Untitled Flashcards Set

1. abjure

35. homogeneous

69. photosynthesis

2. abrogate

36. hubris

70. plagiarize

3. abstemious

37. hypotenuse

71. plasma

4. acumen

38. impeach

72. polymer

5. antebellum

39. incognito

73. precipitous

6. auspicious

40. incontrovertible

74. quasar

7. belie

41. inculcate

75. quotidian

8. bellicose

42. infrastructure

76. recapitulate

9. bowdlerize

43. interpolate

77. reciprocal

10. chicanery

44. irony

78. reparation

11. chromosome

45. jejune

79. respiration

12. churlish

46. kinetic

80. sanguine

13. circumlocution

47. kowtow

81. soliloquy

14. circumnavigate

48. laissez

faire

82. subjugate

15. deciduous

49. lexicon

83. suffragist

16. deleterious

50. loquacious

84. supercilious

17. diffident

51. lugubrious

85. tautology

18. enervate

52. metamorphosis

86. taxonomy

19. enfranchise

53. mitosis

87. tectonic

20. epiphany

54. moiety

88. tempestuous

21. equinox

55. nanotechnology

89. thermodynamics

22. euro

56. nihilism

90. totalitarian

23. evanescent

57. nomenclature

91. unctuous

24. expurgate

58. nonsectarian

92. usurp

25. facetious

59. notarize

93. vacuous

26. fatuous

60. obsequious

94. vehement

27. feckless

61. oligarchy

95. vortex

28. fiduciary

62. omnipotent

96. winnow

29. filibuster

63. orthography

97. wrought

30. gamete

64. oxidize

98. xenophobe

31. gauche

65. parabola

99. yeoman

32. gerrymander

66. paradigm

100.ziggurat

33. hegemony

67. parameter

100 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know

1. abjure

2. abrogate

3. abstemious

4. acumen

5. antebellum

6. auspicious

7. belie

8. bellicose

9. bowdlerize

10. chicanery

11. chromosome

12. churlish

13. circumlocution

14. circumnavigate

15. deciduous

16. deleterious

17. diffident

18. enervate

19. enfranchise

20. epiphany

21. equinox

22. euro

23. evanescent

24. expurgate

25. facetious

26. fatuous

27. feckless

28. fiduciary

29. filibuster

30. gamete

31. gauche

32. gerrymander

33. hegemony

34. hemoglobin

34. hemoglobin

36. hubris

40. incontrovertible

41. inculcate

42. infrastructure

46. kinetic

47. kowtow

48. laissez

faire

49. lexicon

53. mitosis

56. nihilism

57. nomenclature

58. nonsectarian

59. notarize

64. oxidize

68. pecuniary

68. pecuniary

87. tectonic

90. totalitarian

91. unctuous

93. vacuous

94. vehement

95. vortex

96. winnowWORDS 1-10

abjure verb [ trans. ] formal

solemnly renounce (a belief, cause, or claim) : his refusal to abjure the

Catholic faith.

abrogate verb [ trans. ] formal

repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement) : a proposal to

abrogate temporarily the right to strike.

abstemious adjective

not self-indulgent, esp. when eating and drinking : “We only had a

bottle.” “Very abstemious of you.”

acumen noun

the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions, typically in a

particular domain : business acumen.

antebellum adjective [ attrib. ]

occurring or existing before a particular war, esp. the American Civil War

: the conventions of the antebellum South.

auspicious adjective

conducive to success; favorable : it was not the most auspicious moment to

hold an election.

• giving or being a sign of future success : they said it was an

auspicious moon—it was rising.

• archaic characterized by success; prosperous : he was respectful to

his auspicious customers.

belie verb ( -lying ) [ trans. ]

1 (of an appearance) fail to give a true notion or impression of

(something); disguise or contradict : his lively alert manner belied his

years.

2 fail to fulfill or justify (a claim or expectation); betray : the

notebooks belie Darwin's later recollection.

bellicose adjective

demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight : a group of bellicose

patriots.

bowdlerize verb [ trans. ]

remove material that is considered improper or offensive from (a text or

account), esp. with the result that it becomes weaker or less effective :

[as adj. ] (bowdlerized) a bowdlerized version of the story.

chicanery noun

the use of trickery to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose :

an underhanded person who schemes corruption and political chicanery

behind closed doors.

WORDS 11-20

chromosome noun Biology

a threadlike structure of nucleic acids and protein found in the nucleus

of most living cells, carrying genetic information in the form of genes.

churlish adjective

rude in a mean-spirited and surly way : it seems churlish to complain.

circumlocution nounthe use of many words where fewer would do, esp. in a deliberate attempt

to be vague or evasive : his admission came after years of circumlocution

| he used a number of poetic circumlocutions.

circumnavigate verb [ trans. ]

sail all the way around (something, esp. the world).

• humorous go around or across (something) : he helped her to

circumnavigate a frozen puddle.

deciduous adjective

(of a tree or shrub) shedding its leaves annually. Often contrasted with

evergreen.

