Vocabulary Definitions

Cynical

Doubtful of human goodness; believing the worst of motives

Ambivalent

Having conflicting feelings; uncertain in decision-making

Demagogue

Leader who appeals to emotions to gain power

Demure

Quietly modest; shy in a playful manner

Intrepid

Fearless and brave; immune to intimidation

Destitute

Extremely poor; lacking basic necessities

Erudite

Scholarly; possessing profound knowledge

Dilemma

Choice between two difficult options

Culmination

Highest point of attainment; climax

Concur

Agree; have the same opinion

Abate

Lessen in intensity or violence

Decorum

Conformity to accepted conduct standards

Abhor

Strongly hate or detest

Dole

Distribute sparingly; give out in small portions

Gamut

Complete range or extent

Extrovert

Outgoing person; energized by social interactions

Droll

Amusing in an odd or whimsical way

Duplicity

Intentional deceit in speech or conduct

Effigy

Crude image representing a hated person or group

Austere

Stern; severe; plain

Emulate

Strive to be equal to; imitate

Sere

Dry and withered; lacking moisture

Enhance

Increase the value or beauty of something

Contrite

Feeling regret for wrongdoing; repentant

Acrimony

Ill-natured, bitter hostility

Dour

Stern and ill-humored

Exult

To rejoice; feel triumphant

Omniscient

Having unlimited knowledge

Feasible

Reasonable; capable of being carried out

Fiasco

A complete, ridiculous failure

Metier

One's specialty or well-suited work

Fluctuate

To rise and fall irregularly

Harry

To annoy or harass continually

Incognito

Disguised; pretending not to be oneself

Lethargy

Lack of energy; sluggishness

Epistle

A letter or literary composition in letter form

Avid

Enthusiastic; extremely interested

Gadfly

An irritating and persistent person

Humility

Absence of vanity and arrogance

Dolorous

Exhibiting sorrow or pain

Gargantuan

Of huge or extraordinary size and power

Arduous

Difficult; requiring much effort

Affable

Friendly; easy to talk to

Grandiloquent

Pompous or high-flown in speech

Agrarian

Concerning farms, farmers, or rural matters

Grimace

Facial expression of fear, disapproval, or pain

Harangue

A long, strongly expressed speech or lecture

Formidable

Arousing fear or awe; extremely impressive

Sycophant

A flatterer; one who fawns on others

Explicit

Clearly and openly stated; leaving nothing to the imagination

Altercation

A heated argument; a noisy quarrel

Lexicon

A dictionary or specialized vocabulary

Hue

A particular shade of a given color

Galvanize

To startle into sudden activity; stimulate

Sanction

Permission; support

Hyperbole

Extreme exaggeration for effect

Ominous

Threatening; foreboding evil

Audacity

Rude or aggressive boldness

Evince

To demonstrate clearly; prove

Implacable

Unable to be appeased or pacified

Exhort

To urge on with stirring words

Incarcerate

To put into prison; confine

Incisive

Sharp; cutting straight to the heart of the matter

Expedient

Practical; providing immediate advantage

Pertinent

Having to do with the subject at hand