just knew the slasher was about to jump out of the closet."

prudent (adj.)

cautious; exercising good judgment about practical things. Example: "If you're taking a hike, it's prudent to bring extra food, water, and a rain jacket. You never know what will happen."

recoil (v.)

to shrink back in fear or disgust. Example: "Lizzie recoiled when she accidentally stepped on a rat."

squander (v.)

to waste. Squander is a strong word. You don't squander fifty cents; instead, you squander a fortune. Example: "Compulsive gamblers squander both time and money at casinos."

appease (v.)

to calm, to bring peace or quiet; to satisfy or relieve. Appease can be used physically, mentally, or emotionally. Examples: "Nothing could appease his thirst after the long hike through the desert." "Nothing could appease the pain of losing his beloved pet dog."

audacity (n.)

fearless daring.

dissemble (v.)

to conceal one's true motives, feelings, or beliefs.

pandemonium (n.)

wild and noisy disorder or confusion; uproar.

uncanny (adj.)

strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way.

Appease

Can be used physically, mentally, or emotionally. Examples: 'Nothing could appease his thirst after the long hike through the desert.' 'Nothing could appease the pain of losing his beloved pet dog.'

Audacity

Fearless daring. Example: 'Steve had the audacity to steal the woman's purse right off the desk when she turned her back to him.'

Dissemble

To pretend, fake, or put on a false show. Example: 'The criminal dissembled his innocence, claiming to have been nowhere near the scene of the crime.'

Pandemonium

Uproar; chaos. Example: 'When the Sox won the World Series in 2004, there was complete pandemonium at Fenway Park.'

Uncanny

Strange; eerie; almost supernatural. Example: 'It was uncanny-Jim was thinking about his old buddy Fred whom he hadn't talked with in years, when the phone rang, and it was Fred!'

Candor

Truthfulness. Example: 'If you are a witness in a trial, you are expected to testify with total candor.'

Dumbfounded

Astonished; shocked; surprised. People who are dumbfounded often have their mouths hanging open in surprise. Example: 'Sally was dumbfounded to learn she had won the $100,000,000 lottery.'

Haphazard

Random; without any particular order or pattern. Example: 'We got lost in New York City and walked haphazardly from one street to another before we could find someone to ask directions from.'

Opportune

Appropriate; well-timed. Example: 'This is not an opportune moment to tell your girlfriend you're splitting up. Wait until the two of you are alone together.'

Rash

Acting without considering the consequences; done without careful thought; imprudent. Example: 'Steven rashly drank all his water on the first mile of the hike and now would suffer the consequences for the next eight hours.'

Impervious

Resistant; being able to withstand something. Examples: 'My Dad was impervious to change-he never learned how to use a computer.' 'Peter is impervious to his friends' teasing; they never bother him.' 'Some people are impervious to cold and can go out in any weather.'

Lull

To soothe or calm. Examples: 'Eileen rocked her baby girl, sang a little lullaby, and finally lulled her to sleep.' 'The sound of the ocean surf going back and forth lulled me out of my bad mood and settled me down.'

Rancor

Bitter, long-lasting hatred or resentment. Example: 'Historically, the American south has felt a lot of rancor towards the north-particularly right after the Civil War.'

Respite

A break or pause. Example: 'Sitting in the shade with an ice-cold lemonade was a brief respite from the back-breaking farm work.'

Strident

Loud; grating; harsh. Strident can be used both physically and mentally. Examples: 'The voices at the party got louder and more strident as the evening wore on.' 'It seems that the arguments between Democrats and Republicans grow more strident; no one is willing to listen to the other side.'

