Studied by 118 people
Abate
To reduce in intensity; to lessen
Abet
To support or encourage
Abhor
To hate something
Abnegate
To deny or to give up the right or privilege to something
Abscond
To escape, run away, or let go of something
Advocate
To support or argue for a cause
Allue
To refer to something indirectly; commonly used in literature
Ambiguity
Something that can be understood or interpreted in more than one manner
Analogy
A comparison of two otherwise unalike things based on resemblance of a particular aspect; widely used in literature
Apprehend
To arrest someone recognize the meaning of an idea or a thing
Articulate
To explain something clearly
Bane
Something capable of causing destruction or ruin
Bereft
Lacking something needed, wanted, or expected; a person grieving the death of a loved one
Bias
To possess an inclined outlook towards an object or an idea
Berate
To scold someone strongly
Brevity
Something or event that is short in length or duration
Cache
A secure place that is used to store objects secretly
Capitalize
To profit from a resource or an opportunity
Capitulate
To surrender on terms agreed upon in advance
Credible
Something that can be trusted on the basis of logic or rationale
Corroborate
To support with evidence or authority
Complacent
Accepting something after being self
Construe
To construct or interpret meaning out of a sentence or words
Contentious
Inclined towards argument or dispute
Covet
to yearn to possess
Dearth
an inadequate supply; scarcity
Debunk
To expose the falseness of a fact
Defunct
no longer in effect or use; not operating or functioning
Didactic
Something that is intended to be taught
Delegate
A representative; to entrust work or responsibility to another person
Dispel
To drive away something (can also be a belief system or a myth)
Doctrine
Principles or rules that create a belief system
Dogma
a principle or set of principles laid down by an authority as incontrovertibly true
Eclectic
Composed of elements drawn from various sources; can be used to refer to a person who pursues an eclectic method or approach
Embezzle
To take something (usually money or property) dishonestly for one’s own use
Elicit
To draw out an answer or explanation often by skillful questioning or discussion
Empirical
based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic
Emulate
to match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation
Espouse
adopt or support (a cause, belief, or way of life)
Extort
To take something forcefully from a person
Expedite
To speed up the process or progress of an event
Extraneous
irrelevant or unrelated to the subject being dealt with.
Equivocal
having two or more possible meanings: ambiguous
Foil
prevent (something considered wrong or undesirable) from succeeding; thwart
Fallacy
a mistaken belief, especially one based on unsound argument
Fortuitous
Fortunate or lucky
Flagrant
So bad as to be impossible to overlook
Grandiloquent
pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner, especially in a way that is intended to impress.
Gratuitous
uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted
Hapless
Unfortunate
Hegemony
The social, cultural, ideological, or economic influence exerted by a dominant group
Heterogenous
Something originating from an outside source; something consisting of different elements from various sources
Hubris
excessive pride or self
Idiosyncrasy
a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual
Impetuous
acting or done quickly and without thought or care
Impute
To blame someone unjustly
Incumbent
necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility
Incite
encourage or stir up (violent or unlawful behavior)
Insurgent
Someone who revolts against civil authority or an established government; a rebel
Licentious
Someone who disregards moral, ethical, or legal restraints
Linchpin
a person or thing vital to an enterprise or organization
Litigate
To decide and settle in a court of law
Maxim
Universal truth, fundamental principle, or rule of conduct, or proverb
Multifarious
Many and of various types.
Nadir
The lowest point of something
Noxious
harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant
Opine
To put forth one’s point
Ostensible
To demonstrate or exhibit
Ostracism
The state of being outcasted or barred from a community or group
Paradigm
A typical example or pattern of something; a model
Partisan
A person who is strongly devoted to a particular cause or group
Pejorative
A word or phrase that has negative connotations (ex: loser)
Penchant
a strong or habitual liking for something or tendency to do something
Placid
Free of disturbance; calm
Prerogative
A right or privilege exclusive to a particular individual or class
Prompt
to give a cue to a person to help them focus on a specific topic, task, or purpose
Prosecute
To carry on a legal action against an accused person to prove his or her guilt; to follow up to the end
Quaint
Attractively unusual or old
Quixotic
Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical
Refute
To deny or disregard
Relegate
To send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition
Requisition
The act of requiring or demanding
Sanctity
The state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly
Sanctuary
A safe or a sacred place
Sanguine
Optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation
Serendipity
The gift of finding valuable or agreeable things not looked for
Solicit
To ask for or request
Spur
Impulsive; to move to action
Surreptitious
Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of
Tirade
A long, angry speech of criticism or accusation
Torpid
Lacking in energy or vigor
Torrent
A violent or forceful flow of wind or water
Travesty
An inferior imitation of something
Ubiquitous
Existing or being everywhere at the same time
Undermine
To weaken or ruin secretly or gradually
Utilitarian
Designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive
Veracity
Conformity to facts; accuracy
Vestige
trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists
Vilify
To utter slanderous and abusive statements against
Warrant
To give proof of the authenticity or truth of something
Note 
Flashcard (81)