(1) Powerscore Vocabulary (Easy - Medium)

anthropology [ˌænθrəˈpɒlədʒi]

the study of humankind, especially of its origins, customs, beliefs, and social organization. She studied anthropology to learn about different cultures. SYNONYM ethnography, cultural studies

arrogant [ˈærəɡənt]

having or displaying an exaggerated sense of one's own importance or abilities. His arrogant attitude alienated his coworkers. SYNONYM haughty, conceited, pompous ANTONYM humble, modest, unassuming

articulate [ɑːˈtɪkjələt]

having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently. She was an articulate speaker, able to express her ideas clearly. SYNONYM eloquent, fluent, expressive ANTONYM inarticulate, speechless, tongue-tied

astute [əˈstuːt]

having or showing shrewdness and discernment. The astute investor made a fortune in the stock market. SYNONYM sharp, clever, intelligent ANTONYM foolish, stupid, unwise

augment [ɔːɡˈment]

make (something) greater by adding to it; increase. The company sought to augment its profits by expanding into new markets. SYNONYM increase, enlarge, expand ANTONYM decrease, diminish, reduce

benevolent [bəˈnɛvələnt]

kind, generous, charitable. The benevolent philanthropist donated millions to charity. SYNONYM kind-hearted, compassionate, altruistic ANTONYM malevolent, cruel, unkind

bolster [ˈboʊlstər]

support or strengthen; prop up. The government implemented policies to bolster the economy. SYNONYM strengthen, support, reinforce ANTONYM weaken, undermine, sabotage

camaraderie [kæmˈɑːrədəri]

mutual trust and friendship among people who spend a lot of time together. The team members developed strong camaraderie through their shared experiences. SYNONYM friendship, companionship, solidarity ANTONYM enmity, hostility, animosity

candid [ˈkændɪd]

truthful and straightforward; frank. She gave a candid assessment of her performance. SYNONYM honest, frank, sincere ANTONYM dishonest, deceitful, insincere

complacent [kəmˈpleɪsnt]

pleased, especially with oneself or one's merits, accomplishments. His complacent attitude prevented him from striving for improvement. SYNONYM smug, self-satisfied, conceited ANTONYM ambitious, eager, motivated

constrain [kənˈstreɪn]

compel or force (someone) toward a particular course of action. The law constrained businesses from polluting the environment. SYNONYM compel, force, oblige ANTONYM permit, allow, free

conventional [kənˈvɛnʃənəl]

based on or in accordance with what is generally accepted or done. He preferred conventional medicine to alternative therapies. SYNONYM traditional, orthodox, standard ANTONYM unconventional, unorthodox, nonconformist

decry [dɪˈkraɪ]

publicly denounce. The activist decried the government's policies. SYNONYM condemn, criticize, denounce ANTONYM praise, commend, applaud

denounce [dɪˈnaʊns]

publicly declare to be wrong or evil. The protesters denounced the war. SYNONYM condemn, criticize, censure ANTONYM praise, commend, applaud

deride [dɪˈraɪd]

ridicule or mock (someone or something). The bullies derided the new student. SYNONYM ridicule, mock, scorn ANTONYM praise, commend, applaud

digress [daɪˈɡrɛs]

leave the main subject temporarily in speech or writing. The speaker digressed from the main topic to tell a personal story. SYNONYM deviate, wander, stray ANTONYM focus, concentrate, stick to

dogmatic [dɒɡˈmætɪk]

inclined to lay down principles as incontrovertibly true. The dogmatic leader refused to consider any alternative viewpoints. SYNONYM opinionated, inflexible, rigid ANTONYM open-minded, flexible, tolerant

elicit [ɪˈlɪsɪt]

evoke or draw out (a reaction, answer, or fact) from someone. The detective tried to elicit a confession from the suspect. SYNONYM evoke, draw out, extract ANTONYM suppress, conceal, hide

endure [ɪnˈdʊər]

suffer (something painful or difficult) patiently. She endured the pain of the injury without complaint. SYNONYM tolerate, withstand, bear ANTONYM give up, surrender, succumb

epitome [ɪˈpɪtəmi]

a perfect example of a particular quality or type. She was the epitome of elegance and grace. SYNONYM embodiment, quintessence, paradigm

equivocal [ɪˈkwɪvəkl]

open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous. His equivocal answer left us confused. SYNONYM ambiguous, unclear, vague ANTONYM clear, definite, explicit

explicit [ɪkˈsplɪsɪt]

stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for doubt. The instructions were explicit and easy to follow. SYNONYM clear, definite, precise ANTONYM implicit, implied, vague

futile [ˈfjuːtaɪl]

pointless; having no effect or result. It was futile to argue with him. SYNONYM pointless, useless, ineffective ANTONYM effective, productive, worthwhile

hostile [ˈhɒstaɪl]

unfriendly and aggressive. The hostile crowd booed the politician. SYNONYM unfriendly, aggressive, antagonistic ANTONYM friendly, amicable, cordial

idiosyncrasy [ɪdɪəˈsɪŋkrəsi]

a peculiar or characteristic habit, mannerism, or quirk. His idiosyncrasies made him stand out from the crowd. SYNONYM peculiarity, eccentricity, quirk

improvise [ˈɪmprəvaɪz]

create or perform something without preparation. The jazz musician improvised a solo. SYNONYM ad-lib, extemporize, wing it

indifferent [ɪnˈdɪfərənt]

having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned. She was indifferent to his pleas. SYNONYM unconcerned, apathetic, uninterested ANTONYM concerned, interested, enthusiastic

induce [ɪnˈdjuːs]

persuade (someone) to do something; bring about or cause (something). The advertisement induced me to buy the product. SYNONYM persuade, convince, tempt ANTONYM discourage, dissuade, deter

irrelevant [ɪˈrɛləvənt]

not relevant to the matter at hand. His comments were irrelevant to the discussion. SYNONYM unrelated, impertinent, beside the point ANTONYM relevant, pertinent, applicable

liberate [ˈlɪbəreɪt]

set free from imprisonment, slavery, or oppression. The rebels liberated the city from the tyrant's rule. SYNONYM free, release, emancipate ANTONYM imprison, enslave, oppress

objective [əbˈdʒɛktɪv]

not influenced by personal feelings or opinions; impartial. The judge must remain objective in her decision-making. SYNONYM impartial, unbiased, neutral ANTONYM subjective, biased, partial

oppress [əˈprɛs]

keep (someone) in subjection or servitude. The dictator oppressed the people. SYNONYM suppress, subdue, dominate ANTONYM liberate, free, emancipate

parenthetical [ˌpærənˈθɛtɪkəl]

consisting of a parenthesis or parentheses. The parenthetical remark added extra information. SYNONYM additional, supplementary, incidental

pretense [prɪˈtɛns]

an attempt to make something that is not the case appear true. Her pretense of innocence was unconvincing. SYNONYM deception, falsehood, sham

provincial [prəˈvɪnʃəl]

of or concerning a province of a country, especially as contrasted with the capital city. She had a provincial outlook on life. SYNONYM narrow-minded, parochial, small-town

quell [kwɛl]

suppress (a rebellion or other disturbance). The police quelled the riot. SYNONYM suppress, subdue, crush ANTONYM incite, provoke, stir up

query [ˈkwɪəri]

a question, especially one addressed to an official or organization. She sent a query to the customer service department. SYNONYM question, inquiry, interrogation

reconcile [ˈrɛkənsaɪl]

restore friendly relations with someone after a quarrel. They reconciled after a long argument. SYNONYM reunite, make peace, settle differences ANTONYM quarrel, argue, fight

reiterate [raɪˈɪtəreɪt]

say something again or a number of times, typically for emphasis or clarity. She reiterated her point several times. SYNONYM repeat, restate, say again

renounce [rɪˈnaʊns]

formally reject or give up (a claim, right, or belief). She renounced her allegiance to the king. SYNONYM abandon, forsake, relinquish ANTONYM embrace, adopt, accept

