Midterm Vocabulary Words 2026 DEFINITIONS

adulterate

(verb) to corrupt, make worse by the addition of something of lesser value

fortitude

(noun) courage in facing difficulties

gibe

(verb) to utter taunting words; (noun) an expression of scorn

guise

(noun) an external appearance, cover, mask

insidious

(adjective) intended to deceive or entrap; sly, treacherous

reiterate

(verb) to say again, repeat

stolid

(adjective) not easily moved mentally or emotionally; dull, unresponsive

adroit

(adjective) skillful, expert in the use of the hands or mind

benevolent

(adjective) kindly, charitable

duplicity

(noun) treachery, deceitfulness

feasible

(adjective) possible, able to be done

quintessence

(noun) the purest essence or form of something; the most typical example

tepid

(adjective) lukewarm; unenthusiastic, marked by an absence of interest

adversary

(noun) an enemy, opponent

artifice

(noun) a skillful or ingenious device; a clever trick; a clever skill; trickery

craven

(adjective) cowardly; (noun) a coward

precedent

(noun) an example that may serve as a basis for imitation or later action

punitive

(adjective) inflicting or aiming at punishment

redress

(verb) to set right, remedy; (noun) relief from wrong or injury

urbane

(adjective) refined in manner or style, suave

ascertain

(verb) to find out

cogent

(adjective) forceful, convincing; relevant, to the point

invulnerable

(adjective) not able to be wounded or hurt; shielded against attack

nonchalant

(adjective) cool and confident, unconcerned

panacea

(noun) a remedy for all ills; cure-all; an answer to all problems

skulk

(verb) to move about stealthily; to lie in hiding

chivalrous

(adjective) marked by honor, courtesy, and courage; knightly

dearth

(noun) a lack, scarcity, inadequate supply; a famine

discrepancy

(noun) a difference; a lack of agreement

indomitable

(adjective) unconquerable, refusing to yield

infallible

(adjective) free from error; absolutely dependable

repose

(verb) to rest; lie; place; (noun) relaxation, peace of mind, calmness

truculent

(adjective) fierce and cruel; aggressive; deadly, destructive; scathingly harsh

virulent

(adjective) extremely poisonous; full of malice; spiteful

accede

(verb) to yield to; to assume an office or dignity

destitute

(adjective) deprived of the necessities of life; lacking in

extirpate

(verb) to tear up by the roots; to destroy totally

suppress

(verb) to stop by force, put down

venal

(adjective) open to or marked by bribery or corruption

martinet

(noun) a strict disciplinarian; a stickler for the rules

obviate

(verb) to anticipate and prevent; to remove, dispose of

renegade

(noun) one who leaves a group; a deserter, outlaw; (adjective) traitorous; unconventional, unorthodox

squalid

(adjective) filthy, wretched, debased

turbulent

(adjective) disorderly, riotous, violent; stormy

vociferous

(adjective) loud and noisy; compelling attention