• informal (of a tree or shrub) broad-leaved.

• denoting the milk teeth of a mammal, which are shed after a time.

deleterious adjective

causing harm or damage : divorce is assumed to have deleterious effects on

children.

diffident adjective

modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence : a diffident youth.

enervate verb [ trans. ]

cause (someone) to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken.

enfranchise verb [ trans. ]

give the right to vote to : a proposal that foreigners should be

enfranchised for local elections.

• historical free (a slave).

epiphany noun ( pl. -nies)

the manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles as represented by the Magi

(Matthew 2:1–12).

• the festival commemorating this on January 6.

• a manifestation of a divine or supernatural being.

• a moment of sudden revelation or insight.

WORDS 21-30

equinox noun

the time or date (twice each year) at which the sun crosses the celestial

equator, when day and night are of equal length (about September 22 and

March 20).

euro noun ( pl. euros or euro) (also Euro)

the single European currency adopted in 1999 by eleven countries in the

European Union (Belgium, Austria, Finland, Spain, Ireland, Portugal,

Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Luxembourg) as an alternative

currency in noncash transactions. In 2002 it replaced the national

currencies of twelve member countries (the original eleven, plus Greece).

(Symb.: ₠)

evanescent adjective chiefly poetic/literary

soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or

disappearing : a shimmering evanescent bubble.

• Physics denoting a field or wave that extends into a region where it

cannot propagate and whose amplitude therefore decreases with distance.

expurgate verb [ trans. ] [often as adj. ] ( expurgated)

remove matter thought to be objectionable or unsuitable from (a book or

account) : the expurgated Arabian Nights.facetious adjective

treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.

fatuous adjective

silly and pointless : a fatuous comment.

feckless adjective

(of a person) lacking in efficiency or vitality : a feckless mama's boy.

• unthinking and irresponsible : the feckless exploitation of the

world's natural resources.

fiduciary adjective Law

involving trust, esp. with regard to the relationship between a trustee

and a beneficiary : the company has a fiduciary duty to shareholders.

• archaic held or given in trust : fiduciary estates.

• Finance (of a paper currency) depending for its value on securities

(as opposed to gold) or the reputation of the issuer.

filibuster noun

1 an action such as a prolonged speech that obstructs progress in a

legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required

procedures : it was defeated by a Senate filibuster in June.

2 historical a person engaging in unauthorized warfare against a foreign

country.

gamete noun Biology

a mature haploid male or female germ cell that is able to unite with

another of the opposite sex in sexual reproduction to form a zygote.

WORDS 31-40

gauche adjective

lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward.

gerrymander verb [ trans. ] [often as n. ] (gerrymandering)

manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor

one party or class.

• achieve (a result) by such manipulation : a total freedom to

gerrymander the results they want.

hegemony noun

leadership or dominance, esp. by one country or social group over others :

Germany was united under Prussian hegemony after 1871.

hemoglobin noun Biochemistry

a red protein responsible for transporting oxygen in the blood of

vertebrates. Its molecule comprises four subunits, each containing an iron

atom bound to a heme group.

homogeneous adjective

of the same kind; alike : timbermen prefer to deal with homogeneous woods.

• consisting of parts all of the same kind : culturally speaking the

farmers constitute an extremely homogeneous group.

• Mathematics containing terms all of the same degree.

hubris noun

excessive pride or self-confidence.

• (in Greek tragedy) excessive pride toward or defiance of the gods,

leading to nemesis.hypotenuse noun

the longest side of a right triangle, opposite the right angle.

impeach verb [ trans. ]

call into question the integrity or validity of (a practice) : there is no

basis to Searle's motion to impeach the verdict.

• charge (the holder of a public office) with misconduct : the governor

served only one year before being impeached and convicted for fiscal

fraud.

incognito adjective & adverb

(of a person) having one's true identity concealed :

[as adj. ] in order to observe you have to be incognito.

[as adv. ] he is now operating incognito.

incontrovertible adjective

not able to be denied or disputed : incontrovertible proof.

WORDS 41-50

inculcate verb [ trans. ]

instill (an attitude, idea, or habit) by persistent instruction : the

failures of the churches to inculcate a sense of moral responsibility.

• teach (someone) an attitude, idea, or habit by such instruction :

they will try to inculcate you with a respect for culture.

infrastructure noun

the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g.,

buildings, roads, and power supplies) needed for the operation of a

society or enterprise.

interpolate verb [ trans. ]

insert (something) between fixed points : illustrations were interpolated

in the text.

• insert (words) in a book or other text, esp. in order to give a false

impression as to its date.

• make such insertions in (a book or text).

• interject (a remark) in a conversation : [with direct speech ] “I

dare say,” interpolated her employer.