Benign

Mild, harmless, kind. Benign can be used to describe weather, people, even medical conditions.

elated

joyful; over-the-moon happy. It is a strong word. Example: "Seth was elated on his wedding day."

falter

to hesitate, stumble, or waver. We can falter physically or emotionally. Examples: "The fearful diver faltered at the end of the platform. He didn't want to take the plunge." OR "Eleni faltered and almost started to cry when she got to the emotional part of her speech."

jocular

friendly and good-humored. Example: "My Uncle Sam was jocular in company-always telling funny jokes and keeping the party happy."

coerce

to manipulate, threaten, or pressure unfairly. If someone coerces you, you obey out of fear. For example, someone might coerce money out of you by threatening to harm your family if you don't do it.

contempt

extreme lack of respect; looking down on something as totally worthless or disgusting. Contempt is a very strong emotion. Example: "I feel nothing but contempt for people who torture animals. No innocent creature should be made to suffer."

contemptuous

arrogant; scornful; feeling contemptuous of others. Example: "The king looked down haughtily at the man begging for his life 'You fool! You think you can persuade me not to have your head chopped off? Ha!'"

inept

unskilled; clumsy; incompetent. Example: "Jane's baking attempts were completely inept-the cookies came out salty and tough."

insinuate

to hint at something with a negative goal. Examples: "The newspaper insinuated that the politician had been doing illegal business with an offshore bank." "How dare you insinuate that I cheated on this test!"

ambiguous

unclear; having more than one possible meaning; doubtful or uncertain. Example: "The film's ending was ambiguous; were Sam and Penny going to live happily ever after or weren't they?"

auspicious

promising a good future or outcome. Example: "Getting 100% on her first test was an auspicious start to the school year."

deferential

courteous; letting other people make decisions or have their own way. We are often deferential to those who are in need or who have a higher position of authority. Examples: "Jim deferentially gave up his seat on the train to the man with crutches." "Susanna was deferential to her boss in the meeting, letting him decide who to hire for the position."

ludicrous

ridiculous; laughably absurd. Example: "Your idea to fly a hot air balloon is completely ludicrous."

pretense

a false show or exterior. Example: "Sabina acted friendly at the party, but it was all pretense. She thought this group of people were a bunch of idiots."

anguish

Extreme or severe pain or suffering-usually mental or emotional. Example: The entire country felt anguished when President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.

cower

to shrink back in fear. Example: "Jamie cowered behind a tree when he saw the grizzly bear."

forlorn

sad, pitiful, or pathetic because of being abandoned or alone. Example: "The kittens' mother had been hit by a car, and they meowed forlornly, awaiting her return."

incredulity

disbelief. Example: "Doug's claims that he had seen a Martian space ship were met with incredulity."

rapt

fascinated; completely absorbed. Example: "The kindergarteners listened to the storyteller with rapt attention."

facetious (adj.)

tongue-in-cheek; being funny often with a bit of an edge. Example: "Marlena facetiously exclaimed, 'You're a regular Albert Einstein!' when her brother failed his physics final."

lurk (v.)

to hide or lie in wait. Example: "Sandy called the police; she was sure she saw someone lurking in the bushes outside her front door."

mortified (adj.)

embarrassed; humiliated. Mortified is a strong word. Example: "Laura was mortified to realize she had given an entire speech to a crowded auditorium with her fly open."

rebuff (v.)

to reject or snub; to give the cold shoulder to. Example: "No matter how charming or friendly Matt acted, Stephanie rebuffed his attempts to ask her out on a date."

shrewd (adj.)

smart or clever in a practical way. Knowing how to look after one's own interests; street-smart. Example: "When Malcolm saw the stock-market was tanking, he shrewdly sold off his investments and saved himself a lot of money."

cryptic (adj.)

ambiguous; difficult to decipher or understand. Being cryptic is often a deliberate choice. Parents might be cryptic with young children when talking about a subject that is upsetting, like death. But it's not always deliberate. Example: "I didn't understand your essay because your ideas were so cryptic."

impassive (adj.)

showing no outward emotion or expression. Example: "A judge must look impassive during a trial in order not to prejudice the jury."

robust (adj.)

healthy and strong; full of energy and life; hearty. Example: "Athletes who compete at the triathlon are robust and strong."

sullen (adj.)

sulky; quietly resentful. Example: "After getting grounded for a month, the boy sat sullenly on the couch, refusing to talk or interact."

