the full set

dearth (n)

scarcity, lack

debacle (n)

disastrous failure, disruption

debase (v)

degrade, reduce in value

debauch (v)

corrupt

debunk (v)

expose the falseness of

decorous (a)

appropriate

decry (v)

criticize openly

deface (v)

ruin or injure stuff’s appearance

defamatory (a)

harmful towards another’s reputation

defer (v)

postpone, yield to another’s wisdom

deferential (a)

show respect

defile (v)

make unclean, impure

deft (a)

skillful, capable

defunct (a)

no longer used or existing

delegate (v)

hand over responsibility

deleterious (a)

harmful

delineate (v)

describe, outline

demagogue (n)

leader who appeals to a people’s prejudices

demarcation (n)

marking of boundaries or categories

demean (v)

lower the status

denigrate (v)

belittle, diminish the position of

denounce (v)

criticize publicly

deplore (v)

express sorrow, disapprove

depravity (n)

wickedness, corruption

deprecate (v)

belittle

derelict (a)

abandoned, run-down

deride (v)

laugh at mockingly, scorn

desecrate (v)

violate, treat with disrespect

desiccated (a)

dried up, dehydrated

desolate (a)

deserted, lifeless

despondent (a)

depressed, hopeless

despot (n)

one with power and rules brutally

destitute (a)

impoverished

deter (v)

discourage

devious (a)

deceitful, not straightforward

diaphanous (a)

light, airy, transparent

didactic (a)

instructive, overly moralistic

diffident (a)

shy, quiet, modest

diffuse (a)

scattered, disorganized

diffuse (v)

scatter, thin out, break up

dilatory (a)

causing delay

diligent (a)

showing care, conscientious

diminutive (a)

small, miniature

dirge (n)

mournful song (funeral)

disaffected (a)

rebellious, resentful of authority

disavow (v)

deny knowledge of or responsibility for

discern (v)

perceive, detect

disclose (v)

reveal, make public

discomfit (v)

thwart, embarrass

discordant (a)

disagree, not in harmony with

discrepancy (n)

inconsistency

discretion (n)

reserved, good judgment

discursive (a)

not concise, rambling, lacking order

disdain (v)(n)

scorn, low esteem

disgruntled (a)

upset, not content

disparage (v)

criticize, speak ill of

disparate (a)

differing; containing contrasting elements

dispel (v)

drive away, scatter

disperse (v)

scatter

disrepute (n)

being held in low regard

dissemble (v)

conceal, fake

disseminate (v)

spread

dissent (v)(n)

disagree

dissipate (v)

1. disappear 2. waste

dissonance (n)

inconsistency

dissuade (v)

persuade out of

distend (v)

swell

dither about (v)

indecisive

divine (a)

godly, exceedingly wonderful

divisive (a)

causing disagreement, hostility

divulge (v)

reveal sth secret

docile (a)

easily taught or trained

dogmatic (a)

opinionated

dormant (a)

sleeping, temporarily inactive

dour (a)

joyless

dubious (a)

doubtful, uncertain quality

duplicity (n)

craft, dishonesty

duress (n)

hardship, threat

dynamic (a)

actively changing

enmity (n)

ill will, hatred, hostility

ennui (n)

boredom, weariness

entail (v)

include as necessary

enthrall (v)

charm, captivate

ephemeral (a)

short-lived, fleeting

epistolary (a)

contained in letters

epitome (n)

perfect example, embodiment

equanimity (n)

composure

equivocal (a)

ambiguous, uncertain

erudite (a)

learned

eschew (v)

avoid

esoteric (a)

understood by few

espouse (v)

adopt or support

ethereal (a)

heavenly, delicate, refined

etymology (n)

study of words

evanescent (a)

fleeting, momentary

evince (v)

show, reveal

exacerbate (v)

make worse

exalt (v)

glorify, praise

exasperate (v)

irritate, infuriate

exculpate (v)

free from guilt or blame