Vocab Test 5/14 ish

retronym

a new term created from an existing word in order to distinguish it from the meaning that has emerged through progress or technological development

accolade

an award or privilege granted as a special honor or as an acknowledgment of merit

condone

to accept and allow (behavior that is considered morally wrong or offensive) to continue.

qualm

an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one's own conduct; a misgiving

complaisant

willing to please others; obliging; agreeable

somber

dark or dull in color or tone; gloomy

brazen

bold and without shame

catapult

hurl or launch (something) in a specified direction

precipice

a very steep rock face or cliff, especially a tall one

insurmountable

too great to be overcome

mollify

appease the anger or anxiety of (someone)

nostalgia

a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations

amorphous

without a clearly defined shape or form

fret

to be constantly or visibly worried or anxious / to gradually wear away (something) by rubbing or gnawing

conjure

to call upon (a spirit or ghost) to appear, by means of a magic ritual / to implore (someone) to do something

pungent

having a sharply strong taste or smell

equilibrium

a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced

mitigate

make less severe, serious, or painful.

guffaw

a loud and boisterous laugh / to laugh in a loud and boisterous way

quandary

a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation

audacity

a willingness to take bold risks / rude or disrespectful behavior

resolve

settle or find a solution to (a problem, dispute, or contentious matter) / decide firmly on a course of action

mercurial

(of a person) subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

apathetic

showing or feeling no interest, enthusiasm, or concern.

refuge

a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble

superlative

of the highest quality or degree.

tenacious

tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely / not readily relinquishing a position, principle, or course of action; determined.

uncanny

strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way

palpable

(of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible / able to be touched or felt

content

in a state of peaceful happiness.

malicious

characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm

menial

(of work) not requiring much skill and lacking prestige

inquisitive

curious or inquiring

adversary

one's opponent in a contest, conflict, or dispute

forestall

prevent or obstruct (an anticipated event or action) by taking action ahead of time

prevail

prove more powerful than opposing forces; be victorious

nuisance

a person, thing, or circumstance causing inconvenience or annoyance

emulate

match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation

resolute

admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

incredulous

(of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something.

exacerbate

make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse

tumultuous

making a loud, confused noise; uproarious

reticent

not revealing one's thoughts or feelings readily

stagnant

showing no activity; dull and sluggish / (of a body of water or the atmosphere of a confined space) having no current or flow and often having an unpleasant smell as a consequence.

poignant

evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret or reflection

benign

gentle and kindly / (of a disease) not harmful in effect

indelible

not able to be forgotten or removed / (of ink or a pen) making marks that cannot be removed

autonomy

the right or condition of self-government / the capacity of an agent to act in accordance with objective morality rather than under the influence of desires.

accessible

easily understood or appreciated / of a person, typically one in a position of authority or importance) friendly and easy to talk to; approachable / (of a place) able to be reached or entered

despondent

in low spirits from loss of hope or courage

insipid

lacking flavor

pseudonym

a fictitious name, especially one used by an author.

galvanize

to shock or excite (someone) into taking action.

pastiche

an artistic work in a style that imitates that of another work, artist, or period.

chasm

a profound difference between people, viewpoints, feelings, etc / a deep fissure in the earth, rock, or another surface.

imbue

inspire or permeate with (a feeling or quality)

stark

severe or bare in appearance or outline / complete; sheer / stiff, rigid, or incapable of movement

refute

to prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove.

gingerly

in a careful or cautious manner.

volatile

liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse / (of a substance) easily evaporated at normal temperatures

indulgent

having or indicating a tendency to be overly generous to or lenient with someone

austere

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance

salient

most noticeable or important

antiquated

old-fashioned or outdated

innate

inborn; natural

appease

to pacify or placate (someone) by acceding to their demands / relieve or satisfy (a demand or a feeling)

anecdote

a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person

cantankerous

bad-tempered, argumentative, and uncooperative

ingratiate

bring oneself into favor with someone by flattering or trying to please them

vigilant

keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties

acquiesce

to accept something reluctantly but without protest

inconsequential

not important or significant

litigious

unreasonably prone to go to law to settle disputes

auxiliary

providing supplementary or additional help and support

venerate

to regard with great respect; revere

candid

truthful and straightforward; frank

synergy

the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

genteel

polite, refined, or respectable, often in an ostentatious way

sporadic

occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places; scattered or isolated

nirvana

a state of perfect happiness; an ideal or idyllic place.

astute

having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations or people and turn this to one's advantage

bestow

to present (an honor, right, or gift) / to put to use, apply

insidious

proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects

acute

(of a bad, difficult, or unwelcome situation or phenomenon) present or experienced to a severe or intense degree / having or showing a perceptive understanding or insight; shrewd

capitulate

to cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender

copious

abundant in supply or quantity

duplicity

deceitfulness; double-dealing

erroneous

wrong; incorrect

impediment

a hindrance or obstruction in doing something

empirical

based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic

apex

the top or highest part of something, especially one forming a point

iconoclast

a person who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions / a destroyer of images used in religious worship

caveat

an explanation to prevent misinterpretation / a warning of specific stipulations, conditions, or limitations

kismet

destiny, fate

rudimentary

involving or limited to basic principles

colloquial

(of language) used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary

eradicate

to destroy completely; put an end to

meritorious

deserving reward or praise

travesty

a false, absurd, or distorted representation of something

ambiance

the character and atmosphere of a place