LESSON 1 EXERCISE VERBAL

tentative

(adj) not certain or fully decided

prohibitive

(adj) too expensive to afford

supplementary

(adj) added to complete something

negligible

(adj) too small to matter

lavishly funded

(adj) provided with abundant financial support

sanguine

(adj) optimistic and confident

pensive

(adj) thinking in a quiet way, often with a serious expression

morose

(adj) gloomy and unhappy

ambivalent

(adj) having two opposing feelings at the same time

elucidate

(v) make clear; explain

laud

(v) praise highly

impugn

(v) question the truth or integrity of

promulgate

(v) officially announce

reciprocal

(adj) mutual; shared by both sides

tenuous

(adj) weak or not well supported

definitive

(adj) final and conclusive

skirmish

(n) a small fight or conflict

relinquish

(v) give up voluntarily

delegate

(v) assign responsibility to another

tangible

(adj) real and able to be touched

adherence

(n) obedience; following rules

admonish

(v) warn or criticize gently

renounce

(v) formally give up

utilitarian

(adj) focused on usefulness

pragmatic

(adj) practical and realistic

perpetual

(adj) continuing forever

illusory

(adj) based on illusion; not real

sanction

(n) penalty for breaking rules

attrition

(n) gradual reduction over time

stipulation

(n) a required condition

consolidation

(n) combining into a stronger whole

scrutinize

(v) examine very carefully

undermine

(v) weaken gradually

idealize

(v) view as perfect

pretentious

(adj) trying to seem more important than reality

insightful

(adj) showing deep understanding

ambiguous

(adj) unclear; having multiple meanings

derogatory

(adj) insulting or disrespectful

esteemed

(adj) respected and admired

outmoded

(adj) old-fashioned; no longer useful

intricate

(adj) very detailed and complex

discretion

(n) careful judgment/keeping information secret

capacity

(n) ability; maximum amount

disposition

(n) usual mood or character

demeanor

(n) outward behavior or manner

transient

(adj) temporary; short-lived

momentous

(adj) very important

speculative

(adj) based on guesses rather than facts

congregate

(v) to come together in a large group of people or animals

dispense

(v) distribute or provide

indoctrinate

(v) repeat an idea or belief to someone until they accept it without criticism or question:

escalate

(v) become more serious

misconstrue

(v) interpret wrongly

disregard

(v) ignore deliberately

embellish

(v) add details to make better

stymie

(v) prevent progress

galvanize

(v) motivate into action

placate

(v) calm someone down

condemn

(v) express strong disapproval

ostracize

(v) exclude from a group

vindicate

(v) to prove that someone is not guilty or is free from blame

unpalatable

(adj) unpleasant or difficult to accept

impeccable

(adj) flawless; perfect