resilient [rɪˈzɪliənt]

able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions. She was a resilient person who overcame many challenges. SYNONYM strong, tough, durable ANTONYM weak, fragile, delicate

reticent [ˈrɛtɪsnt]

not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily. She was reticent about her personal life. SYNONYM reserved, uncommunicative, taciturn ANTONYM talkative, communicative, outgoing

revere [rɪˈvɪər]

feel deep respect or admiration for (something or someone). He was revered as a saint. SYNONYM respect, admire, honor ANTONYM despise, scorn, detest

satire [ˈsætʌɪər]

the use of irony, sarcasm, ridicule, or the like, in exposing, denouncing, or deriding vice, folly, etc. The novel was a satire of political corruption. SYNONYM irony, sarcasm, ridicule

subjective [səbˈdʒɛktɪv]

based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions. Her opinion is subjective and not based on facts. SYNONYM personal, biased, opinionated ANTONYM objective, impartial, unbiased

superficial [ˌsuːpəˈfɪʃəl]

existing or occurring at or on the surface. He had a superficial understanding of the subject. SYNONYM shallow, cursory, perfunctory ANTONYM deep, profound, thorough

suppress [səˈprɛs]

prevent the expression or publication of (ideas or opinions). The government suppressed the news. SYNONYM stifle, curb, repress ANTONYM encourage, promote, foster

tenacious [təˈneɪʃəs]

tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely. She was tenacious in her pursuit of her goals. SYNONYM persistent, determined, resolute ANTONYM weak-willed, indecisive, irresolute

venerated [ˈvɛnəreɪtɪd]

accorded great respect. The revered leader was admired by many. SYNONYM respected, honored, revered ANTONYM despised, scorned, hated

vulnerable [ˈvʌlnərəbl]

susceptible to physical or emotional attack or harm. The elderly are particularly vulnerable to scams. SYNONYM susceptible, defenseless, unprotected ANTONYM strong, resilient, invulnerable

adhere [ədˈhɪər]

1. stick firmly to a surface 2. comply with a rule or agreement. "The sticker adheres to the wall." SYNONYM cling, stick, abide by ANTONYM detach, separate, violate

alienate [ˈeɪliəneɪt]

1. cause (someone) to feel isolated or estranged. "His behavior alienated his friends." SYNONYM estrange, isolate, distance ANTONYM unite, bring together, reconcile

awestruck [ˈɔːstrʌk]

filled with a feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear. "She was awestruck by the beauty of the sunset." SYNONYM amazed, astonished, dumbfounded ANTONYM unimpressed, indifferent, blasé

baffle [ˈbæfl]

to confuse or bewilder. "The riddle baffled everyone." SYNONYM perplex, puzzle, mystify ANTONYM clarify, enlighten, explain

catastrophic [ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk]

involving or causing sudden great damage or suffering. "The earthquake was a catastrophic event." SYNONYM disastrous, devastating, ruinous ANTONYM beneficial, positive, fortunate

concord [ˈkɒŋkɔːd]

agreement or harmony. "The two countries reached a state of concord." SYNONYM harmony, agreement, accord ANTONYM discord, disagreement, conflict

conformity [kənˈfɔːrməti]

compliance with rules, standards, or laws. "Conformity to the dress code is mandatory." SYNONYM obedience, compliance, submission ANTONYM nonconformity, defiance, rebellion

derivative [dɪˈrɪvətɪv]

