summer words

Abash

To make someone feel embarrassed or ashamed. S = embarrass

Abstemious

Not eating, drinking, or using too much of something. S = Moderate

Abyss

A very deep or seemingly endless hole. S = Chasm

Altruistic

Caring about and helping others without expecting anything back. S = Selfless

Amalgamate

To combine different things into one. S = Merge

Assailable

Able to be attacked, challenged, or criticized. S = Vulnerable

Auspicious

Showing signs that something will probably go well. S = promising

Aviary

A large cage or enclosed place where birds are kept. S = Birdhouse

Bellicose

Acting aggressive and wanting to fight. S = Aggressive

Berate

To angrily criticize or yell at someone. S = Scold

Bizarre

Very strange or unusual. S = Weird

Bravado

Acting extra confident or tough, sometimes to hide fear. S = swagger

Cacophony

A loud, unpleasant mixture of different sounds. S = Racket

Cajole

To persuade someone by talking to them nicely or repeatedly. S = Coax

Chagrin

Embarrassment or disappointment because something went wrong. S = Humiliation

Cognizant

Being aware of or knowing about something. S = Aware

Commiserate

To show sympathy for someone who is upset or having a hard time. S = Sympathize

Consolidate

To combine things together into one stronger or more organized whole. S = Unite

Copious

Existing in a very large amount. S = Abundant

Correlate

To show that two things are connected or related. S = Relate

Crass

Rude and showing little respect or sensitivity. S = Rude

Debility

Physical weakness or lack of strength. S = Weakness

Desecrate

To damage or disrespect something considered sacred or important. S = Violate

Dialect

A form of a language spoken by people from a particular area or group. S = Vernacular

Disparage

To speak about someone or something in a disrespectful or negative way. S = Belittle

Dregs

The worst or unwanted parts left after everything good is gone. S = Remains

Dubious

Doubtful or not completely trustworthy. S = Questionable

Enigma

Something or someone that is mysterious and difficult to understand. S = Mystery

Enmity

Strong hatred or hostility between people or groups. S = Hostility

Ephemeral

Lasting for only a very short time. S = Temporary

Exacerbate

To make a problem worse. S: worsen

Fortuitous

Happening by lucky chance. S: Lucky

Hackneyed

used so much that it’s no longer original. S: Clichéd

Eulogy

A speech that praises someone, usually after they die. S: tribute

Flippant

Not showing enough seriousness or respect. S:Disrespectful

Fortitude

Courage and strength during something difficult. S: courage

Fruition

The point when a plan or idea finally becomes real or successful. S: completion

Heckler

Someone who interrupts a speaker by yelling or making rude comments. S: harasser

Histrionic

Overly dramatic or emotional to get attention. S: dramatic

Idiosyncrasy

A strange or unique habit that someone has. S: Quirk

Impugn

To question or attack someone’s honesty or character. S: challenge

Infirmity

Physical or mental weakness, especially from age or illness. S: weakness

Inimitable

So unique or good that it cannot be copied. S: unmatchable

Iniquitous

Very evil or unfair. S: wicked

Irascible

Easily angered or annoyed. S: irritable

Lugubrious

Looking or sounding very sad and gloomy. S: mournful

Maudlin

Overly emotional or sentimental, especially in a sad way. S: sentimental

Menial

A boring, low-level job that requires little skill. S: unskilled

Mentor

An experienced person who guides or advises someone. S: adviser

Nepotism

Giving jobs or advantages to your family instead of choosing fairly. S: favoritism

Officious

Annoyingly trying to control or help when nobody asked you to. S: Meddlesome

Panacea

Something believed to solve every problem. S: Cure-all

Pariah

Someone who is rejected or avoided by a group. S: Outcast

Perennial

Lasting for a long time or happening again and again. S: Enduring

Perplexity

A state of being confused. S: confusion

Philistine

A person who doesn’t appreciate art, culture, or intellectual things. S: uncultured

Pithy

Short but meaningful and effective. S: concise

Precipice

The steep edge of a cliff. S: cliff

Prolific

Producing a lot of something. S: Productive

Propensity

A natural tendency to behave a certain way. S: tendency

Recoil

To suddenly move back, especially from fear, shock, or force. S: flinch

Redundant

Unnecessary because it repeats something already said or done. S: repetitive

Ruse

A trick used to fool someone. S: trick

Salient

The most noticeable or important. S: prominent

Seditious

Encouraging rebellion against the government or authority. S: rebellious

Sporadic

Happening sometimes, but not regularly. S: occasional

Subservient

Too willing to obey or serve someone else. S: submissive

Sumptuous

very expensive, luxurious, or impressive. S: Luxurious

Sycophantic

Overly praising someone important to gain an advantage. S: flattering

Tawny

A yellowish-brown color. S: tan

Tenacious

Not giving up easily. S: persistent

Tirade

A long, angry speech criticizing someone or something. S: rant

Unbridled

Not controlled or limited. S: unrestrained

Viable

Able to work successfully. S: workable

Volatile

Likely to change suddenly or become dangerous quickly. S: unstable