vocab lesson 19 and 20

haughty

scornfully superior; to have a superiority complex

supercilious

acts superior, snobbish, proud

contemptuous

showing contempt; scorn

patronizing

condescending

diffident

modest/shy because of lack of self confidence

unassuming

not arrogant, modest

unpretentious

not trying to impress others with their superiority; modest

obsequious

ready to obey like a servant/slave to gain one’s favor; excessively obedient

heinous

wicked or vile

diabolic

extremely cruel or evil (like the devil)

nefarious

wicked or criminal

abhorrent

causing disgust and loathing; repugnant

ignominy

public shame

disrepute

the state of having a bad public reputation

opprobrium

harsh criticism or censure

infamy

state of being well-known for a bad quality or deed

illicit

illegal

proscribed

forbid by law

contraband goods

items that are illegal to trade, purchase, carry, or produce

immaculate

perfectly clean, neat, or tidy; perfect

unsullied

not spoiled or made impure

impeccable

faultless, flawless; free or fault or blame

irreproachable

beyond criticism; faultless

immunity

exemption/protection from something, especially a disease

impunity

exemption from punishment, harm, or loss

immutable

unchanging over time, unable to be changed

resolute

admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering

steadfast

dutifully firm and unwavering

impasse

situation where no progress is possible; dead end

impediment

a hindrance or obstacle

encumbrance

a burden or impediment

impervious

incapable of being penetrated or affected

implacable

unable to be pacified/soothed

unrelenting

not letting up in strength, severity, or determination (EX: unrelenting struggle)

inexorable

impossible to stop or prevent

obdurate

stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or actions; stubborn

implicit

implied, not plainly expressed

tacit

understood or implied without being stated

impugn

dispute the truth/honesty of, call into question

malign

evil in nature or effect

cast aspersions on

to criticize/make judgements about someone/thing

incarcerate

imprison or confine

incense

to make violently angry

incite

encourage or stir up violent/unlawful behavior

quixotic

exceedinly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical

a pollyanna

an excessively cheerful or optimistic person

gargantuan

enormous

serendipity

things or events that happen by chance that benefit someone/cause happiness

utopian

modeled after the state of being perfect; idealistic

a ragamuffin

a person in ragged/dirty clothes (typically a child)

a red letter day

a memorable day; pleasantly noteworthy day

a red herring

clue or piece of information that is or is meant to be misleading/distracting

to paint the town red

to go out and enjoy oneself

in the red

going in debt; spending and owing more money than what is being earned

to roll out the red carpet

welcome an important guest

red flag

warning/signal of danger

inception

the beginning of something

commencement

a beginning or start

inauguration

beginning/introduction of a system, policy, or period

indigent

poor; needy

ingenious

clever, original, inventive

shrewd

having/showing good judgement; astute

astute

having the ability to make good judgements

pedestrian

lacking inspiration or excitement; dull

inherent

existing as a permanent/essential part of something

intrinsic

belonging naturally; essential

extrinsic

not part of the essential nature of someone or something; extraneous

innovation

something new; a change

instigate

stir up or initiate

foment

stir up (an undesirable or violent course of action)

quell

put an end to using force (usually a rebellion or disorder)

allay

diminish or put at rest (fear, suspicion, doubt)

pacify

quell the anger, excitement, or excitement of

insuperable

(of a difficulty or obstacle) impossible to overcome

indomitable

impossible to defeat

intervene

come in between; to involve oneself in

intrepid

fearless and bold; adventurous

gallant

brave; heroic

stouthearted

courageous or determined

lionhearted

brave or determined

timorous

showing or suffering from nervousness; lack of confidence

pusillanimous

lacking courage or resolution

inveigh

to protest, attack, or complain bitterly/in a forceful manner

berate

scold or criticize angrily

decry

publicly denounce; express scorn and disrespect for

lambaste

criticize harshly

irony

incongruity between what is expected and what actually happens

a backhanded compliment

a remark that is seemingly pleasant but could also be an insult

jeopardize

putting someone in a situation of harm, failure, or loss

double jeopardy

putting a person on trial for the same crime twice → this action is illegal

jettison

to throw overboard

judicious

having/showing good judgement or sense

sagacious

having good judgement; shrewd

sage

a wise/mature person with good judgement

justify

show to be right/just or reasonable