1. copied from something else 2. obtained from a specified source. "The new novel is a derivative work." SYNONYM copied, unoriginal, secondary ANTONYM original, innovative, groundbreaking

discredit [dɪsˈkrɛdɪt]

harm someone's reputation. "The scandal discredited the politician." SYNONYM disgrace, dishonor, shame ANTONYM honor, glorify, exalt

discreet [dɪˈskriːt]

careful and prudent. "She was discreet about her personal life." SYNONYM cautious, prudent, tactful ANTONYM indiscreet, imprudent, careless

dispel [dɪˈspɛl]

dispel something, especially a feeling or belief. "He dispelled the rumors with a public statement." SYNONYM dissipate, disperse, banish ANTONYM create, generate, foster

estrangement [ɪˈstreɪndʒmənt]

the process of becoming estranged. "The estrangement between the two families lasted for years." SYNONYM alienation, separation, division ANTONYM reconciliation, reunion, rapprochement

eulogy [ˈjuːlədʒi]

a formal speech or piece of writing praising someone or something. "The eulogy at the funeral was heartfelt." SYNONYM tribute, panegyric, commendation ANTONYM condemnation, denunciation, criticism

extravagant [ɪkˈstrævəɡənt]

1. spending money recklessly 2. excessive and elaborate. "Her extravagant lifestyle led to financial ruin." SYNONYM wasteful, lavish, excessive ANTONYM frugal, economical, restrained

humble [ˈhʌmbl]

1. having or showing a modest view of one's own importance 2. of low social status. "He was a humble man despite his success." SYNONYM modest, unassuming, meek ANTONYM proud, arrogant, haughty

illusory [ɪˈluːsəri]

based on illusion; not real. "The feeling of security was illusory." SYNONYM deceptive, misleading, false ANTONYM real, genuine, authentic

inhibit [ɪnˈhɪbɪt]

hinder, restrain, or prevent (an action or process). "The fear of failure inhibited her progress." SYNONYM hinder, restrain, prevent ANTONYM encourage, stimulate, promote

interrogate [ɪnˈtɛrəɡeɪt]

question (someone) closely, especially as part of an investigation. "The police interrogated the suspect for hours." SYNONYM question, examine, quiz ANTONYM answer, respond, reply

intuitive [ɪnˈtuːɪtɪv]

using or based on intuition. "She had an intuitive understanding of the problem." SYNONYM instinctive, unconscious, inherent ANTONYM rational, logical, conscious

invigorate [ɪnˈvɪɡəreɪt]

give strength and energy to. "The cold water invigorated him." SYNONYM energize, stimulate, revitalize ANTONYM weaken, enervate, debilitate

mandate [ˈmænˌdeɪt]

an official order or commission to do something. "The government mandated the use of seat belts." SYNONYM order, command, decree ANTONYM request, suggestion, proposal

mediocre [ˌmiːdiˈoʊkər]

of only average quality; not very good. "The movie was mediocre at best." SYNONYM average, ordinary, commonplace ANTONYM excellent, outstanding, superb

prolong [prəˈlɒŋ]

extend the duration of. "The rain prolonged our stay indoors." SYNONYM extend, lengthen, prolong ANTONYM shorten, abbreviate, curtail

prophetic [prəˈfɛtɪk]

accurately predicting what will happen. "The prophet's words were prophetic." SYNONYM predictive, prescient, visionary ANTONYM inaccurate, wrong, mistaken

sentimental [ˌsɛntɪˈmɛntəl]

tending to be excessively emotional. "She was a sentimental woman who cried easily." SYNONYM emotional, tenderhearted, romantic ANTONYM unemotional, cold, callous

serene [səˈriːn]

calm, peaceful, and untroubled. "The lake was serene and still." SYNONYM calm, peaceful, tranquil ANTONYM turbulent, stormy, agitated

speculative [ˈspɛkjələtɪv]

engaged in, based on, or involving speculation. "The theory is purely speculative." SYNONYM conjectural, hypothetical, theoretical ANTONYM certain, definite, conclusive

therapeutic [ˌθɛrəˈpjuːtɪk]

relating to the treatment of disease or injury. "The massage had a therapeutic effect." SYNONYM curative, healing, remedial ANTONYM harmful, detrimental, toxic

vulgar [ˈvʌlgər]

lacking sophistication or good taste; crude. "His vulgar language offended many people." SYNONYM crude, rude, coarse ANTONYM refined, polite, cultured

warrant [ˈwɒrənt]

