Vocab

2025

reprehensible

deserving to be severely criticized

lethargic

dull; sluggish; moving slowly

pulpit

a podium used for preaching

edible

able to be eaten

artifact

an object produced by human work, especially one of historical or archaeological interest

quiver

to shake; to tremble from fear or cold

languish

to lose strength or health; to remain neglected

collaborate

to work together, especially at an intellectual effort

utopia

an ideally perfect place

turbid

cloudy; moddy; in a state of turmoil

altruistic

unselfish; benevolent (kind); caring more for others than oneself

delve

to look for; to search; to investigate (usually with “into”)

recede

to go back; to withdraw

avocation

a hobby

patron

a sponsor; a supporter; a regular customer

raiment

clothing

vindictive

seeking revenge; marked by a desire to hurt

penitent

feeling regret

exude

to give off; to emit; to radiate

conducive

tending to bring about

feral

existing in a wild or untamed state

immortal

deathless

conspicuous

easy to notice; obvious; apparent

bellow

to yell very loudly; to shout

pervade

to spread through or be present through-out

deference

yielding an opinion, desire, or position to another out of respect

salient

important, prominent, most noticeable

unseemly

not decent or proper

remorse

sadness or regret for what one has done

mercenary

greedy; motivated by desire for money

fetid

having a bad color

drab

dull or dreary; monotonous

prodigal

exceedingly or recklessly wasteful

patronize

to sponsor or support; to be kind or helpful in a snobbish way, as if dealing with an inferior

plausible

appearing worthy of belief or trust

allure

the power to attract with something desirable

lenient

inclined not to be strict

pertinent

relevant

serene

calm and peaceful

indubitable

certain; indisputable (literally “not doubtable”)

inaugurate

to formally bring into office at the beginning of a term

covert

concealed or disguised; not openly practiced

solace

comfort in a time of distress

insidious

subtly harmful; stealthy, sneaky

atrophy

wasting, especially of body tissue

altercation

a heated or noisy argument

foment

to stir up negative feelings, especially those that lead to violent action

purloin

to steal, often in violation of a trust

caesura

a break or pause

acquiesce

to agree without protest

conscientious

showing care and precision; painstaking

erass

dull-witted; unrefined

impart

to give a portion of; to make known

spendthrift

one who spends money wastefully

tabulate

to count

adroit

naturally skillful, especially dealing with difficult circumstances

dexterous

skillful with the hands or mind

redolent

aromatic; fragrant; suggestive

foreboding

a sense of impending evil, especially one without definite cause

denouement

a conclusion; resolution; the falling action of a story after its climax

subsidy

monetary assistance

prevalent

dominant; widespread

incumbent

necessary or obligatory; a person who currently holds a particular position

mimic

to copy closely, especially with intent to ridicule

beacon

signaling light; source of guidance or inspiration

supplant

to take the place of

scythe

a long-handled, bladed instrument used for harvesting crops

shard

a fragment of a brittle substance; a small piece of something

wayward

stubbornly going against what is expected or required in order to satisfy one’s own desires

effrontery

bold and insulting behavior

vagary

an erratic (irregular) notion or action

agile

quick and easy in movement; mentally alert

glut

an oversupply

cursory

superficially done; performed rapidly

spura

to push or drive away contemptuously wish or as with the foot