Advanced Vocabulary: Definitions and Usage of Key Words

futile

useless; incapable of producing results

prodigious

huge; impressive in size or degree

judiciously

done with good judgment or sense

lucid

clear and easy to understand

fidelity

faithfulness; loyalty

pious

deeply religious

augmented

increased or made larger

superfluous

unnecessary; extra

exemplified

shown or illustrated by example

awry

off course; not as expected

discerned

recognized or noticed clearly

incensed

very angry; enraged

parody

a humorous imitation

archetype

the original model; perfect example

specious

seemingly true but actually false

condoned

accepted or allowed (something bad)

belie

to contradict or give a false impression

acutely

sharply or intensely

heresy

belief against accepted doctrine

infamous

famous for something bad

malaise

a feeling of unease

affably

in a friendly manner

affluent

wealthy

abashed

embarrassed

assuage

to relieve or lessen

beset

to surround or trouble

fervor

intense passion

absolute

total; complete

ambience

mood or atmosphere

amorous

showing romantic desire

flout

to openly disobey or mock

vindictive

revengeful

mercenary

motivated only by money

deference

respectful yielding

cynical

believing people act selfishly

milieu

environment; surroundings

portent

a sign of something to come

spurious

false; not genuine

guile

slyness; cunning

mercenaries

people who fight for money

portents

signs or warnings

dilettantes

amateurs without real skill

bastions

strongholds; protected places

palliate

to ease or make less severe