Common VII

veracity

truthfulness and accuracy

• Due to the high degree of truthfulness, the detective found it easy to find the criminal, because the witness gave _____ to the court.

volatile

liable to change rapidly and unpredictably

• The ____ nature of the market made investors nervous, as they worried about the possibility of sudden and unpredictable changes. It caused them to re-evaluate their investments.

tacit

understood without being spoken

• Because she was ____ about her feelings, we never knew what she thought. We can’t guess what she feels, as she keeps her thoughts secret.

clamor

a loud and continuous noise

• The loud _____ of the crowd was almost unbearable, as everyone was screaming and shouting, hoping to get the attention of the performers who were on the stage.

tenuous

very weak or slight

• The fragile bridge, its structure _____, swayed precariously in the wind, and the hikers worried about the integrity of its supports, as they were uncertain whether it would hold.

adulterate

to make something impure by adding inferior substances

• The chef was careful to _____ the recipe with a pinch of salt, as he knew the customers would taste a big difference in the flavor of the soup.

onerous

burdensome; difficult to bear

• The task proved ______, requiring a lot of effort. Despite the difficulty, completing it successfully brought immense satisfaction. I found the project's demands challenging, but the reward made the hard work worthwhile.

bombastic

high‑sounding but with little meaning; inflated

• The _____ speaker used exaggerated language, making grand pronouncements that seemed designed more to impress the audience than to communicate actual information or substance.

opprobrium

harsh criticism or public disgrace

• Due to the scandal, the politician faced intense public _____, with harsh criticism and condemnation filling the media, as citizens expressed their outrage and disappointment over the ethical breach.

zealous

showing great energy or enthusiasm

• The _____ student was excited to learn about new topics, but the teacher knew they needed to slow down and understand each subject before moving ahead.

verbose

using more words than necessary

• The lengthy speech of the ____ man at the town hall meeting, filled with unnecessary details and complex terminology, made it difficult for the audience to understand his main points, and many people were left feeling confused.

approbation

official approval or praise

• I was hoping for some kind of _____ after finishing the project, but it appears my boss doesn't care. He is always busy with other tasks.

implicit

implied though not directly stated

• The subtle clues in her expression gave an ____ understanding of the situation, and everyone knew without needing an explanation or words, that something was not right, it was obvious to all.

compliant

willing to obey rules or requests

• The store's new policy made many customers _____, but some still found ways to bend the rules.

overt

not secret or hidden

• The disagreement between the neighbors grew from quiet, angry looks to ____ hatred as they began throwing eggs at each other's houses.

acumen

keen insight and quick judgment

• Her business _____ was evident when she turned a small, struggling company into a profitable enterprise within just two years, demonstrating a keen understanding of the market and strategic decision-making.

gullible

easily deceived

• Although he was very _____, the old man was always happy to help his neighbors. His kindness made up for the fact that he was easily tricked by others.

dissent

to disagree with authority

• Amidst the heated debate, a wave of _____ surged, with many people openly disagreeing with the proposed changes, their voices echoing with disapproval and a determination to protect their beliefs.

propriety

conformity to accepted standards; correctness

• She always behaved with _____, never gossiping or causing any trouble, because she knew that her reputation was important for her career, and she wanted to be seen as professional.

epitome

a perfect example of a quality or type

• The movie was an _____ of the director's vision, showcasing his unique style and storytelling techniques through stunning visuals and a captivating narrative that enthralled audiences.

divest

to strip or rid of property or rights

• I will _____ my shares of the company because the business has had a rough year. Their profits went down, and I don't want to risk any more money on it.

circumspect

careful to consider all circumstances; cautious

• The detective, a _____ individual, approached the crime scene cautiously, carefully examining every detail. His goal was to solve the case, understanding all clues.

abate

to become less intense or widespread

• The rain began to ____ as the storm moved eastward, allowing the sun to peek through the clouds and illuminate the colorful flowers in the garden, bringing joy.

efficacy

the ability to produce the desired effect

• The drug's _____ in treating the illness was remarkable. Doctors observed the significant positive impact of the medication on patients, noting a swift reduction in the severity of symptoms and a general improvement in their condition.

loquacious

very talkative

• The student, usually _____, was unusually quiet during the exam. Perhaps the difficult questions and the pressure to perform well had caused them to lose their words.

