Studied by 3 people
quixotic (adj.)
having or showing ideas that are different and unusual but not practical or likely to succeed.
Example of usage: That outcome would have a much better chance of securing Palestinian rights than a _________ effort to delegitimize Israel and force it to abandon its Zionist identity.
brogue (n.)
a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterised by multiple-piece, sturdy leather uppers with decorative perforations and serration along the pieces' visible edges
ad hominem (adj. & adv.)
type of argument or attack that appeals to prejudice or feelings or irrelevantly impugns another person’s character instead of addressing the facts or claims made by the latter.
Example of usage: "The debate no longer focused upon national issues once one candidate began to resort to __ _______ attacks of the other."
harangue (v.)
to speak to someone or a group of people, often for a long time, in a forceful and sometimes angry way, especially to persuade them:
Example of usage: A drunk in the station was ___________ passers-by.
sycophantic (adj.)
(of a person or of behaviour) praising people in authority in a way that is not sincere, usually in order to get some advantage from them
Example of usage: Striking the right balance here will be challenging — taking customization to the extreme would risk enabling malicious uses of our technology and ____________ AIs that mindlessly amplify people’s existing beliefs.
prescient (adj.)
knowing or suggesting correctly what will happen in the future.
Example of usage: His ridiculed forecasts for a return to growth this year have proved surprisingly ______________.
obduracy (n.)
the quality of refusing to change your mind, or of being difficult to deal with or change.
Example of usage: The __________ of the police in failing to take the complaint seriously is deeply troubling.
seething (adj.)
constant agitation, especially through anger. For example, "________ with anger" means someone is furious but keeping it a secret. They might explode into a rage if something sets them off.
disrepute (n.)
the state of being held in low esteem by the public.
Example of usage: The judge's behaviour, he said, had brought the law profession into ____________.
dereliction (n.)
a noun that means the act of abandoning something, or the state of being abandoned. For example, ____________ of personal property is when someone abandons their property, making it open to potential salvors. ____________ can also refer to intentional or conscious neglect, such as delinquency. In law, __________ is when someone intentionally or accidentally fails to fulfill an obligation without a valid reason, such as obligations related to their job. For example, "collectively, their national commitments constitute a ______________ of duty on a global scale".
mea culpa (n.)
used to acknowledge a mistake or accept responsibility for a situation.
Examples of usage: "The governor's _____ ______ in response to the financial aid scandal seemed insincere".
"The mayor's public _____ ____ for his involvement in the scandal didn't satisfy his critics".
nuance (n.)
a very slight difference in meaning, sound, color, or someone's feelings that is not usually very obvious.
Examples of usage: Looking closely, I could see a _____ of color in her red skirt.
He watched her face intently to catch every _______ of expression.
Her singing has both warmth of sound and delicacy of __________.
You need to be able to convey the subtle ______ of meaning of each word.
impetuous (adj.)
likely to act quickly and suddenly without thinking or being careful; rash; impulsive
Examples of usage: The governor may now be regretting her _________ promise to reduce unemployment by half.
I know that sometimes we all make ________ speeches when we are perhaps fired with enthusiasm.
sangfroid (n.)
composure or coolness shown in danger or under trying circumstances.
Example of usage: They committed the robbery with complete _________.
equanimity (n.)
a calm mental state, especially after a shock or disappointment or in a difficult situation.
Examples of usage: He received the news of his mother's death with remarkable __________.
Three years after the tragedy she has only just begun to regain her __________.
perseverate (v.)
repeat or prolong an action, thought, or utterance after the stimulus that prompted it has ceased.
Example of usage: “they ______________ under stress”
reticent (adj.)
unwilling to tell people about things
Examples of usage: “she was extremely _______ about her personal affairs“
He was extremely _______ about his personal life.
quandry (n.)
a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation.
Examples of usage: The unexpected results of the test have created a ________ for researchers.
I'm in a ________ about whether I should try to repair my stereo or buy a new one, even though I don't have the money to do either.
vitriol (n.)
very cruel and bitter comments or criticism.
Example: "her mother's sudden gush of fury and _______"
surly (adj.)
bad-tempered and unfriendly.
Example of usage: "the porter left with a _____ expression"
furore (n.)
great anger or excitement shown by a number of people, usually caused by a public event.
Used in a sentence: "the verdict raised a ____ over the role of courtroom psychiatry"
abeyance (n.)
a state of temporary disuse or suspension.
Example of usage: "matters were held in _____ pending further enquiries"
frenzied (adj.)
involving a lot of activity and strong emotions in a way that is often violent or frightening and not under control.
Example of usage: As he arrived at the court, he was surrounded by ______ fans.
excoriate (v.)
criticize (someone) severely. Example of usage: "he ____ the government for censorship"
In Medicine: damage or remove part of the surface of (the skin). Example of usage: "the discharge is acrid and ____ the skin of the nose"
ineptitude (n.)
lack of ability
Example of usage: the _______ of the police in handling the situation
incorrigible (adj.)
(of a person or their behaviour) not able to be changed or reformed.
"he's an __________ liar"
bonhomie (n.)
good-natured easy friendliness
Example of usage: an undying _________ radiated from her
acrid (adj.)
having a strong, bitter smell or taste that is unpleasant.
Example of usage: The fog was yellow and ______ and bit at the back of the throat.
holistic (adj)
dealing with something as a whole rather than by its individual parts.
Examples: 1. Policy makers need to take into consideration behavioural responses to changes in the cost of disease, and implement strategies that are ______ and longsighted. 2. The _____ treatment prescribed by my doctor includes herbs and vitamins that will improve the overall functioning of my body.
albeit (conj.)
although
Examples: 1. It was an interesting conversation, __________ one-way.
