Vocab Set

conniving

Secretly planning or scheming, often in a sneaky or dishonest way to get what you want

coarse

Rough in texture, or rude and crude in manner

devotee

A person who is very devoted to something or someone, like a fan

eccentric

Odd or unconventional in behavior, in a way that stands out

remnant

A small piece or amount left over after the rest is gone

seamless

Smooth and continuous, with no breaks or visible joins

prudent

Careful and sensible, thinking ahead to avoid problems

complacent

So satisfied with how things are that you stop trying or paying attention

heed

To pay attention to and follow advice or a warning

lucrative

Producing a lot of money or profit

receptive

Willing to listen to and consider new ideas or suggestions

Machiavellian

Cunning and willing to deceive or manipulate others to gain power

corridor

A long hallway or passage with rooms or doors along it

attest

To state or show that something is true, often as a witness

cording

Cord or rope-like material, or a set of twisted cords (see notes: possible typo)

retribution

Punishment or payback for something wrong that was done

impose

To force something (a rule, opinion, or burden) on someone

mosey

To walk slowly and casually, without hurry

adhere

To stick firmly to something, or to follow a rule or plan closely

indulgent

Too willing to give in to wants or to let others have their way

invigorated

Filled with energy and feeling fresh and alive

parameters

Limits or guidelines that set the boundaries of something

antics

Silly, playful, or odd behavior

systematic

Done in an organized, step-by-step way following a plan

mangled

Badly damaged, twisted, or crushed

elusive

Hard to find, catch, or understand

covert

Secret or hidden, not openly shown

tenfold

Ten times as much or as many

precipitous

Very steep, or happening suddenly and sharply

notoriety

The state of being widely known for something bad

vindicated

Proven right or cleared of blame after being doubted or accused

volatile

Likely to change quickly or explode, unstable

persnickety

Overly fussy or picky about small details

buccaneer

A pirate, or an adventurous person who takes risks

adjourned

Officially ended a meeting or session for a time

enigmatic

Mysterious and hard to understand

dispute

An argument or disagreement; or to argue that something is not true

permutation

One of the different ways a set of things can be arranged or ordered

esoteric

Understood by only a small group with special knowledge

jurisdiction

The official power or area in which a person or court has legal authority

radical

Extreme or very different from the usual, especially about big change

radicalized

Made to hold extreme views, especially political or social ones

symbiotic

Describing a relationship where both sides benefit from each other

reprehensible

Deserving blame or strong disapproval, very bad

mutually exclusive

Unable to both be true or happen at the same time

disparate

Very different from each other and not alike

disparities

Noticeable differences, especially unfair ones, between things

echelons

Levels or ranks within an organization or group

amicably

In a friendly way, without anger

galvanize

To shock or excite someone into taking action

bravado

Showy confidence, often to hide fear

effervescent

Bubbly, either as a liquid or in a lively, cheerful personality

phonetic

Relating to the sounds of speech, or spelled the way it sounds

rectify

To correct or fix something wrong

bona fide

Genuine and real, not fake

entendre

A word or phrase with a second meaning, as in "double entendre" (a phrase with a hidden, often risque meaning)

unprecedented

Never done or known before

subsidiary

A smaller company controlled by a larger one; or secondary in importance

obstruct

To block or get in the way of something

recoup

To get back something you lost or spent, like money

grandiose

Too grand or showy, trying to seem more important than it is

smitten

Strongly attracted to or in love with someone

caveat

A warning or condition to keep in mind

reconciliation

Making peace after a disagreement, or making two things fit together

precarious

Not safe or secure, likely to fall or fail

status quo

The way things currently are

walleyed

Having eyes that look outward or stare with a wide, glaring look

intuitive

Known or understood by instinct without needing to be taught

pristine

Perfectly clean and untouched, in original condition

concurrently

At the same time

vague

Not clear or specific, hard to understand

partial

Only part of something, not whole; or favoring one side

nefarious

Wicked or evil

endearing

Causing others to feel love or affection

exemplary

Serving as a very good example, excellent

endure

To put up with something hard, or to last a long time

catharsis

A release of strong emotions that leaves you feeling relieved

archaic

Very old-fashioned, from an earlier time

precursor

Something that came before and led to something else

encumbered

Weighed down or held back by a burden

tentatively

In an unsure way, not final

desolate

Empty, lonely, and bleak

pensive

Quietly thoughtful, often a little sad

permeable

Letting liquids or gases pass through

vigilant

Watchful and alert for danger or trouble

emanate

To come out from a source, like light or a smell

reconcile

To make peace between people, or to make conflicting things agree

rhetoric

The art of persuasive speaking or writing; sometimes just fancy words with little substance

vernacular

The everyday language of a particular group or region

superficial

On the surface only, not deep or thorough

irrefutable

Impossible to argue against or disprove

contingency

A possible future event or backup plan you prepare for

relinquish

To give up or let go of something

legible

Clear enough to read

admonished

Warned or scolded firmly but gently

segues

Smooth transitions from one topic or piece to the next (spelled "segue")

parallels

Similarities between two things; or lines that run side by side and never meet

geyser

A hot spring that shoots water and steam into the air

autonomy

The freedom to make your own choices and govern yourself

ramifications

Consequences or results that follow from an action, often complicated ones