(2) PowerScore Vocabulary (Hard - Extreme)

abstruse [əbˈstruːs]

difficult to understand; obscure. "The philosopher's ideas were too abstruse for most people." SYNONYM complex, complicated, obscure ANTONYM simple, clear, understandable

adulation [ˌædjuˈleɪʃn]

excessive admiration or flattery. "The rock star was overwhelmed by the adulation of his fans." SYNONYM flattery, praise, worship ANTONYM criticism, condemnation, censure

alacrity [əˈlækrɪti]

brisk and cheerful readiness. "She accepted the invitation with alacrity." SYNONYM eagerness, willingness, readiness ANTONYM reluctance, unwillingness, hesitation

ameliorate [əˈmiːljəreɪt]

make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better. "The medicine ameliorated her symptoms." SYNONYM improve, better, enhance ANTONYM worsen, deteriorate, decline

anachronistic [əˌnæk.rəˈnɪs.tɪk]

belonging to a period other than that in which something is set. "The sword fight in the futuristic movie was anachronistic." SYNONYM outdated, out-of-date, old-fashioned ANTONYM modern, up-to-date, contemporary

arboreal [ɑːrˈbɔːriəl]

of or relating to trees. "Monkeys are arboreal creatures." SYNONYM tree-dwelling, tree-climbing ANTONYM ground-dwelling

assiduous [əˈsɪdjuəs]

showing great care and perseverance. "She was assiduous in her studies." SYNONYM diligent, hardworking, industrious ANTONYM lazy, idle, careless

auspicious [ɔːˈspɪʃəs]

conducive to success; favorable. "The new venture had an auspicious start." SYNONYM favorable, promising, fortunate ANTONYM unfavorable, unlucky, inauspicious

austere [ɔːˈstɪər]

severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance. "The monk lived an austere life." SYNONYM strict, stern, severe ANTONYM lenient, indulgent, permissive

avarice [ˈævərɪs]

extreme greed for wealth or material gain. "His avarice led to his downfall." SYNONYM greed, covetousness, materialism ANTONYM generosity, altruism, selflessness

banal [bəˈnæl]

lacking originality, freshness, or excitement; dull. "The movie was banal and predictable." SYNONYM trite, commonplace, ordinary ANTONYM original, creative, imaginative

bombast [ˈbɒmbæst]

pompous or extravagant language or writing. "The politician's speech was full of bombast." SYNONYM pomposity, grandiloquence, rhetoric ANTONYM simplicity, plainness, modesty

castigate [ˈkæstɪɡeɪt]

reprimand (someone) severely. "The teacher castigated the student for cheating." SYNONYM rebuke, scold, criticize ANTONYM praise, commend, compliment

cataclysm [ˈkætəklɪzəm]

a large-scale disaster, such as a flood or earthquake. "The volcanic eruption was a cataclysmic event." SYNONYM catastrophe, disaster, calamity ANTONYM blessing, boon, windfall

cathartic [kəˈθɑːrtɪk]

providing psychological relief through the open expression of strong emotions. "Crying can be a cathartic experience." SYNONYM therapeutic, purifying, cleansing ANTONYM harmful, damaging, destructive

clandestine [klænˈdɛstɪn]

kept secret or done secretly, especially because illicit. "The lovers met clandestinely." SYNONYM secret, covert, furtive ANTONYM open, overt, public

conflagration [ˌkɒnfləˈɡreɪʃn]

a large destructive fire. "The forest fire was a major conflagration." SYNONYM fire, blaze, inferno ANTONYM deluge, flood, inundation

conscientious [ˌkɒnʃiˈɛnʃəs]

wishing to do one's work carefully and thoroughly. "She is a conscientious student." SYNONYM diligent, hardworking, careful ANTONYM careless, negligent, lazy

contrite [ˈkɒntrʌɪt]

feeling or expressing remorse at having done wrong. "He was contrite for his mistakes." SYNONYM remorseful, apologetic, repentant ANTONYM unrepentant, remorseless, impenitent

dalliance [ˈdæliəns]

a casual romantic relationship. "He had a brief dalliance with a younger woman." SYNONYM affair, fling, romance ANTONYM commitment, marriage, relationship

decorous [ˈdɛkərəs]

in keeping with good taste and propriety. "She was always decorous in her behavior." SYNONYM proper, polite, respectful ANTONYM improper, impolite, disrespectful

deleterious [ˌdɛlɪˈtɪəriəs]

causing harm or damage. "Smoking has a deleterious effect on health." SYNONYM harmful, damaging, injurious ANTONYM beneficial, helpful, advantageous

denigrate [ˈdɛnɪɡreɪt]

criticize harshly or unfairly. "He denigrated his opponent's character." SYNONYM belittle, disparage, slander ANTONYM praise, commend, extol

didactic [daɪˈdæktɪk]

intended to teach, particularly in a formal, serious manner. "The novel had a didactic tone." SYNONYM instructive, educational, informative ANTONYM entertaining, amusing, diverting

dilatory [ˈdɪlətəri]

tending to delay or procrastinate. "She was dilatory in paying her bills." SYNONYM slow, tardy, sluggish ANTONYM prompt, quick, speedy

disseminate [dɪˈsɛmɪneɪt]

spread (something, especially information) widely. "The news was disseminated quickly." SYNONYM spread, distribute, circulate ANTONYM conceal, hide, suppress

ebullient [ɪˈbʌljənt]

cheerful and full of energy. "She was ebullient and full of life." SYNONYM cheerful, exuberant, enthusiastic ANTONYM gloomy, depressed, morose

eclectic [ɪˈklɛktɪk]

deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. "Her taste in music was eclectic." SYNONYM diverse, varied, mixed, heterogeneous, assorted, miscellaneous ANTONYM uniform, homogeneous, similar

efficacious [ˌɛfɪˈkeɪʃəs]

successful in producing a desired or intended result. "The medication was efficacious in treating the illness." SYNONYM effective, potent, powerful ANTONYM ineffective, powerless, impotent

eminent [ˈɛmɪnənt]

famous and respected in a particular profession or activity. "She is an eminent scientist." SYNONYM distinguished, notable, renowned ANTONYM obscure, unknown, unimportant

empirical [ɪmˈpɪrɪkəl]

based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic. "The study was based on empirical evidence." SYNONYM experimental, observational, factual ANTONYM theoretical, hypothetical, conjectural

enervated /ˈenəveɪt/

drained of energy or vitality. "The heat enervated him." SYNONYM weakened, fatigued, exhausted ANTONYM energized, invigorated, revitalized

enigma [ɪˈnɪɡmə]

a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand. "She was an enigma to her friends." SYNONYM mystery, puzzle, riddle ANTONYM clarity, obviousness, transparency

equanimity [ˌɛkwəˈnɪmɪti]

calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation. "She faced the crisis with equanimity." SYNONYM calmness, composure, serenity ANTONYM anxiety, nervousness, agitation

equivocate [ɪˈkwɪvəkeɪt]

use ambiguous language so as to conceal the truth or avoid committing oneself. "The politician equivocated when asked about his stance on the issue." SYNONYM hedge, prevaricate, waffle ANTONYM be direct, be straightforward, be honest

esoteric [ˌɛsəˈtɛrɪk]

intended for or understood by only a small group. "The book was full of esoteric references." SYNONYM obscure, arcane, abstruse ANTONYM popular, mainstream, common

espouse [ɪˈspaʊz]

adopt or support (a cause, belief, way of life, etc.). "He espoused the cause of animal rights." SYNONYM support, advocate, champion ANTONYM oppose, reject, repudiate

evanescent [ˌɛvəˈnɛsnt]

fading or disappearing quickly. "The beauty of the sunset was evanescent." SYNONYM fleeting, transitory, ephemeral ANTONYM permanent, enduring, lasting

exonerate [ɪɡˈzɒnəreɪt]

absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing. "The evidence exonerated the suspect." SYNONYM acquit, clear, vindicate ANTONYM convict, incriminate, blame

exorbitant [ɪɡˈzɔːrbɪtənt]

unreasonably high. "The prices at the hotel were exorbitant." SYNONYM excessive, exorbitant, extravagant ANTONYM reasonable, affordable, cheap

exuberant [ɪɡˈzjuːbərənt]

cheerful and full of energy. "She was exuberant and full of life." SYNONYM cheerful, enthusiastic, lively ANTONYM gloomy, depressed, downcast

facetious [fəˈseɪʃəs]

