English Vocab 2

Adversary

Adversary

(n) An enemy, opponent

A best friend off the tennis court can also be a fierce _____ on it.

Alienate

(v) To turn away; to make indifferent or hostile; to transfer

Gossiping and backbiting are bad habits that are bound to _____ friends.

Artifice

(n) a skillful or ingenious device; a clever trick; a clever skill; trickery

Even the most renowned art experts were completely taken in by the forger's _____.

Coerce

(v) To compel, force

Dictators try to _____ their subjects into obedience by threatening them or their families with punishment.

Craven

(adj) Cowardly; (n) a coward

Those who urged Great Britain to make peace with Hitler were criticized for their _____ attitude.

It is a mistake to assume that everyone who refuses to go to war is a _____ who lacks patriotism.

Culinary

(adj) Of or related to cooking or the kitchen

Cooking shows on television have helped many people to master the secrets of the _____ arts.

Demise

(n) A death, especially of a person in a lofty position

Traditionally, the tolling of church bells has announced the _____ of a monarch.

Exhilarate

(v) To enliven, cheer, give spirit or liveliness to

The first landing on the moon, in the summer of 1969, _____ the nation.

Fallow

(adj) Plowed but not seeded; inactive; reddish-yellow; (n) Land left unseeded; (v) To plow but not seed

After a month without a date, I decided that my social life was definitely in a _____ period.

In the drought-stricken region, there were millions of acres of _______.

Farmers often _____ a third of their field each year to restore the chemical balance of the soil.

Harass

(v) To disturb, worry; to trouble by repeated attacks

The judge repeatedly cautioned the prosecuting attorney not to _____ the witness

Inclement

(adj) Stormy, harsh; severe in attitude or action

During an _____ New England winter, heavy snowfalls may bring highway traffic to a standstill.

Liquidate

(v) To pay a debt, settle an account; to eliminate

After a profitable year, the business was able to _____ its loan.

Muse

(v) To think about in a dreamy way, ponder

Philosophers have always _____ on the meaning of life.

Negligible

(adj) So unimportant that it can be disregarded

After taxes are deducted, a small raise in salary may result in a _____ increase in take-home pay.

Perpetuate

(v) To make permanent or long lasting

In most cultures, people try to ______ the customs of their ancestors.

Precedent

(n) An example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action

We hope that students at other schools in our city will follow our _____ in volunteer work and charitable contributions.

Punitive

(adj) Inflicting or aiming at punishment

The general led a _____ expedition against the rebel forces.

Redress

(v) To set right, remedy; (n) relief from wrong or injury

An apology can go a long way to _____ the hurt feelings caused by an insensitive comment or thoughtless act.

The accident victims will seek _____ for the injuries they suffered in the train crash.

Sojourn

(n) A temporary stay; (v) to stay for a time

No matter how short your _____ in Paris, you must take time to go to the Lourve.

Many American graduates _____ abroad before they begin working full-time at home.

Urbane

(adj) Refined in manner or style, suave

An _____ host puts guests at ease by appearing totally confident and unruffled no matter what happens.