justify or necessitate. "The evidence warrants further investigation." SYNONYM justify, merit, deserve ANTONYM negate, contradict, disprove

acute [əˈkjuːt]

sharp or severe. "The patient is suffering from acute pain." SYNONYM intense, keen, sharp ANTONYM dull, mild, obtuse

caustic [ˈkɔːstɪk]

sarcastic in a bitter, biting way. "Her caustic remarks hurt his feelings." SYNONYM biting, sarcastic, scathing ANTONYM kind, gentle, mild

cerebral [səˈriːbrəl]

intellectual rather than emotional. "He is a very cerebral person." SYNONYM intellectual, thoughtful, rational ANTONYM emotional, passionate, impulsive

confound [kənˈfaʊnd]

cause surprise or confusion in (someone), especially by suddenly frustrating their expectations. "The unexpected twist confounded the detective." SYNONYM perplex, puzzle, bewilder ANTONYM clarify, explain, enlighten

doctrine [ˈdɒktrɪn]

a belief or set of beliefs held and taught by a church, political party, or other group. "The party's doctrine is based on socialist principles." SYNONYM belief, tenet, principle ANTONYM heresy, disbelief, skepticism

fallacy [ˈfæləsi]

a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument. "The idea that the earth is flat is a fallacy." SYNONYM misconception, delusion, mistake ANTONYM truth, fact, reality

flourish [ˈflʌrɪʃ]

grow or develop in a healthy way. "The business is flourishing." SYNONYM thrive, prosper, succeed ANTONYM decline, fail, wither

furtive [ˈfɜːrtɪv]

attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or fear. "He cast a furtive glance around the room." SYNONYM secretive, sly, sneaky ANTONYM open, candid, frank

guile [ɡaɪl]

sly or cunning intelligence especially in deceiving. "He used guile to manipulate the situation." SYNONYM cunning

abstract [ˈæbstrækt]

not concrete or tangible; theoretical. The abstract concept of love is difficult to define. SYNONYM theoretical, conceptual, intangible ANTONYM concrete, tangible

acquire [əˈkwaɪər]

to gain possession of something. She acquired a new skill by practicing daily. SYNONYM obtain, gain, procure ANTONYM lose, relinquish

advocate [ˈædvəkeɪt]

to publicly support or recommend a particular cause or policy. She advocated for stricter gun control laws. SYNONYM support, champion, promote ANTONYM oppose, condemn

allege [əˈlɛdʒ]

to claim or assert that someone has done something illegal or wrong, typically without proof. He was alleged to have stolen the money. SYNONYM claim, assert, state ANTONYM deny, refute

aspiration [ˌæspəˈreɪʃn]

a hope or ambition of achieving something. Her aspiration was to become a famous writer. SYNONYM ambition, goal, desire ANTONYM indifference, apathy

avid [ˈævɪd]

having or showing intense and eager enjoyment, interest, or enthusiasm. He was an avid reader, devouring books one after another. SYNONYM keen, eager, enthusiastic ANTONYM indifferent, apathetic, unenthusiastic

commend [kəˈmɛnd]

praise formally or officially. The teacher commended the student for her excellent work. SYNONYM praise, applaud, compliment ANTONYM criticize, condemn, censure

dearth [dɜːrθ]

a scarcity or lack of something. There was a dearth of qualified candidates for the job. SYNONYM scarcity, shortage, lack ANTONYM abundance, plenty, surplus

disillusion [ˌdɪsɪˈluːʒn]

disappoint someone by showing them that a belief or hope was false or exaggerated. The scandal disillusioned many voters. SYNONYM disenchant, disillusion, disabuse ANTONYM enchant, inspire, motivate

disparage [dɪˈspærɪdʒ]

regard or represent (someone or something) as being of little worth. She disparaged her opponent's qualifications. SYNONYM belittle, denigrate, criticize ANTONYM praise, commend, applaud

exacerbate [ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt]

make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse. The drought exacerbated the water shortage. SYNONYM worsen, aggravate, intensify ANTONYM alleviate, mitigate, improve