2. Once again, we abided by his wishes, ________ reluctantly.
palpitations (n.)
a noticeably rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat due to agitation, exertion, or illness.
Example of usage: Too much caffeine can cause heart ______________.
cadavers (n.)
a dead body, especially a human body to be dissected; corpse
consolation (n.)
comfort received by a person after a loss or disappointment
Examples of usage: When her mother died, she found ____________ in her religious beliefs.
When she lost her job, her only ___________ was that she had some savings in the bank.
prosaic (adj.)
ordinary and not especially interesting or unusual
having or using the style or diction of prose as opposed to poetry; lacking imaginativeness or originality.
Examples of usage: Only a few ________ tables and chairs remained by the time we got to the auction.
“_______ language can’t convey the experience”
incumbent (n.)
An officeholder who is seeking reelection.
impervious (adj.)
incapable of being affected, influenced or persuaded.
Example of usage:
She was __________ to his charms.
proverbial (adj.)
[only before noun] used to show that you are referring to a particular proverb or well-known phrase.
Example of usage: He drinks like the _________ fish.
[not usually before noun] well known and talked about by a lot of people.
Example of usage: Their hospitality is _________.
officious (adj.)
meddling; excessively forward in offering services or assuming authority.
Example of usage: Because Cory is the boss's son, he thinks he can stick his _________ nose into everybody's business without fear of consequences.
insurmountable (adj.)
(of difficulties, problems, etc.) that cannot be dealt with successfully
Example of usage: They were now faced with seemingly __________ technical problems.
preposterous (adj.)
completely unreasonable, especially in a way that shocks or annoys you.
Examples of usage: These claims are absolutely _____!
It’s ______ to suggest that everything was her fault!
The whole idea sounds quite _______!
beleaguered (adj.)
having a lot of problems or difficulties:
Example of usage: The arrival of the fresh medical supplies was a welcome sight for the __________ doctors working in the refugee camps.
surrounded by an army:
Example of usage: The occupants of the _____ city had no means of escape.
usurp (v.)
to seize and hold a position by force or without right
Examples of usage: When such actions and policies _____ the decisions of others and limit liberty without a sound evidentiary base, significant ethical boundaries are crossed.
The size of his plantation increased from 200 to 3,000 acres, in particular by _______ the property of local people.
vitriolic (adj.)
filled with bitter criticism or malice.
Example of usage: "_____ attacks on the politicians"
egregious (adj.)
outstandingly bad; shocking.
Example of usage: "_____ abuses of copyright"
miscreant
evil unbeliever
consortium
a group of companies or institutions
apprise
(v.) to inform of; to make aware of by giving oral or written notice
bequeath
to give or pass on as an inheritance
epoch (n.)
a period of time in history or a person's life, typically one marked by notable events or particular characteristics.
Example of usage: In doing so, Miguel is trying to build an identity for what is clearly a new _______ in his life.
unendurable
impossible to bear
quip
a remark or reply that is witty or sarcastic
daft
Insane, foolish
anarchist
A person who opposes all forms of government.
savant
a person of extensive learning; an eminent scholar
reclusive
seeking or preferring seclusion or isolation
stickler
one who is strict about rules or details
modicum
a moderate or small amount
Example of usage: "Just five pretty expertly-styled boys with a ________ of talent."
ubiquitous
present or existing everywhere
altrustic
unselfish, concerned with the welfare of others
amendable
responsive; agreeable
anachronism
something out of place in time
insidious
intended to deceive or entrap; sly, treacherous
idyllic (adj.)
pleasing or picturesque in natural simplicity.
Example of usage: an ___________ setting for a summer romance
befuddle
to confuse; to perplex
impeccable
flawless
jargon
vocabulary distinctive to a particular group of people
mudane
commonplace; ordinary
harrowing (adj.)
extremely distressing; disturbing or frightening
Example of usage: "It will seem crazy and oftentimes ________ at first, but it slows down, and you find your head coach voice pretty quickly".
convolute
make (an argument, story, etc.) complex and difficult to follow
obscenely
so excessive as to be offensive
reprehensible
If you think that a type of behaviour or an idea is very bad and morally wrong, you can say that it is _______________.
Examples of usage: Mr Cramer said the violence by anti-government protestors was _____________.
Monopoly
A market in which there are many buyers but only one seller.
cognitive
having to do with an organism's thinking and understanding
endling
The last individual of a species.
rendevous
meeting
overt
(adj.) open, not hidden, expressed or revealed in a way that is easily recognized
Fiduciary
relating to the governing of property or estate on behalf of others
fiscal
pertaining to finances
recoup
(v.) to make up for, regain
amass
(v.) to bring together, collect, gather, especially for oneself; to come together, assemble
swimmingly
without difficulty; with great success; effortlessly
Abhor
Regard with disgust and hatred
contextual
related to surrounding content
arbitrary
(adj.) unreasonable; based on one's wishes or whims without regard for reason or fairness
dicker (n.)
to bargain; to argue over prices.
Example of usage: they ______ed over the price of the car for a few minutes
rapport
a positive relationship often characterized by mutual trust or sympathy
unencumbered
not burdened with cares or responsibilities
grifter
a person who swindles you by means of deception or fraud
heinous
(adj.) very wicked, offensive, hateful
defunct
no longer existing or functioning
gazillionaire
a very large number or quantity
obliterate
to destroy completely
tawdry
showy but cheap and of poor quality
bequest
something left to someone in a will
elusive
difficult to find, catch, or achieve
immaterial
irrelevant
regale
to entertain
Exonerate
to clear from a charge or accusation
Repudiate (v.)
to disown, reject, or deny the validity of
Example of usage: the minister ________ed allegations of human rights abuses
Flummox
to confuse; to perplex
Note
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