ACT vocabulary

prosaic

lacking poetic beauty; commonplace or dull, unimaginative

nefarious

wicked or criminal; evil

cursory

not thorough or detailed; superficial; performed hastily

tenacious

tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely; persistent, determined, stubborn

elaborate (adj)

planned with great care, painstaking

vindicate

to clear of accusation or suspicion

boorish

rude; lacking manners

anachronism

Something out of its correct chronological or historical order

Laudatory

Containing or expressing praise

Commendable

Worthy of great praise or approval

Equitable

Characterized by fairness and impartiality

Holistic

Emphasizing the importance of the whole

Eclectic

Comprising individual elements from a wide variety of sources

Consensus

General agreement or accord

Nostalgia

A longing for a former place or time

Disparity

Difference

Lament

To mourn for

depict

to represent or characterize in words or pictures

zealous

motivated by zeal; enthusiastic

embody

to represent in bodily or tangible form

cathartic

delivering catharsis; emotionally purging

idiosyncrasy

a habit or characteristic peculiar to an individual

elucidate

to explain

advocate

one who acts in support or defense of something

conciliatory

accommodating

erratic

lacking consistency

sanguine

optimistic, hopeful, or confident

Ethical

In accordance with the rules or standards for right conduct

Partisan

Biased

Censure

To express disapproval, to criticize or blame

Florid

Reddish or rosy

Apprehensive

uneasy

Eloquent

Characterized by clear, persuasive speech

Refute

To prove to be false

Naive

Unsophisticated

Mundane

Ordinary

Deride

To ridicule

Lucid

Clear; rational

Mock

To ridicule

Irreverent

Showing lack of due respect

Arrogance

Display of self-importance or superiority

Ineffable

Inexpressible

Defiant

Boldly resisting authority or an opposing force

Consummate

Complete or perfect in every respect

Magnanimous

Generous in forgiving, unselfish, free of resentment

Rhetorical

used for style or effect only

Felicitous

Well suited for the occasion, appropriate

Obstinate

Stubborn

Intemperate

Given to indulgence; not moderate

Superfluous

Unnecessary

Novel

New; different

Pragmatic

Practical

Brevity

The quality of being brief in time or duration

Exemplary

Worthy of imitation; estimable; praiseworthy

Quell

To suppress; to put an end to, to pacify

Adept

Very skilled, able or proficient

Solicitous

Anxious, concerned, careful, eager

Speculate

To think, reflect, conjecture

Cite

To quote as authority

Venerate

To regard or treat with reverence

Disparage

To speak with disrespect, belittle