Common words 7 and Basic 1

opprobrium

noun: harsh criticism or public disgrace

Due to the scandal, the politician faced intense public ***, with harsh criticism and condemnation filling the media, as citizens expressed their outrage and disappointment over the ethical breach.

divest

verb: to strip or rid of property or rights

I will *** my shares of the company because the business has had a rough year. Their profits went down, and I don't want to risk any more money on it.

epitome

noun: a perfect example of a quality or type

The movie was an *** of the director's vision, showcasing his unique style and storytelling techniques through stunning visuals and a captivating narrative that enthralled audiences.

articulate

adjective: able to express ideas clearly and effectively

He found it difficult to *** his thoughts during the meeting because he was nervous, but he knew the importance of communicating effectively with his colleagues.

implicit

adjective: implied though not directly stated

The subtle clues in her expression gave an *** understanding of the situation, and everyone knew without needing an explanation or words, that something was not right, it was obvious to all.

eulogy

noun: a speech praising someone who has died

The touching ***, filled with heartfelt memories and anecdotes, painted a vivid picture of the person's life, celebrating their kindness and the impact they had on others, leaving everyone deeply moved.

volatile

adjective: liable to change rapidly and unpredictably

The *** nature of the market made investors nervous, as they worried about the possibility of sudden and unpredictable changes. It caused them to re-evaluate their investments.

wary

adjective: cautious, not trusting

Years of being stuck in the loud and crowded shelter made the dog *** of other animals.

eloquent

adjective: fluent and persuasive

The lawyer's *** speech captivated the courtroom, as he skillfully presented his case, using persuasive language and clear arguments that resonated with the jury, leaving them thoroughly impressed.

aver

verb: to state or assert confidently

As he began to *** his point, the speaker realized that some audience members were losing interest. It became apparent that he needed to explain the situation, and the crowd began to listen.

connoisseur

noun: an expert judge in matters of taste

The restaurant critic, a true ***, savored the exquisite flavors of the dish. His discerning palate detected a hint of truffle, a whisper of citrus, and the perfect balance.

circumspect

adjective: careful to consider all circumstances; cautious

The detective, a *** individual, approached the crime scene cautiously, carefully examining every detail. His goal was to solve the case, understanding all clues.

onerous

adjective: burdensome; difficult to bear

The task proved ***, requiring a lot of effort. Despite the difficulty, completing it successfully brought immense satisfaction. I found the project's demands challenging, but the reward made the hard work worthwhile.

lavish

adjective: more than is needed; very fancy

Fido's birthday feast was ***; most guests thought that a dog would not be able to appreciate the bits of gold in his steak-flavored ice cream.

tacit

adjective: understood without being spoken

Because she was *** about her feelings, we never knew what she thought. We can’t guess what she feels, as she keeps her thoughts secret.

adulterate

verb: to make something impure by adding inferior substances

The chef was careful to *** the recipe with a pinch of salt, as he knew the customers would taste a big difference in the flavor of the soup.

desiccate

verb: to dry out completely

The farmer hoped the sun would dry the plants, but the weather was very humid. Sadly, the crops started to ***, so he quickly needed to find a solution to save his harvest.

guile

noun: craftiness

Little Timmy was full of ***, often telling his mommy someone was at the door--then, when her back was turned, he would raid the chocolate stash.

propriety

noun: conformity to accepted standards; correctness

She always behaved with ***, never gossiping or causing any trouble, because she knew that her reputation was important for her career, and she wanted to be seen as professional.

tenuous

adjective: very weak or slight

The fragile bridge, its structure ***, swayed precariously in the wind, and the hikers worried about the integrity of its supports, as they were uncertain whether it would hold.

clamor

noun: a loud and continuous noise

The loud *** of the crowd was almost unbearable, as everyone was screaming and shouting, hoping to get the attention of the performers who were on the stage.

intractable

adjective: hard to manage or solve

The complex problem proved *** for the team; they struggled to find a solution. Despite their efforts, the issue persisted, and other attempts failed.

inconsequential

adjective: not important or significant

The movie's plot was *** to the overall themes, as the director focused on the visuals and atmosphere rather than a deep, meaningful story, and the audience was left confused.

loquacious

adjective: very talkative

The student, usually ***, was unusually quiet during the exam. Perhaps the difficult questions and the pressure to perform well had caused them to lose their words.

explicit

adjective: stated clearly and in detail

The instructions are ***; I need to be direct and clear. I want to finish the work and get some ice cream. After this, I can watch a movie and relax before I go to bed tonight.

compliant

adjective: willing to obey rules or requests

The store's new policy made many customers ***, but some still found ways to bend the rules.

alleviate

verb: to ease or lessen pain or trouble

To *** the pain in her leg, she took a pill. The medicine, which was supposed to help, didn't work very well. Now, she thinks that she may need to see a doctor.

indeterminate

adjective: not exactly known, decided, or fixed

The investigation into the mysterious disappearance of the ancient artifact yielded a surprising result: the evidence remained ***, leaving the investigators puzzled and uncertain about the truth.

plethora

noun: large or excessive amount

With a *** of options, the couple felt overwhelmed. They debated between a beach vacation, a mountain getaway, or a city adventure. Ultimately, they wanted something relaxing.

facilitate

verb: to make easier

Classical music, unlike many types of music, will generally *** learning and improve memory.

zealous

adjective: showing great energy or enthusiasm

The *** student was excited to learn about new topics, but the teacher knew they needed to slow down and understand each subject before moving ahead.

approbation

noun: official approval or praise

I was hoping for some kind of *** after finishing the project, but it appears my boss doesn't care. He is always busy with other tasks.

overt

adjective: not secret or hidden

The disagreement between the neighbors grew from quiet, angry looks to *** hatred as they began throwing eggs at each other's houses.

nascent

adjective: just coming into existence; beginning to develop

Because of the *** technology, the company needed more time to fully develop its product to meet the demands of its consumers.

partisan

adjective: strongly supporting one side

The biased group's actions were viewed as ***, favoring their own members over others. This led to intense disagreements, as some felt the decisions were unfair to those who didn't belong.

veracity

noun: truthfulness and accuracy

Due to the high degree of truthfulness, the detective found it easy to find the criminal, because the witness gave *** to the court.

deterrent

noun: something that discourages action

The police presence served as a ***, making potential criminals reconsider their actions. They knew the risks of getting caught were high with officers nearby, discouraging any illegal behavior.

paradox

noun: a situation that seems impossible because it is made of opposite things

When he first arrived in the desert, Alex did not believe the *** that drinking hot tea could make a person feel cool.

abate

verb: to become less intense or widespread

The rain began to *** as the storm moved eastward, allowing the sun to peek through the clouds and illuminate the colorful flowers in the garden, bringing joy.

homogeneous

adjective: of the same or similar kind

The scientific study was ***, with all participants sharing similar backgrounds, which unfortunately limited the diversity of perspectives and viewpoints within the research findings.

acumen

noun: keen insight and quick judgment

Her business *** was evident when she turned a small, struggling company into a profitable enterprise within just two years, demonstrating a keen understanding of the market and strategic decision-making.

verbose

adjective: using more words than necessary

The lengthy speech of the *** man at the town hall meeting, filled with unnecessary details and complex terminology, made it difficult for the audience to understand his main points, and many people were left feeling confused.

covert

adjective: secret or hidden

The attack was intended to be ***, but before it could begin, the entire plan was revealed to the target.

tangential

adjective: only slightly related to the main point

The professor's *** remarks about the history of the printing press were interesting, but they did not directly relate to the main topic of our discussion on modern technology.

chicanery

noun: use of trickery to achieve a purpose

Due to the politician's ***, the public lost faith in the government. The lies and deception led many citizens to doubt the intentions and honesty of their leaders.

gullible

adjective: easily deceived

Although he was very ***, the old man was always happy to help his neighbors. His kindness made up for the fact that he was easily tricked by others.

efficacy

noun: the ability to produce the desired effect

The drug's *** in treating the illness was remarkable. Doctors observed the significant positive impact of the medication on patients, noting a swift reduction in the severity of symptoms and a general improvement in their condition.

fervid

adjective: intensely passionate

The ardent speeches from the politician were always filled with *** language, captivating the audience with passionate calls to action, even though some felt the promises were exaggerated.

dissent

verb: to disagree with authority

Amidst the heated debate, a wave of *** surged, with many people openly disagreeing with the proposed changes, their voices echoing with disapproval and a determination to protect their beliefs.

bombastic

adjective: high‑sounding but with little meaning; inflated

The *** speaker used exaggerated language, making grand pronouncements that seemed designed more to impress the audience than to communicate actual information or substance.

pinnacle

noun: the highest point

At its ***, the Roman Empire extended across most of the landmass of Eurasia, a feat not paralleled to the rise of the British Empire in the 18th and 19th century.

err

verb: to make an error

He *** in thinking that "indigent" and "indignant" were synonyms.

unnerve

verb: to make nervous or upset

At one time *** by math problems, she began avidly studying, and soon became adept at even combinations and permutations questions.

indict

verb: to formally charge or accuse of wrong-doing

The bank robber was *** on several major charges, including possession of a firearm.

erratic

adjective: unpredictable; strange and unconventional

It came as no surprise to pundits that the President’s attempt at re-election floundered; even during his term, support for his policies was ***, with an approval rating jumping anywhere from 30 to 60 percent.

macabre

adjective: suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome

Edgar Allen Poe was considered the master of the ***; his stories vividly describe the moment leading up to—and often those moments after—a grisly death.

reprobate

noun: a person without morals who is disapproved of

Mr. Smith’s two boys couldn’t be more different; one was a hard-working and principled, the other was the town ***, always having run-ins with the law.

stipend

noun: a regular allowance (of money)

He was hoping for a monthly allowance loan from the government, but after no such *** was forthcoming he realized he would have to seek other means of paying for his college tuition.

profuse

adjective: plentiful; pouring out in abundance

During mile 20 of the Hawaii Marathon, Dwayne was sweating so *** that he stopped to take off his shirt, and ran the remaining six miles wearing nothing more than skimpy shorts.

thrifty

adjective: spending money wisely

He was economical, spending his money *** and on items considered essential.

telltale

adjective: revealing

The many *** signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth, and a persistent, hacking cough.

dog

verb: to pursue relentlessly; to hound

Throughout his life, he was *** by insecurities that inhibited personal growth.

tirade

noun: an angry speech

In terms of political change, a *** oftentimes does little more than make the person speaking red in the face.

peruse

verb: to read very carefully

Instead of *** important documents, people all too often rush to the bottom of the page and plaster their signatures at the bottom.

affluent

adjective: wealthy

The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury, while, only five miles away, multi-million dollar homes spoke of ***.

demure

adjective: to be modest and shy

The portrait of her in a simple white blouse was sweet and ***.

underwrite

verb: to support financially

The latest symphony broadcast was made possible with *** from the Carnegie Endowment.

retiring

adjective: to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company

Nelson was always the first to leave soirees—rather than mill about with “fashionable” folk, he was ***, and preferred the solitude of his garret.

thoroughgoing

adjective: very thorough; complete

As a *** bibliophile, one who had turned his house into a veritable library, he shocked his friends when he bought a Kindle.

insolvent

adjective: unable to pay one's bills; bankrupt

With credit card bills skyrocketing, a shockingly large number of Americans are truly ***.

affable

adjective: likeable; easy to talk to

For all his surface ***, Marco was remarkably glum when he wasn’t around other people.

hound

verb: to pursue relentlessly

An implacable foe of corruption, Eliot Ness *** out graft in all forms—he even helped nab Al Capone.

vindictive

adjective: to have a very strong desire for revenge

Though the other girl had only lightly poked fun of Vanessa's choice in attire, Vanessa was so *** that she waited for an entire semester to get the perfect revenge.

demean

verb: to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respect

At first the soccer players bantered back and forth, but as soon as one of the players became ***, calling the other's mother a water buffalo, the ref whipped out a red card.

amiable

adjective: friendly

Amy’s name was very apt: she was so *** that she was twice voted class president.

serendipity

noun: the instance in which an accidental, fortunate discovery is made

By pure ***, Sarah discovered, at a flea market in Peoria, a matching earring to replace the one that fell down the storm drain back home.

screed

noun: an abusive rant (often tedious)

Joey had difficulty hanging out with his former best friend Perry, who, during his entire cup of coffee, enumerated all of the government’s deficiencies--only to break ranks and launch into some *** against big business.

tender

verb: offer up something formally

The government was loath to *** more money in the fear that it might set off inflation.

candid

adjective: straightforward and honest

Even with a perfect stranger, Charles was always *** and would rarely hold anything back.

voracious

adjective: very hungry; approaching an activity with gusto

Steven was a *** reader, sometimes finishing two novels in the same day.

inflammatory

adjective: extremely controversial, incendiary

It only takes one person to leave an *** comment on an Internet thread for that thread to blow up into pages upon pages of reader indignation.

spendthrift

noun: one who spends money extravagantly

Taking weekly trips to Vegas, Megan was a *** whose excesses eventually caught up to her.

zenith

noun: the highest point; culmination

At the *** of his artistic career, Elvis was outselling any other artist on the charts.

indigenous

adjective: originating in a certain area

The plants and animals *** to Australia are notably different from those *** to the U.S—one look at a duckbill platypus and you know you’re not dealing with an opossum.

mesmerize

verb: to spellbind or enthrall

The plot and the characters were so well developed that many viewers were ***, unable to move their eyes from the screen for even a single second.

remiss

adjective: to be negligent in one’s duty

*** in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently, the principal was relieved of his position after only three months.

telling

adjective: significant and revealing of another factor

Her unbecoming dress was very *** when it came to her sense of fashion.

inundate

verb: to flood or overwhelm

The newsroom was *** with false reports that only made it more difficult for the newscasters to provide an objective account of the bank robbery.

dupe

verb: to trick or swindle

Once again a get-rich-fast Internet scheme had *** Harold into submitting a $5,000 check to a sham operation.

noun: a person who is easily tricked or swindled

The charlatan mistook the crowd for a bunch of ***, but the crowd was quickly on to him and decried his bald-faced attempt to bilk them.

pine

verb: to yearn for

Standing forlornly by the window, she *** for her lost love.

acme

noun: the highest point of achievement

The new Cessna airplanes will be the *** of comfort, offering reclining seats and ample legroom.

diabolical

adjective: to be extremely wicked like the devil

The conspirators, willing to dispatch anyone who stood in their way, hatched a *** plan to take over the city.

variance

noun: the quality of being different

The cynic quipped, “There is not much *** in politicians; they all seem to lie”.

embroiled

verb: involved in argument or contention

These days we are never short of a D.C. politician *** in scandal—a welcome phenomenon for those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio, can sink their teeth into a fresh one.

summit

noun: the peak or highest point

After hiking for seven days, the climbers finally reached the *** of Mount Kilimanjaro.

noun: a meeting of high-level leaders

Since climate change policy has been mired in congressional fighting, this *** should help set the goals for president's next term.

censor

verb: to examine and remove objectionable material

Every fall, high school English teachers are inundated by requests to *** their curriculum by removing The Catcher in the Rye and Scarlet Letter from their reading lists.

noun: an official who censors material

The *** insisted that every reference to drugs should be removed from the manuscript.

miser

noun: a person who doesn't like to spend money (because they are greedy)

Monte was no ***, but was simply frugal, wisely spending the little that he earned.

slapdash

adjective: carelessly and hastily put together

The office building had been constructed in a *** manner, so it did not surprise officials when, during a small earthquake, a large crack emerged on the façade of the building.

bleak

adjective: having a depressing or gloomy outlook

Unremitting overcast skies tend to lead people to create *** literature and lugubrious music — compare England’s band Radiohead to any band from Southern California.

indignant

indignant

adjective: feeling anger over a perceived injustice

When the cyclist swerved into traffic, it forced the driver to brake and elicited an *** shout of "Hey, punk, watch where you're going!"