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor. "His facetious remarks offended some people." SYNONYM humorous, witty, jokey ANTONYM serious, solemn, grave

fastidious [fæsˈtɪdiəs]

very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail. "She is a fastidious housekeeper." SYNONYM meticulous, precise, careful ANTONYM careless, sloppy, negligent

felicity [fəˈlɪsɪti]

intense happiness. "She felt a sense of felicity." SYNONYM happiness, joy, bliss ANTONYM unhappiness, misery, sorrow

garrulous [ˈɡærələs]

excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters. "He was a garrulous old man." SYNONYM talkative, chatty, loquacious ANTONYM silent, quiet, taciturn

gratuitous [ɡrəˈtuːɪtəs]

uncalled for; unwarranted. "His comments were gratuitous and hurtful." SYNONYM unnecessary, unwarranted, unjustified ANTONYM necessary, essential, required

gregarious [ɡrɪˈɡɛəriəs]

fond of company; sociable. "She is a gregarious person who loves to socialize." SYNONYM sociable, outgoing, extroverted ANTONYM solitary, unsociable, introverted

hackneyed [ˈhæknid]

(of a phrase or idea) overused and stale. "The phrase "as old as time" is hackneyed." SYNONYM clichéd, trite, commonplace ANTONYM original, fresh, new

harangue [həˈræŋ]

a lengthy and aggressive speech. "The politician delivered a long harangue against his opponent." SYNONYM tirade, rant, diatribe ANTONYM praise, commendation, compliment

impervious [ɪmˈpɜːrvɪəs]

incapable of being affected by. "He was impervious to criticism." SYNONYM immune, resistant, unaffected ANTONYM susceptible, vulnerable, impressionable

impugn [ɪmˈpjuːn]

dispute the truth, validity, or honesty of (a statement or person). "He impugned the senator's integrity." SYNONYM challenge, question, doubt ANTONYM affirm, confirm, endorse

incongruity [ɪn.kənˈɡruː.ə.ti]

the state of being incongruous. "There was an incongruity between her words and her actions." SYNONYM inconsistency, discrepancy, disparity ANTONYM consistency, agreement, harmony

incorrigible [ɪnˈkɒrɪdʒəbl]

(of a person or habit) not able to be corrected or improved. "He was an incorrigible liar." SYNONYM incurable, irredeemable, hopeless ANTONYM correctable, improvable, reformable

indigenous [ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs]

originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native. "The koala is indigenous to Australia." SYNONYM native, aboriginal, endemic ANTONYM foreign, alien, exotic

ineffable [ɪˈnɛfəbl]

too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words. "The beauty of the sunset was ineffable." SYNONYM indescribable, inexpressible, unutterable ANTONYM describable, expressible, utterable

innocuous [ɪˈnɒkjuəs]

not harmful or offensive. "His joke was innocuous." SYNONYM harmless, innocent, inoffensive ANTONYM harmful, dangerous, hurtful

insipid [ɪnˈsɪpɪd]

lacking flavor or interest. "The food was insipid and bland." SYNONYM tasteless, bland, flavorless ANTONYM flavorful, tasty, delicious

insolence [ˈɪnsələns]

rude and disrespectful behavior. "He was punished for his insolence." SYNONYM rudeness, impudence, impertinence ANTONYM politeness, courtesy, respect

intransigent [ɪnˈtrænsɪdʒənt]

unwilling to compromise or change one's mind. "She was intransigent in her demands." SYNONYM inflexible, stubborn, obstinate ANTONYM flexible, adaptable, compromising

juxtapose [ˈdʒʌkstəpoʊz]

place or deal with close together or side by side, especially for contrast or comparison. "The two paintings were juxtaposed in the exhibition." SYNONYM contrast, compare, set side by side

machination [ˌmækɪˈneɪʃn]

