All units English

Group 1: Negative Feelings and Behaviors

Abhor – to feel hatred or disgust toward

Acrimony – a rough and bitter manner

Antipathy – a feeling of intense dislike

Belligerent – characteristic of an enemy or one eager to fight

Cantankerous – stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate

Caustic – capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action, or severely critical

Churlish – having a bad disposition; surly

Impunence – the trait of being rude and impertinent

Insolence – the trait of being rude and impertinent

Irreverent – showing lack of due respect or veneration

Tips for studying this group:

Focus on the emotional tone of these words—they describe unpleasant attitudes or behaviors.

Try to associate the words with examples of people or situations that fit these descriptions. For instance, "belligerent" might remind you of someone always ready to argue, while "irreverent" could describe a comedian making jokes at the expense of serious topics.

Group 2: Understanding & Knowledge

Abstruse – difficult to understand

Acumen – shrewdness shown by keen insight

Cerebral – relating to the brain

Erudite – having or showing profound knowledge

Empirical – derived from experiment and observation rather than theory

Incredulous – not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving

Lucid – easily understandable

Scrutinize – to examine closely and critically

Tips for studying this group:

These words relate to intellect and understanding. Focus on how each word describes the way information is processed, absorbed, or displayed.

Try using them in sentences that talk about learning, analyzing, or challenging ideas. For example, “The professor’s lucid explanation made the abstruse concept clearer.”

Group 3: Describing People

Amiable – diffusing warmth and friendliness

Altruistic – showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others

Benevolent – showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding

Garrulous – full of trivial conversation

Genial – diffusing warmth and friendliness

Ingenious – showing originality and creativity

Laconic – brief and to the point

Adroit – quick or skillful or adept in action or thought

Cajole – influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

Tips for studying this group:

These words focus on personality traits. Create characters or use famous personalities that fit each description.

You could pair opposites (e.g., amiable vs. cantankerous) to make them easier to remember.

Group 4: Actions and Changes

Abate – to become less in amount or intensity

Allocate – distribute according to a plan or set apart for a purpose

Assuage – provide physical relief, as from pain

Exhort – spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts

Coalesce – fuse or cause to come together

Extol – praise, glorify, or honor

Finesse – subtly skillful handling of a situation

Rejuvenate – make someone or something feel better, younger, or more energetic

Tips for studying this group:

These words refer to processes or changes. Imagine scenarios where these words would apply.

For example, “The coach exhorted the team to work hard,” or “The rain abated by the evening.”

Group 5: Time & Growth

Burgeon – grow and flourish

Ascendancy – the state when one person or group has power over another

Antediluvian – of or relating to the period before the biblical flood

Epiphany – an inspiration or divine manifestation

Indigenous – originating where it is found

Indolent – disinclined to work or exertion

Inundate – fill or cover completely, usually with water

Inherent – existing as an essential constituent or characteristic

Tips for studying this group:

Focus on time and growth dynamics. Consider how these words might relate to growth in nature, history, or individuals.

Imagine an idea burgeoning (growing rapidly) in someone’s mind, or how power can ascend over time.

Group 6: Descriptions of Things or Conditions

Auspicious – indicating favorable circumstances and good luck

August – profoundly honored

Arcane – requiring secret or mysterious knowledge

Byzantine – of or relating to the Byzantine Empire or the ancient city of Byzantium

Flagrant – conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible

Florid – elaborately or excessively ornamented

Garish – tastelessly showy

Hackneyed – repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse