2024-2025 College English Words of the Week

abnegation

the rejection of a belief or idea; staying away from something

capricious

given to sudden and unaccountable changes of mood or behavior

disparate

essentially different; distinct in kind

iniquity

gross injustice or wickedness; a violation of right

palliate

to relieve or lessen without curing

quandary

an uncertain and confusing situation or position

satiate

to satisfy to the full

angst

a feeling of dread, anxiety, or anguish

calumny

a false statement maliciously made to injure someone’s reputation

egregious

extraordinary in some bad way

magnanimous

generous in forgiving an insult or injury

obstreperous

noisily and aggressively boisterous

paucity

the presence of something, but only in small or insufficient quantities or amounts

apathy

the absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement

deference

respectful or courteous regard to the judgment, opinion, or will of another

expedite

to speed up the progress of; to accomplish quickly

malaise

a feeling of uneasiness or depression; a mild sickness

perfidious

deliberately faithless; deceitful and untrustworthy

resolute

determined in purpose or opinion

temerity

excessive confidence or boldness that might be offensive

umbrage

offense, annoyance, or displeasure

vacillate

to waver between two different opinions or actions

bellicose

eager to fight; aggressively hostile

diffident

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

furtive

attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive

panacea

a remedy for all disease or ills; an answer or solution for all problems or difficulties

perspicacious

having keen mental perception and understanding

sanguine

cheerfully optimisitic, hopeful, or confident; bloody/blood red

tenuous

thin or slender in form, as a thread; lacking a sound basis, as reasoning

vacuous

having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless