English vocab

why the HELL is it 150 words

abate

abate

To reduce or diminish in intensity.

abject

Extremely miserable or wretched.

abstemious

Characterized by moderation, especially in eating and drinking.

abstruse

Difficult to understand; obscure.

accoutrement

Additional items of dress or equipment.

acquit

To free or clear from a charge or accusation.

acrimonious

Bitter and sharp in language or tone.

acumen

Keen insight or judgment.

adamant

Unyielding, refusing to be persuaded.

admonish

To warn or reprimand firmly.

adulation

Excessive admiration or praise.

aesthetic

Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty.

affable

Friendly and easy to approach.

aggregate

Formed by the combination of several elements.

agnostic

Someone who is unsure about the existence of God or gods.

agrarian

Related to farming or rural matters.

alacrity

Promptness and eagerness.

altercation

A noisy argument or disagreement.

altruistic

Selflessly concerned for the well-being of others.

amalgamate

To combine or unite to form a whole.

ambivalent

Having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas.

anachronism

Something out of its proper time.

anamorphic

Distorted or stretched in appearance.

anathema

Something or someone intensely disliked.

animosity

Strong hostility or hatred.

apathy

Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

apostate

One who renounces a religious or political belief.

aptitude

Natural ability or skill.

arbitrary

Based on random choice or personal whim.

arduous

Difficult and demanding, requiring much effort.

ascetic

One who practices self-discipline and abstention from indulgence.

asperity

Harshness of tone or manner.

assiduous

Diligent, hardworking, and persistent.

assuage

To make an unpleasant feeling less intense.

audacity

Boldness or daring, often with disregard for others.

augment

To increase or enlarge in size or quantity.

austere

Severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance.

avarice

Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

averse

Having a strong dislike or opposition.

avid

Enthusiastic and eager.

banal

Lacking originality, common and uninspired.

baneful

Causing harm or destruction.

bellicose

Inclined to fight or be aggressive.

benign

Kindly and gentle, not harmful.

bibliophile

A lover of books.

bucolic

Relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside.

bumptious

Self-assertive or proud in an irritating way.

cadaverous

Pale, gaunt, and resembling a corpse.

cajole

To persuade someone to do something through flattery or deceit.

callous

Emotionally insensitive or unfeeling.

calumny

False and malicious statement designed to damage someone's reputation.

cantankerous

Bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative.

capricious

Unpredictable, impulsive, subject to whim.

captious

Quick to find fault or raise petty objections.

castigate

To reprimand severely.

cataclysm

A sudden and violent upheaval, often causing great destruction.

caustic

Sarcastic in a scathing and bitter way.

charlatan

A person falsely claiming to have special knowledge or skills.

chastise

To criticize severely or punish.

chauvinism

Excessive or prejudiced loyalty to one's own group.

chicanery

Deception or trickery, especially in legal or political matters.

circuitous

Indirect, taking a longer route.

circumspect

Cautious and prudent, considering all possible consequences.

circumvent

To find a way around or overcome an obstacle.

clandestine

Secret, concealed, often involving secrecy or concealment.

clement

Mild and gentle, especially in weather.

cliché

Overused phrase or idea lacking originality.

coerce

To force someone to do something through intimidation or threats.

cogent

Convincing and well-reasoned.

colloquial

Informal and conversational, typically used in everyday language.

comely

Pleasing in appearance, attractive.

complacent

Self-satisfied and unaware of potential dangers.

concur

To agree or be in harmony.

condone

To accept or allow behavior that is morally wrong or offensive.

connive

To secretly cooperate or conspire, often for deceitful purposes.

connoisseur

An expert judge in matters of taste and appreciation.

consummate

To bring to completion or perfection.

contrite

Remorseful and affected by guilt.

contumely

Insolent or insulting language or treatment.

copious

Abundant in supply or quantity.

corroborate

To confirm or give support to a statement or theory.

coterie

A small group of people with shared interests.

credence

Belief in or acceptance of something as true.

culmination

The highest or climactic point.

culpable

Deserving blame or censure.

cupidity

Excessive greed, especially for wealth.

cursory

Hasty and superficial, done quickly with little attention to detail.

cynical

Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest.

debonair

Sophisticated, charming, and confident.

decorum

Proper behavior and etiquette.

decrepitude

State of being worn out or ruined due to age or neglect.

deleterious

Harmful and damaging.

dogmatic

Asserting opinions as if they were facts, without evidence.

duplicity

Deceitfulness, double-dealing.

effete

Lacking in strength or vitality, worn out.

efficacious

Effective in producing a desired result.

effigy

A sculpture or model of a person.

effrontery

Shameless boldness or audacity.

egregious

Outstandingly bad, shocking.

elicit

To draw out a response, information, or reaction.