vivacious (adj.)

lively; spirited; vibrant. Example: "Everyone loved Sally at a party; she was so vivacious, she could bring a crowd to life."

harried (adj.)

overwhelmed; stressed; harassed. Example: "All day Stephanie was harried with a million annoying commitments and tasks. It was too much!"

ravage (v.)

to destroy completely or utterly. Example: "The flu epidemic ravaged the village. There were only three survivors."

resolute (adj.)

determined; unshakeable. Example: "The team resolutely committed to making it to play-offs. Nothing would stop them!"

steadfast (adj.)

resolute; unshakeable; determined. Example: "The soldiers were steadfast in defending each other from the enemy."

tremulous (adj.)

trembling; shaking, unsteady. Example: "The pianist's fingers quivered tremulously at the keyboard; this was the make or break moment in the competition!"

quizzical (adj.)

confused; puzzled. Example: "The teacher looked quizzically around the classroom. Why was it so different? Oh! Someone had stolen the overhead projector."

remiss (adj.)

negligent; not doing one's duty. Example: "It was remiss of you not to study for the test. I'm not surprised you failed it."

tactful (adj.)

considerate.

anarchy

disorder or confusion; lawlessness. It is a strong word. Example: After Hurricane Katrina destroyed New Orleans, there was total anarchy-no police, no electricity, widespread hunger, and chaos.

dearth

lack of; scarcity. Example: "The field hospital suffered from a dearth of medical supplies, so the doctors were unable to treat the wounded soldiers."

decrepit

broken-down through hard use; in bad physical condition. Things can be decrepit, and people can be, as well. Examples: "The decrepit cabin was sinking into the ground." "The decrepit old man hobbled along the sidewalk."

decrepitude

the state of being decrepit.

inherent

having a natural or innate quality; an essential part of something. This word is usually used for intangibles. You would not say, "A steering wheel is inherent to a car," but you would say, "It is inherent for humans to crave love," or "Dogs are inherently social creatures."

inherently

in a way that is a natural or essential part of something.

scrutiny

close or careful study or observation. Example: "Any good physician will scrutinize her patient's symptoms in order to make an accurate diagnosis."

scrutinize

to examine closely.

brazen

shamelessly bold. "Brazen" has a negative connotation; you would not admire a brazen act. Example: "The kidnappers brazenly stole the child right out of her stroller."

brazenly

in a shamelessly bold manner.

goad

to taunt or push; to provoke. Example: "Even though she didn't want to shoplift, Sarah's friends goaded her into doing it."

goaded

provoked or annoyed someone so as to stimulate some action or reaction.

goading

the act of provoking or annoying someone.

illustrious

famous (in a way that is admirable or respected). Example: "Jonas Salk is the illustrious scientist who discovered a cure for polio."

illustriously

in a way that is famous or respected.

illustriousness

the quality of being illustrious.

imperious

arrogant; feeling superior to and looking down on others. Example: "Eric, stop being so imperious and bossing us around-this is a group project."

imperiously

in an arrogant manner.

imperiousness

the quality of being imperious.

sate

to fully satisfy any kind of appetite (physical or mental). Example: "We were starving, but that Thanksgiving dinner finally sated us." "The mad dictator's hunger for power could not be sated."

sated

fully satisfied.

adversity

hardship; difficulty, challenge. Adversity is a general word and can refer to all sorts of difficulties: poverty, illness, war, personal problems, etc. We say that one's character is tested by adversity.

adverse

preventing success or development; harmful or unfavorable.

furtive

often secretive; sly. Examples: "Simon furtively snuck out the back door to avoid being caught by his parents." "The couple exchanged furtive love notes in class."

furtiveness

the quality of being furtive.

furtively

in a secretive manner.

implacable

unable to be calmed down or restrained. Implacable is used to describe anger, hostility, or aggression. Example: "Jim's rage was implacable; he trashed the whole room in five minutes."

implacably

in a way that cannot be appeased or pacified.