Advanced words 3-5

prognostication

noun: a statement made about the future

When the Senator was asked about where the negotiations would lead, he said that any guess he could make would be an unreliable 111.

prolixity

noun: boring verbosity

I loved my grandfather dearly, but his 111 would put me to sleep, regardless of the topic.

recapitulation

noun: a summary (think of recap)

Every point of the professors lesson was so clear that the students felt his concluding 111 was not necessary.

probity

noun: integrity, strong moral principles

The ideal politician would have the 111 to lead, but reality gravely falls short of the ideal of morally upright leaders.

litany

noun: any long and tedious account of something

Mr. Rogers spoke to a Senate committee and did not give a 111 of reasons to keep funding the program, but instead, appealed to the basic human decency of all present.

derelict

adjective: (of a person) not doing one's duties

The teacher was 111 in her duties because she hadn't graded a single student paper in three weeks.

noun: (of a building) abandoned

At one time the waterfront factories were busy and productive, but now that the economy has collapsed and the factories are all closed, these 111 will be torn down.

approbatory

adjective: expressing praise or approval

Although it might not be her best work, Hunter's new novel has received generally 111 reviews.

sinecure

noun: an office that involves minimal duties

The position of Research Director is a 111: the job entails almost no responsibilities, nor does the person in that position have to answer to anyone.

punctilious

adjective: marked by precise accordance with details

The colonel was so 111 about enforcing regulations that men feel compelled to polish even the soles of their shoes.

insouciance

noun: lack of concern

Surprisingly, Hank had become a high-powered CEO; his high school friends remembered him as "Hanky Panky", who shrugged off each failed class with 111.

enjoin

verb: give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority

The government agency 111 the chemical company to clean up the hazardous dump it had created over the years.

charlatan

noun: a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes

You may call him a "motivational speaker," but I call him a 111--he doesn't have any idea what he's really talking about.

primacy

noun: the state of being first in importance

The 111 of Apple Computers is not guaranteed, as seen in the recent lawsuits and weak growth.

pecuniary

adjective: relating to or involving money

The defendant was found guilty and had to serve a period of community service as well as pay 111 damages to the client.

epiphany

noun: a sudden revelation or moment of insight

Gary one day had an 111 that he was a people person; he promptly quit his factory job and began working as a salesman.

lugubrious

adjective: excessively mournful

At the funeral, 111 songs filled the small church.

portentous

adjective: ominously prophetic

When the captain and more than half the officers were sick on the very first night of the voyage, many of the passengers felt this was 111, but the rest of the voyage continued without any problems.

sagacious

adjective: having good judgement and acute insight

Steve Jobs is surely one of the most 111 CEOs, making Apple one of the most recognizable and valuable companies in the world.

raconteur

noun: a person skilled in telling anecdotes

Jude is entertaining, but he is no 111: beyond the handful of amusing stories he has memorized, he has absolutely no spontaneous story-telling ability.

redoubtable

adjective: inspiring fear or awe

On television basketball players don't look that tall, but when you stand in front of a seven-foot tall NBA player, he is truly 111.

grandiloquent

adjective: puffed up with vanity

The dictator was known for his 111 speeches, puffing his chest out and using big, important-sounding words.

perspicacious

adjective: acutely insightful and wise

Many modern observers regard Eisenhower as 111, particularly in his accurate prediction of the growth of the military.

effrontery

noun: audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to

The skateboarders acted with 111, skating through the church grounds and spray-painting signs warning trespassers.

flummox

verb: be a mystery or bewildering to

Mary's behavior completely 111 me: I never have any idea what her motivations might be.

provident

adjective: careful in regard to your own interests; providing carefully for the future

In a move that hardly could be described as 111, Bert spent his entire savings on a luxurious cruise, knowing that other bills would come due a couple months later.

semblance

noun: an outward or token appearance or form that is deliberately misleading

While the banker maintained a 111 of respectability in public, those who knew him well were familiar with his many crimes.

umbrage

noun: a feeling of anger caused by being offended

Since he was so in love with her, he took 111 at her comments, even though she had only meant to gently tease him.

plucky

adjective: marked by courage and determination

Some scouts initially doubted Pedroia because of his short stature, but he is a 111 player, surprising everyone with his boundless energy and fierce determination.

cede

verb: relinquish possession or control over

Eventually, all parents must 111 control of their growing childrens' educations and allow their offspring some autonomy.

illustrious

adjective: widely known and esteemed; having or conferring glory

Einstein was possibly the most 111 scientist in recent history.

artlessness

noun: the quality of innocence

I, personally, found the 111 of her speech charming.

solecism

noun: a socially awkward or tactless act

Mother Anna was always on guard against any 111 from her children and scolded them immediately if any of them talked out of place in public.

temerity

noun: fearless daring

No child has the 111 to go in the rundown house at the end of the street and see if it is haunted.

mordant

adjective: biting and caustic in thought, manner, or style

While Phil frequently made 111 remarks about company policy overall, he always was considerably gentler in discussing any person in particular.

hail

verb: enthusiastically acclaim or celebrate something

Many college superstar athletes are 111 as the next big thing, but then flop at the professional level.

