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Eminence

A position of great distinction or superiority, often recognized for achievements or influence.

Has a positive connotation vs. notoriety

Example: "…her eminence in cinematography."

Canny (2 def)

1. Having or showing shrewdness and good judgement, especially in money or business matters

2. Pleasant; nice

1. “Canny shoppers came early for a bargain.”

2. “She’s a canny lass”

   (lass means a young woman)

Hortatory

Tending or aiming to extort.

“The central bank relied on hortatory messages and voluntary compliance.”

Hort-a-Tory

Abstruse

Difficult to understand; obscure; recondite (although recondite is “little known” vs hard to understand); arcane (although arcane has a mysterious connotation)

sordid

involving ignoble actions and motives; morally dirty or squalid.

Example: The politician's sordid past was revealed during the campaign.

recondite

Difficult or impossible for one of ordinary understanding to understand; Often abstract or esoteric in nature.

Example: His recondite knowledge of obscure languages made him a valuable asset to the research team.

quotidian

Occurring every day; commonplace or ordinary in nature.

Example: The poem explores the beauty in the quotidian aspects of life.

ignominious

deserving or causing public disgrace or shame.

"Ignominious" highlights the public shame and disgrace associated with something, while "ignoble" focuses on the lack of moral nobility or character itself

Example: “.."the party risked ignominious defeat.”

cursory

hasty and superficial; not thorough or detailed; lacking effort or without care

Example: A cursory glance at the figures

Pedagogic

relating to teaching or education.

Pedagogue

Example: They show great pedagogic skills.

Flout

to openly disregard a rule, law, or convention

Example: "They flouted the regulations set by the authority."

Insipid

lacking flavor, vigor, or interest.

Example: "The soup was insipid, lacking any seasoning or zest."

“Much of modern art is insipid, shallow work.”

Loquacious

tending to talk a great deal; talkative.

Example: "She was known for her loquacious nature, always engaging in lively conversations."

Misanthropic

characterized by a dislike or distrust of humankind and avoiding society.

Example: "His misanthropic views led him to isolate himself from social interactions."

Puerile

childishly silly or trivial

Example: "His puerile antics were often entertaining but not taken seriously by adults."

“That is a puerile excuse.”

Pronunciation: Pure-ul

Quixotic

exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic or impractical.

Example: "Her quixotic dreams of changing the world often led her to overlook practical solutions."

Taciturn

Reserved in speech; of few words

Example: He’s generally taciturn, so when he speaks it’s important.

Adulterate

To damage the quality of something by adding to it (typically by adding something inferior)

Example: You added too much salt, adulterating the chili.

Aggrandize

Increase the power, wealth, or status of someone

Example: He stole from the bank in an attempt to self aggrandize

Alacrity

Eagerness and cheerful readiness to do something

Example: The children completed their chores with surprising alacrity

Anachronistic

Belonging to a different time period; in the wrong era

Example: Colonial conquest was thought to be anachronistic

Pronunciation: An-a-chron-istic

Banal

Lacking creativity; unoriginal; dull

Example: The reviewer grew weary of banal superhero movies

Caustic

Sarcastic in a bitter, scathing way

(2) Acidic, harmful and corrosive

Example: The players were making caustic comments about the referee

Example (2): Care should be taken when handling the caustic substance.

Contrite

Feeling or expressing remorse or penitence; affected by guilt

Example: A broken and contrite heart

Penitence

the action of feeling or showing sorrow and regret for having done wrong; repentance.

Example: A public display of penitence

Craven

Cowardly; contemptibly lacking courage

Example: A craven abdication of his moral duty

Demur

To raise doubts or objections; to show reluctance

Example: Normally, she would have accepted the challenge, but she demurred

Pronunciation: De-murr

Dessicate

Remove the moisture from

Example: The new plants were desiccated by weeks of drought

Abjure

To strongly or solemnly renounce/reject
Example: His refusal to abjure the Catholic Church

Ascetic

(of a life) strict and lacking luxury
Example: Despite her wealth, she adopted an an ascetic lifestyle

Cacophonous

Extremely noisy; grating

Example: The neighbors hated their drumkit for its cacophonous racket

Canonize

Treat or regard as being above reproach; or declare a saint; of great significance

Example: The Roman Church canonized their leaders

Desultory

Lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm

Example: The teacher's desultory instruction did little to inspire the students.

A few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion

Prodigal

Spending money or resources recklessly or freely

Example: Prodigal resource extraction does not benefit the economy in the long term

Pronunciation: Prod-i-gall

Approbation/Approbate

approval or praise toward someone

Example: Roman leaders thrived on approbation from the masses

"a letter approbating the affair"

Ephemeral

Extremely short lasing

Example: The blizzard was ephemeral

Garrulous

Tending to talk too much; wordy

Example: She was garrulous, meaning I was going to be late to my meeting

brook

tolerate or allow (something, typically dissent or opposition).

Example: "Jenny would brook no criticism of Matthew"

“On one hand, the teacher could not afford to brook misbehavior in the classroom. On the other hand, overly harsh punishments inhibit learning.”

Inimical

Damaging; hostile in manner or tone; tending to obstruct or harm

Example: The entire affair has been inimical to our interests.

Intimate

To subtly suggest or imply something.

Example: The professor intimated there would be a test next week.

Pronunciation: In-tim-ate (verb form)

Outmoded

Old-fashioned

Example: "That’s an outmoded Victorian building.”

Paradigmatic

Representing the standard example; serving as a typical example of something.

Example: Coconuts, palm trees, and beaches are paradigmatic tropical things.

"His biography is paradigmatic of the experiences of this generation."

ossified/ossify

having become rigid or fixed in attitude or position/
become rigid or fixed in attitude or position; cease developing.

Example: "an ossified institution"

polemical

Expressing or constituting a strongly critical attack on or a controversial opinion about someone or something

Example: “His polemical speech was a reproach of capitalism.”

Precipitate (3 definitions)

1. Cause (an event or situation, typically one that is bad) to happen suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely (verb)

Example: “The incident precipitated a political crisis”

1. Done, made, or acting suddenly or without careful consideration (adjective)

Example: “I must apologize for my staff—their actions were precipitate”

1. (Chemistry) Cause a substance to be deposited in solid form from a solution (noun)

Example: “A substance precipitated from a solution”

Profundity

Deep insight; great depth of knowledge or thought

Example: “The simplicity and profundity of the message”

Sage

A profoundly wise man, especially one who features in ancient history or legend

Example: “The sayings of the numerous venerable sages”

Punctilious

Highly concerned with details or manners

Example: “The chef was very punctilious in selecting ingredients”

Recondite

Obscure and difficult to understand; esoteric

Example: “The book is far too recondite to be enjoyed by most.”

Scrupulous (2 definitions)

1. Careful with details

Example: “Only the most scrupulous individuals are eligible for this position.”

1. Moral and honest

Example: “she's too scrupulous to have an affair with a married man""

dilatory

(adjective) slow and unhurried; meant to stall

Example”: "he had been dilatory in appointing a solicitor"

Example 2 (meant to stall): “"they resorted to dilatory procedural tactics, forcing a postponement of peace talks""

artless

without guile (sly or cunning intelligence) or deception.

(2) Naive, inexperienced

(3) Plain and simple

Example: "an artless, naive girl"

(2) His artless comments about politics revealed how naive he was.

(3) The room had an artless quality, furnished only with a simple table.

incredulous

(of a person or their manner) unwilling or unable to believe something.

Example: "an incredulous gasp"

Desultory

lacking a plan, purpose, or enthusiasm.

Example: “"a few people were left, dancing in a desultory fashion"

neophyte

A person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief

Example: “Four-day cooking classes are offered for both neophytes and experts.”

Clangor

A disturbingly loud noise

Example: “The clangor of the construction interrupted my sleep.”

Clangorous (adj. version)

Diminutive

Exceptionally small in size or stature

Example: “Her diminutive stature did not affect her powerful voice.”

Imperious

Having an arrogant or domineering manner; assuming power or authority without justification

Example: His imperious demeanor was off-putting to his colleagues

Elan

energy, style, enthusiasm

Example: “A rousing match, played with great elan”

Pronunciation: “Eyy-lan”

Plodding

Moving slowly or laboriously

Example: “The plodding pace of the meeting made him feel sleepy”

Prosaic

Straightforward and unimaginative, boring. Having the style of diction (choice of words and use of them) of prose; lacking poetic beauty

Example: “Prosaic language cannot convey the experience”

"the masses were too preoccupied by prosaic day-to-day concerns"

Admonish

Warn or reprimand someone firmly; advise or urge (someone) earnestly

Example: “She admonished me for appearing at breakfast unshaven.”

“She admonished him to drink no more than one glass of wine”

Affectation

Behavior, speech, or writing that is artificial/fake and designed to impress

Example : "His French accent was an affectation as he had never been to France.”

Dissemble

Conceal one’s true motives, feelings, or beliefs

Example: “An honest, sincere person with no need to dissemble.”

“She smiled, dissembling her true emotion”

Immutable

Unable to be changed; Unchanging over time

Example: “An immutable fact.”

Indefatigable

(of a person or their efforts) persisting tirelessly; not giving up

Example: “An indefatigable defender of human rights”

Plucky

Having or showing determined courage in the face of difficulty

Example: “The plucky youngster has astounded the medical staff”

bromide

A trite or unoriginal remark or idea, typically to soothe or placate

Example: “Feel-good bromides create illusions or problem solving”

Irreverent/Irreverence

Showing a lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously

Example: “Had an irreverent sense of humor but could always be counted on for sage advice.”

“An attitude of irreverence toward politicians.”

Salubrious

Health-giving; healthy

(2) Pleasant

Example: “Salubrious weather.” or “The doctor recommended a salubrious diet and exercise.”

(2) The hotel room was salubrious

Sedulous/Assiduous

(of a person or action) showing diligence and dedication

Assiduous is a synonym but emphasizes consistency.

Example: “He watched his grandma with the most sedulous care.”

Tendentious

Expressing or intending to promote a particular cause or point of view, especially a controversial one; Showing a definite bias

Example: “A tendentious reading of history.”

Gainsay

To deny or refute an assertion or argument

Example: “It was difficult to gainsay her argument because she was so well-researched.”

Nettlesome

Causing irritation or annoyance

Example: “His constant humming was a nettlesome habit”

Obviate

Sidestep or bypass a potential problem

Example: “His meticulous preparation obviated any risk of failure”

Sagacious

Demonstrating wisdom or sound judgment

Example: “The sagacious investor rarely made a bad business decision”

Skullduggery

Sneaky or dishonest actions

Example: “The election was rife with skullduggery and corruption.”

Impetuous

Acting or done quickly without thought or care

Example: “Her friend was headstrong and impetuous.”

Boorish/Boor

Rude of unrefined in manners or behavior

Example: “His boorish behavior at dinner embarrassed his wife.”

Circumspect

Cautious or wary; exhibiting care

Example: “She was circumspect about sharing her personal information.”

Comity

Mutual respect or a courteous harmony; courtesy and considerate behavior toward others.

Example: “The neighboring countries maintained comity.”

Edify

Instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually; to teach.

Example: "Rachel had edified their childhood with frequent readings."

Fecund/Fecundity

Fertile or highly productive; producing or capable of producing an abundance of offspring or new growth;

(Fecundity): the ability to produce many new ideas.

Example: "a lush and fecund garden"

"multiply mated females show increased fecundity"

"the immense fecundity of his imagination made a profound impact on European literature"

Felicitious

Well chosen or suited to the circumstances; pleasing and fortunately; causing delight and satisfaction

Example: “A felicitous phrase.”

“The view was the room’s only felicitous feature.”

Fell-icit-ous

Irascible

having or showing a tendency to be easily angered.

Example: "an irascible man"

Mordant

(especially of humor) having or showing a sharp or critical quality; biting; sharply critical in thought

Example: "a mordant sense of humor"

Trenchant

sharp; incisive, or forcefully effective; vigorous, keen and articulate

Example: "she heard angry voices, not loud, yet certainly trenchant"

“Her trenchant analysis of the policy exposed flaws that others had overlooked.”

“During the debate, his trenchant remarks dismantled the opposing argument point by point.”

Exculpate

Clear from blame or guilt (less formal than exonerate, used in non-legal senses too)

Example: “The detective’s work exculpated the chef after he spoke to his alibi”

Feign

pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury).

Example: "she feigned nervousness"

Portend

Be a sign or warning that (something, especially something momentous or calamitous) is likely to happen

Example: “the eclipses portend some major events.”

“The distant but loud thunder portended a dark, long storm.”

Provincial

Narrow in perspective; not sophisticated (an inhabitant of the regions outside the capital city of a country, especially when narrow-minded)

Example: “A town populated by money-grubbers, philistines, and self-satisfied provincials.”

Somnolent

Sleepy or needing rest; drowsy

Example: “The lecture’s monotone delivery had a somnolent effect”

Jejune

Naive, simplistic, and superficial; (or writing) dry and uninteresting

Example: “Their entirely predictably and usually jejune opinions.”

“The poem seems rather jejune.”

Pronunciation: Je-Joon

Churlish

Rude in a mean-spirited and surly way

Example: “It seems churlish to complain.”

“His churlish rely caught everyone off guard.”

Droll

Curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement; oddly humorous

Example: “His unique brand of droll self-mockery.”

Limpid

Transparent, or easy to understand

Example: “The limpid waters of the lake reflected the clear blue sky.”

Mawkish

Overly sentimental

Example: “The movie’s mawkish ending left some audience members rolling their eyes.”

Ostentatious

Showy or designed to impress

Example: “Her ostentatious jewelry drew many envious glances.”

Perfunctory

Done without enthusiasm; carried out with minimal effort

Example: “His handshake was perfunctory, lacking warmth.”

Spartan

Showing the indifference to comfort or luxury traditionally associated with ancient Sparta

Example: “Spartan but adequate rooms.”