a plot or scheme. "The villain's machinations were finally exposed." SYNONYM plot, scheme, conspiracy ANTONYM honesty, fairness, straightforwardness

magnanimous [mægˈnænɪməs]

generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or less powerful person. "He was magnanimous in victory." SYNONYM generous, noble, unselfish ANTONYM selfish, mean, petty

malevolent [məˈlɛvələnt]

having or showing a wish to do evil to others. "The villain had a malevolent grin." SYNONYM malicious, wicked, evil ANTONYM benevolent, kind, good

malleable [ˈmælɪəbl]

easily influenced; pliable. "He was a malleable child, easily led astray." SYNONYM pliable, flexible, adaptable ANTONYM rigid, inflexible, stubborn

mendacious [mɛnˈdeɪʃəs]

not telling the truth; lying. "He was a mendacious politician." SYNONYM dishonest, deceitful, untruthful ANTONYM honest, truthful, sincere

meritocracy [ˌmɛrɪˈtɒkrəsi]

government or other system where power is vested in those talented enough to acquire it. "She believed in a meritocracy, where hard work is rewarded." SYNONYM merit system, ability-based system ANTONYM aristocracy, oligarchy, plutocracy

morose [məˈroʊs]

sullen and ill-tempered. "He was morose and withdrawn." SYNONYM sullen, gloomy, depressed ANTONYM cheerful, happy, joyful

nefarious [nɪˈfɛəriəs]

(especially of an action or activity) wicked or criminal. "The villain's nefarious plans were foiled." SYNONYM wicked, evil, villainous ANTONYM virtuous, good, moral

obdurate [ˈɒbdjʊrət]

stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action. "She was obdurate in her refusal to apologize." SYNONYM stubborn, obstinate, inflexible ANTONYM flexible, adaptable, yielding

obsequious [əbˈsiːkwiəs]

obedient or attentive to an excessive degree. "He was obsequious to his boss." SYNONYM servile, submissive, fawning ANTONYM assertive, independent, defiant

opulent [ˈɒpjələnt]

luxurious, sumptuous. "The hotel was opulent and luxurious." SYNONYM luxurious, lavish, extravagant ANTONYM plain, simple, austere

ostensible [ɒˈstɛnsɪbl]

stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so. "His ostensible reason for visiting was to discuss business." SYNONYM apparent, seeming, professed ANTONYM real, genuine, true

pedagogical [ˌpɛdəˈɡɒdʒɪkəl]

relating to the method and theory of teaching. "The book was full of pedagogical advice." SYNONYM educational, instructional, teaching ANTONYM non-educational, non-instructional, non-teaching

pedantic [pɪˈdæntɪk]

excessively concerned with minor details or rules; overscrupulous. "He was a pedantic teacher." SYNONYM fussy, nitpicky, overcritical ANTONYM relaxed, easygoing, casual

perspicacity [ˌpɜːrspɪˈkæsɪti]

the quality of having a ready insight into and understanding of things. "She showed great perspicacity in analyzing the situation." SYNONYM insight, discernment, acuity ANTONYM stupidity, ignorance, dullness

petulant [ˈpɛtʃələnt]

childishly sulky or bad-tempered. "She was petulant and demanding." SYNONYM sulky, grumpy, irritable ANTONYM cheerful, happy, pleasant

precocious [prɪˈkoʊʃəs]

having or showing exceptional qualities or abilities at an early age. "She was a precocious child who could read at the age of three." SYNONYM advanced, gifted, talented ANTONYM backward, undeveloped, immature

pristine [ˈprɪstiːn]

in its original condition; unspoiled. "The pristine beach was unspoiled by tourists." SYNONYM pure, clean, immaculate ANTONYM dirty, polluted, contaminated

proliferate [prəˈlɪfəreɪt]

increase rapidly in number or amount. "The weeds proliferated in the garden." SYNONYM multiply, increase, grow ANTONYM decrease, diminish, dwindle

prosaic [prəˈzeɪɪk]

lacking imagination; dull and ordinary. "His writing style was prosaic and unimaginative." SYNONYM dull, boring, tedious ANTONYM imaginative, creative, inspiring