hagiographic

adjective: excessively flattering toward someone's life or work

Most accounts of Tiger Woods's life were 111, until, that is, his affairs made headlines.

quail

verb: draw back, as with fear or pain

Craig always claimed to be a fearless outdoorsman, but when the thunderstorm engulfed the valley, he 111 at the thought of leaving the safety of his cabin.

anodyne

noun: something that soothes or relieves pain

Muzak, which is played in department stores, is intended to be an 111, but is often so cheesy and over-the-top that customers become irritated.

adjective: inoffensive

Wilbur enjoyed a spicy Mexican breakfast, but Jill preferred a far more 111 meal in the mornings.

lampoon

verb: ridicule with satire

Mark Twain understood that 111 a bad idea with humor was the most effective criticism.

maunder

verb: wander aimlessly

Max liked to 111 down by the seaside and pick up whatever sea shells he would stumble upon.

verb: speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly

After drinking two espressos each, the animated couple would 111 loudly, annoying the other patrons in the coffee shop.

unforthcoming

adjective: uncooperative, not willing to give up information

The teacher demanded to know who broke the window while he was out of the room, but the students understandably were 111.

enthrall

verb: hold spellbound

She was so 111 by the movie that she never heard people screaming, "Fire! Fire!" in the neighboring theater.

importune

verb: beg persistently and urgently

After weeks of 111 the star to meet for a five-minute interview, the journalist finally got what she wanted.

gaffe

noun: a socially awkward or tactless act

In a famous 111, Vice President Quayle attempted to correct the spelling of a grade school student, only to find that the child was correct.

impute

verb: attribute (responsibility or fault) to something

He 111 his subpar performance on the test to a combination of stress and poor sleep.

anemic

adjective: lacking energy and vigor

After three straight shows, the lead actress gave an 111 performance the fourth night, barely speaking loudly enough for those in the back rows to hear.

bowdlerize

verb: edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate

To receive an R rating, the entire movie was 111 because it contained so much violence and grotesque subject matter.

vitriolic

adjective: harsh or corrosive in tone

While the teacher was more moderate in her criticism of the other student's papers, she was 111 toward Peter's paper, casting every flaw in the harshest light.

duplicity

noun: deceitfulness, pretending to want one thing but interested in something else

A life of espionage is one of 111: an agent must pretend to be a totally different person than who she or he actually is.

moribund

adjective: being on the point of death; declining rapidly losing all momentum in progress

Whether you like it or not, jazz as a genre is 111 at best, possibly already dead.

corollary

noun: a practical consequence that follows naturally

A 111 of Hurricane Sandy, which ravaged the east coast of the U.S., is a push to build higher sea walls to protect against future hurricanes.

rarefied

adjective: made more subtle or refined

Jack's vulgar jokes were not so successful in the 111 environment of college professors.

puissant

adjective: powerful

Over the years of service, and quite to his surprise, he became a 111 advisor to the community.

imperious

adjective: having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy

Children are 111 with each other before they learn that earning someone's respect is better than demanding.

intimation

noun: an indirect suggestion

At first the hostess tried 111, praising the benefits of cutlery; when Cecil continued eating with his hands, the hostess told him to use a fork at dinner.

dovetail

verb: fit together tightly, as if by means of an interlocking joint

Although Darwin's evolution and Mendel's genetics were developed in isolation from one another, they 111 very well.

asperity

noun: harshness of manner

The editor was known for his 111, often sending severe letters of rejection to amateur writers.

unviable

adjective: not able to work, survive, or succeed (also spelled inviable).

The plan was obviously 111 considering that it lead to complete environmental destruction in the river valley.

inviolate

adjective: must be kept sacred

While the literary critic subjected most of the classics to the harshest reviews, he regarded Cervantes as 111, and had nothing but praise for him.

ossify

verb: make rigid and set into a conventional pattern

Even as a young man, Bob had some bias against poor people, but during his years in social services, his bad opinions 111 into unshiftable views.

hubris

noun: overbearing pride or presumption

Bill Clinton was criticized for his 111, since he believed he could get away with anything once in the White House.

equitable

adjective: fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience

The 111 distribution of ice cream to a group of 5 year olds will ensure little to no fighting—at least until the ice cream is gone.

inimitable

adjective: defying imitation; matchless

Mozart's music follows a clear pattern that, anyone could imitate, but his music gives an overall sense of effortlessness that is 111.

tempestuous

adjective: as if driven by turbulent or conflicting emotions; highly energetic and wildly changing or fluctuating

Chuck and Kathy had always been stable and agreeable people on their own, but when they got involved, it was a 111 relationship.

improvident

adjective: not given careful consideration

Marty was 111, never putting money aside for the future but spending it on decorating the interior of his home.

celerity

noun: speed, rapidity

We aim to respond to customers' questions with 111 and accuracy, with no longer than a 24 hour wait time.

crystallize

verb: cause to take on a definite and clear shape

Only after fifteen minutes of brainstorming did Samantha's ideas for the essay 111.

irrefutable

adjective: impossible to deny or disprove

Scientists are searching for 111 evidence that some form of life existed on mars at some point in its history.

