Essential Vocabulary and Exemplars

adhere (verb)

To believe in and follow the practices of. Example: They adhere to a strict diet.

advocate (verb)

To publicly recommend or support. Example: She advocates for environmental protection.

allude (verb)

To suggest or call attention to indirectly; to hint at. Example: He alluded to his past struggles.

ambivalence (noun)

The state of having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas about something. Example: She felt ambivalence about her new job offer.

analogous (adjective)

Comparable in certain respects, typically making the nature of things clearer. Example: A brain and a computer are analogous.

refute (verb)

To prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false. Example: The lawyer refuted the testimony with DNA evidence.

renounce (verb)

To formally declare one's abandonment of a claim, right, or possession. Example: The king renounced his throne.

repression (noun)

The restraint, prevention, or inhibition of a feeling or quality. Example: The repression of anger can lead to stress.

retain (verb)

To continue to have something; keep possession of. Example: The company managed to retain its best employees.

skeptical (adjective)

Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations. Example: Scientists remain skeptical about the new claims.

speculate (verb)

To form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence. Example: Journalists speculate about the election results.

substantiate (verb)

To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of. Example: He could not substantiate his alibi.

subtle (adjective)

So delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe. Example: There was a subtle difference in the two paintings.

supplement (noun)

Something that completes or enhances something else when added to it. Example: He took a vitamin supplement every morning.

tenuous (adjective)

Very weak or slight. Example: The link between the two events is tenuous.

undermine (verb)

To lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of. Example: Constant criticism can undermine a person's confidence.

underscore (verb)

To emphasize or draw attention to. Example: The report underscores the need for immediate action.

unobtrusive (adjective)

Not conspicuous or attracting attention. Example: The security cameras were unobtrusive.

validate (verb)

To check or prove the validity or accuracy of something. Example: The experiments validate the initial hypothesis.

verisimilitude (noun)

The appearance of being true or real. Example: The detailed setting added verisimilitude to the novel.

viable (adjective)

Capable of working successfully; feasible. Example: The committee proposed a viable alternative.

anecdote (noun)

A short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person. Example: He shared a funny anecdote about his travels.

apprehensive (adjective)

Anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen. Example: She felt apprehensive about the upcoming exam.

arbitrary (adjective)

Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than reason. Example: The decision to close the park seemed arbitrary.

assert (verb)

To state a fact or belief confidently and forcefully. Example: She asserted her authority in the meeting.

bias (noun)

Prejudice in favor of or against something, usually considered unfair. Example: The referee showed clear bias toward the home team.

brevity (noun)

Concise and exact use of words in writing or speech. Example: The editor praised the article for its brevity.

buttress (verb)

To increase the strength of or justification for; to reinforce. Example: They used statistics to buttress their argument.

implicit (adjective)

Implied but not plainly expressed. Example: There was an implicit agreement between the business partners.

impose (verb)

To take advantage of someone by demanding attention or commitment. Example: I do not want to impose on your hospitality.

indifference (noun)

Lack of interest, concern, or sympathy. Example: He showed complete indifference to their complaints.

inevitable (adjective)

Certain to happen; unavoidable. Example: Change is an inevitable part of life.

invoke (verb)

To cite or appeal to someone or something as an authority. Example: He invoked the constitution to protect his rights.

ironic (adjective)

Happening in the opposite way from what is expected. Example: It was ironic that the fire station burned down.

novel (adjective)

New or unusual in an interesting way. Example: The scientist proposed a novel solution to the problem.

obscure (adjective)

Not discovered or known about; uncertain. Example: The origins of the ancient language remain obscure.

obsolete (adjective)

No longer produced or used; out of date. Example: Typewriters have become obsolete.

oppressive (adjective)

Unjustly inflicting hardship and constraint; weighing heavily on spirits. Example: The regime was known for its oppressive laws.

pervasive (adjective)

Spreading widely throughout an area or group of people. Example: The smell of coffee was pervasive in the office.

prevalence (noun)

The fact or condition of being common; widespread presence. Example: The prevalence of the disease has declined.

prominent (adjective)

Important; famous. Example: She is a prominent neurosurgeon.

provoke (verb)

To stimulate or give rise to a strong, unwelcome reaction. Example: His comments provoked an angry response.

reciprocate (verb)

To respond to a gesture or action with a corresponding one. Example: She reciprocated his kindness by helping him move.

reconcile (verb)

To restore friendly relations between. Example: The two friends managed to reconcile after their argument.

divergent (adjective)

Tending to be different or develop in different directions. Example: They held divergent opinions on the matter.

dormant (adjective)

Having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down temporarily. Example: The volcano has been dormant for centuries.

eloquent (adjective)

Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing. Example: He gave an eloquent speech at the graduation.

evoke (verb)

To bring or recall to the conscious mind. Example: The music evoked memories of her childhood.

exert (verb)

To make a physical or mental effort. Example: You must exert yourself to pass the exam.

explicit (adjective)

Stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for doubt. Example: The instructions were explicit and easy to follow.

imminent (adjective)

About to happen. Example: The dark clouds warned of imminent rain.

impede (verb)

To delay or prevent by obstructing; to hinder. Example: The fallen tree impeded traffic on the highway.