aver

to state or assert confidently

• As he began to _____ his point, the speaker realized that some audience members were losing interest. It became apparent that he needed to explain the situation, and the crowd began to listen.

guile

craftiness

• Little Timmy was full of _____, often telling his mommy someone was at the door--then, when her back was turned, he would raid the chocolate stash.

chicanery

use of trickery to achieve a purpose

• Due to the politician's _____, the public lost faith in the government. The lies and deception led many citizens to doubt the intentions and honesty of their leaders.

desiccate

to dry out completely

• The farmer hoped the sun would dry the plants, but the weather was very humid. Sadly, the crops started to _____, so he quickly needed to find a solution to save his harvest.

wary

cautious, not trusting

• Years of being stuck in the loud and crowded shelter made the dog _____ of other animals.

lavish

more than is needed; very fancy

• Fido's birthday feast was _____; most guests thought that a dog would not be able to appreciate the bits of gold in his steak-flavored ice cream.

inconsequential

not important or significant

• The movie's plot was ______ to the overall themes, as the director focused on the visuals and atmosphere rather than a deep, meaningful story, and the audience was left confused.

tangential

only slightly related to the main point

• The professor's _____ remarks about the history of the printing press were interesting, but they did not directly relate to the main topic of our discussion on modern technology.

eulogy

a speech praising someone who has died

• The touching _____, filled with heartfelt memories and anecdotes, painted a vivid picture of the person's life, celebrating their kindness and the impact they had on others, leaving everyone deeply moved.

nascent

just coming into existence; beginning to develop

• Because of the _____ technology, the company needed more time to fully develop its product to meet the demands of its consumers.

plethora

large or excessive amount

• With a _____ of options, the couple felt overwhelmed. They debated between a beach vacation, a mountain getaway, or a city adventure. Ultimately, they wanted something relaxing.

fervid

intensely passionate

• The ardent speeches from the politician were always filled with ______ language, captivating the audience with passionate calls to action, even though some felt the promises were exaggerated.

indeterminate

not exactly known, decided, or fixed

• The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the ancient artifact yielded a surprising result: the evidence remained _____, leaving the investigators puzzled and uncertain about the truth.

connoisseur

an expert judge in matters of taste

• The restaurant critic, a true ______, savored the exquisite flavors of the dish. His discerning palate detected a hint of truffle, a whisper of citrus, and the perfect balance.

deterrent

something that discourages action

• The police presence served as a ______, making potential criminals reconsider their actions. They knew the risks of getting caught were high with officers nearby, discouraging any illegal behavior.

homogeneous

of the same or similar kind

• The scientific study was _____, with all participants sharing similar backgrounds, which unfortunately limited the diversity of perspectives and viewpoints within the research findings.

paradox

a situation that seems impossible because it is made of opposite things

• When he first arrived in the desert, Alex did not believe the _____ that drinking hot tea could make a person feel cool.

intractable

hard to manage or solve

• The complex problem proved _____ for the team; they struggled to find a solution. Despite their efforts, the issue persisted, and other attempts failed.

explicit

stated clearly and in detail

• The instructions are ______; I need to be direct and clear. I want to finish the work and get some ice cream. After this, I can watch a movie and relax before I go to bed tonight.

partisan

strongly supporting one side

• The biased group's actions were viewed as _____, favoring their own members over others. This led to intense disagreements, as some felt the decisions were unfair to those who didn't belong.

eloquent

fluent and persuasive

• The lawyer's _____ speech captivated the courtroom, as he skillfully presented his case, using persuasive language and clear arguments that resonated with the jury, leaving them thoroughly impressed.

facilitate

to make easier

• Classical music, unlike many types of music, will generally _____ learning and improve memory.

articulate

able to express ideas clearly and effectively

• He found it difficult to _____ his thoughts during the meeting because he was nervous, but he knew the importance of communicating effectively with his colleagues.

alleviate

to ease or lessen pain or trouble

• To _____ the pain in her leg, she took a pill. The medicine, which was supposed to help, didn't work very well. Now, she thinks that she may need to see a doctor.

covert

secret or hidden

• The attack was intended to be _____, but before it could begin, the entire plan was revealed to the target.