immure

verb: to enclose, usually in walls

The modern supermarket experience makes many feel claustrophobic, as they are 111 in walls upon walls of products.

ribald

adjective: humorously vulgar

The speaker was famous for his 111 humor, but the high school principal asked him to keep the talk G-rated when he spoke to the student body.

puerile

adjective: of or characteristic of a child; displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity

Helen enjoyed blowing soap bubbles, but Jim regarded this as 111, totally unworthy of a woman with a Ph.D.

magisterial

adjective: offensively self-assured or given to exercising unwarranted power

Though she was only a third grade teacher, Ms. Martinet was 111 in dealing with her class, lording over them like a queen.

firebrand

noun: someone who deliberately creates trouble

Freddie is a 111: every time he walks into the office, he winds up at the center of heated argument.

apposite

adjective: remarkably appropriate

For a writer with such quick wit, Jonathan Swift has a rather 111 name.

stalwart

adjective: dependable; inured to fatigue or hardships

Despite all the criticism directed at the President during this scandal, Lisa has remained his 111 supporter.

lacerate

verb: deeply hurt the feelings of; distress

The teacher was fired for 111 a student who wrote a poor essay.

decry

verb: express strong disapproval of

The entire audience erupted in shouts and curses, 111 the penalty card issued by the referee.

impetuous

adjective: characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation

Herbert is rarely 111, but on the spur of the moment, he spent thousands of dollars on a motorcycle today.

incontrovertible

adjective: necessarily or demonstrably true; impossible to deny or disprove

Unless you can provide 111 evidence, I will remain skeptical.

obstreperous

adjective: noisily and stubbornly defiant; willfully difficult to control

When the teacher asked the 111 student simply to bus his tray, the student threw the entire tray on the floor, shouted an epithet, and walked out.

invidious

adjective: likely to cause resentment

At a time when many others in the office were about to be laid off, many considered Cheryl's fine clothes that day an 111 display.

cosset

verb: treat with excessive indulgence

The king and queen 111 the young prince, giving him a prized miniature pony for his fifth birthday.

encumber

verb: hold back

The costume 111 all my movements and caused me to sweat profusely.

presentiment

noun: a feeling of evil to come

On the night that Lincoln would be fatally shot, his wife had a 111 about going to Ford's Theater, but Lincoln persuaded her that everything would be fine.

nonchalant

adjective: coming across as uninterested or unconcerned; overly casual

The twenty-somethings at the coffee shop always irked Sheldon, especially the way in which they acted 111 towards everything, not even caring when Sheldon once spilled his mocha on them.

spartan

adjective: unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment; practicing great self-denial

After losing everything in a fire, Tim decided to live in 111 conditions, sleeping on the floor and owning as little furniture as possible.

adjective: Lacking in decoration and luxury

After getting her degree, Isabella moved into a small and 111 apartment, spending most of her income on student loan payments.

peripatetic

adjective: traveling by foot

Jim always preferred a 111 approach to discovering a city: he felt that he could see so many more details while walking.

denouement

noun: the final resolution of the many strands of a literary or dramatic work; the outcome of a complex sequence of events

At the 111 of the movie, all questions were answered, and the true identity of the robber was revealed.

patent

adjective: glaringly obvious

Since the book had been through no fewer than six proof runs, the staff was shocked to see such a 111 spelling mistake remaining, right in the middle of the front cover!

machinate

verb: engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together

The rebels met at night in an abandoned barn to 111.

flippant

adjective: showing inappropriate levity

Although Sam was trying to honor Mark's sense of humor, many found it quite 111 that he wore a comic nose and glasses mask to Mark's funeral.

unpropitious

adjective: (of a circumstance) with little chance of success

With only a bottle of water and a sandwich, the hikers faced an 111 task: ascending a huge mountain that took most two days to climb.

recrimination

noun: mutual accusations

The two brothers sat and cried, pointing fingers and making elaborate 111 of the other's guilt

crestfallen

adjective: brought low in spirit

I asked Maria on a date and she refused without a moment's thought; I was 111.

surreptitious

adjective: stealthy, taking pains not to be caught or detected

Since his mom was a light sleeper, Timmy had to tiptoe 111 through the entire house, careful to not make the floors creak, until he at last was able to enjoy his plunder: a box of chocolate chip cookies.

inure

verb: to make accustomed to something unpleasant

Three years of Manhattan living has 111 her to the sound of wailing sirens; she could probably sleep through the apocalypse.

dispensation

noun: an exemption from a rule or obligation

Since her father is a billionaire, she is given 111 from many of the school's policies.

subterfuge

noun: something intended to misrepresent the true nature of an activity

Finally deciding to abandon all 111, Arthur revealed to Cindy everything about his secret affair over the past two years.

untenable

adjective: (of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified

With the combination of Kepler's brilliant theories and Galileo's telescopic observations, the old geocentric theory became 111 to most of the educated people in Europe.

hobble

verb: to hold back the progress of something

Bad weather has 111 rescue efforts, making it difficult for crews to find bodies in the wreckage.