querulous [ˈkwɛrələs]

complaining in a whining manner. "She was a querulous old woman." SYNONYM complaining, whining, irritable ANTONYM cheerful, happy, content

quiescent [kwaɪˈɛsnt]

in a state of quiet, still, or inactive. "The volcano has been quiescent for centuries." SYNONYM quiet, still, inactive ANTONYM active, busy, bustling

rancorous [ˈræŋkərəs]

characterized by bitterness or resentment. "The argument was rancorous and bitter." SYNONYM bitter, resentful, hostile ANTONYM friendly, amicable, harmonious

raucous [ˈrɔːkəs]

making or characterized by loud and unpleasant noise. "The party was raucous and noisy." SYNONYM noisy, clamorous, boisterous ANTONYM quiet

repudiate [rɪˈpjuːdieɪt]

refuse to accept or acknowledge; reject. "He repudiated the allegations against him." SYNONYM reject, deny, disavow ANTONYM accept, acknowledge, endorse

repugnant [rɪˈpʌɡnənt]

extremely distasteful; unacceptable. "The idea of eating insects is repugnant to many people." SYNONYM disgusting, abhorrent, repulsive ANTONYM pleasant, agreeable, appealing

sagacious [səˈɡeɪʃəs]

having or showing wisdom and good judgment. "The old man was sagacious and wise." SYNONYM wise, intelligent, discerning ANTONYM foolish, unwise, stupid

sanctimonious [ˌsæŋktɪˈmoʊniəs]

making a show of being morally superior to other people. "He was a sanctimonious hypocrite." SYNONYM self-righteous, hypocritical, pious ANTONYM humble, modest, unassuming

sanguine [ˈsæŋɡwɪn]

optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation. "She was sanguine about her chances of success." SYNONYM optimistic, hopeful, cheerful ANTONYM pessimistic, gloomy, despondent

scintillating [ˈsɪntɪleɪtɪŋ]

sparkling; shining brightly. "Her eyes were scintillating with excitement." SYNONYM sparkling, brilliant, dazzling ANTONYM dull, boring, tedious

sedulous [ˈsɛdʒələs]

(of a person) showing dedication and diligence. "She was a sedulous student." SYNONYM diligent, hardworking, industrious ANTONYM lazy, idle, careless

solicitous [səˈlɪsɪtəs]

characterized by care or concern. "She was solicitous about her sick mother." SYNONYM concerned, caring, attentive ANTONYM indifferent, unconcerned, careless

spurious [ˈspjuəriəs]

not genuine; false or fake. "His claims were spurious and unfounded." SYNONYM false, fake, counterfeit ANTONYM genuine, authentic, real

subterfuge [ˈsʌbtərfjuːdʒ]

deceit used in order to achieve one's goal. "He resorted to subterfuge to avoid paying taxes." SYNONYM deceit, trickery, deception ANTONYM honesty, truthfulness, sincerity

surreptitious [ˌsʌrəpˈtɪʃəs]

kept secret, especially because it is shameful or wrong. "She took a surreptitious glance at her watch." SYNONYM secret, clandestine, covert ANTONYM open, overt, public

tacit [ˈtæsɪt]

understood or implied without being directly stated. "There was a tacit agreement between them." SYNONYM implied, understood, unspoken ANTONYM explicit, stated, expressed

tenuous [ˈtɛnjuəs]

very weak or slight. "The evidence for his theory is tenuous." SYNONYM weak, flimsy, insubstantial ANTONYM strong, solid, substantial

truculent [ˈtrʌkjələnt]

easily angered; bad-tempered. "He was a truculent old man." SYNONYM aggressive, belligerent, hostile ANTONYM peaceful, gentle, mild

tumultuous [tjuːˈmʌltjuəs]

excited and confused; disorderly. "The crowd was tumultuous and unruly." SYNONYM chaotic, disorderly, turbulent ANTONYM calm, peaceful, orderly

vociferous [voʊˈsɪfərəs]

(especially of a person or crowd) clamorous. "The protesters were vociferous in their demands." SYNONYM loud, noisy, clamorous ANTONYM quiet, silent, subdued