• Mathematics insert (an intermediate value or term) into a series by

estimating or calculating it from surrounding known values.

irony noun ( pl. -nies)

the expression of one's meaning by using language that normally signifies

the opposite, typically for humorous or emphatic effect : “Don't go

overboard with the gratitude,” he rejoined with heavy irony.

• a state of affairs or an event that seems deliberately contrary to

what one expects and is often amusing as a result : [with clause ] the

irony is that I thought he could help me.

• (also dramatic or tragic irony) a literary technique, originally used

in Greek tragedy, by which the full significance of a character's words

or actions are clear to the audience or reader although unknown to the

character.

jejune adjective

1 naive, simplistic, and superficial : their entirely predictable and

usually jejune opinions.

2 (of ideas or writings) dry and uninteresting : the poem seems to me

rather jejune.kinetic adjective

of, relating to, or resulting from motion.

• (of a work of art) depending on movement for its effect.

kowtow verb [ intrans. ] historical

kneel and touch the ground with the forehead in worship or submission as

part of Chinese custom.

• figurative act in an excessively subservient manner : she didn't have

to kowtow to a boss.

laissez faire noun

a policy or attitude of letting things take their own course, without

interfering.

• Economics abstention by governments from interfering in the workings

of the free market : [as adj. ] laissez-faire capitalism.

lexicon noun ( pl. -cons or -ca)

1 the vocabulary of a person, language, or branch of knowledge : the size

of the English lexicon.

• a dictionary, esp. of Greek, Hebrew, Syriac, or Arabic : a Greek–

Latin lexicon.

2 Linguistics the complete set of meaningful units in a language.

loquacious adjective

talkative.

WORDS 51-60

lugubrious adjective

looking or sounding sad and dismal.

metamorphosis noun ( pl. -phoses) Zoology

(in an insect or amphibian) the process of transformation from an immature

form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.

• a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely

different one, by natural or supernatural means : his metamorphosis

from presidential candidate to talk-show host.

mitosis noun ( pl. -ses) Biology

a type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the

same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus, typical of

ordinary tissue growth. Compare with meiosis .

moiety noun ( pl. -ties) formal or technical

each of two parts into which a thing is or can be divided.

• Anthropology each of two social or ritual groups into which a people

is divided, esp. among Australian Aboriginals and some American

Indians.

• a part or portion, esp. a lesser share.

• Chemistry a distinct part of a large molecule : the enzyme removes

the sulfate moiety.

nanotechnology noun

the branch of technology that deals with dimensions and tolerances of less

than 100 nanometers, esp. the manipulation of individual atoms and

molecules.

nihilism noun

the rejection of all religious and moral principles, often in the belief

that life is meaningless.

• Philosophy extreme skepticism maintaining that nothing in the worldhas a real existence.

• historical the doctrine of an extreme Russian revolutionary party c.

1900, which found nothing to approve of in the established social

order.

nomenclature the devising or choosing of names for things, esp. in a

science or other discipline.

• the body or system of such names in a particular field : the

nomenclature of chemical compounds.

• formal the term or terms applied to someone or something :

“customers” was preferred to the original nomenclature “passengers.”

nonsectarian adjective

not involving or relating to a specific religious sect or political group.

notarize verb [ trans. ]

have (a document) legalized by a notary.

obsequious adjective

obedient or attentive to an excessive or servile degree : they were served

by obsequious waiters.

WORDS 61-70

oligarchy noun ( pl. -chies)

a small group of people having control of a country, organization, or

institution : the ruling oligarchy of military men around the president.

• a state governed by such a group : the English aristocratic oligarchy

of the 19th century.

• government by such a group.

omnipotent adjective

(of a deity) having unlimited power; able to do anything.

• having ultimate power and influence : an omnipotent sovereign.

orthography noun ( pl. -phies)

the conventional spelling system of a language.

• the study of spelling and how letters combine to represent sounds and

form words.

oxidize verb

combine or become combined chemically with oxygen : [ trans. ] when coal

is burned any sulfur is oxidized to sulfur dioxide | [ intrans. ] the fats

in the food will oxidize, turning it rancid.

• Chemistry undergo or cause to undergo a reaction in which electrons

are lost to another species. The opposite of reduce.

parabola noun ( pl. -las or -lae)

a symmetrical open plane curve formed by the intersection of a cone with a

plane parallel to its side. The path of a projectile under the influence

of gravity ideally follows a curve of this shape.

paradigm noun

1 technical a typical example or pattern of something; a model : there is

a new paradigm for public art in this country. See note at model .

• a worldview underlying the theories and methodology of a particular

scientific subject : the discovery of universal gravitation became the

paradigm of successful science.

2 a set of linguistic items that form mutually exclusive choices in

particular syntactic roles : English determiners form a paradigm: we can

say “a book” or “his book” but not “a his book.” Often contrasted withsyntagm.

• (in the traditional grammar of Latin, Greek, and other inflected

languages) a table of all the inflected forms of a particular verb,

noun, or adjective, serving as a model for other words of the same

conjugation or declension.

parameter noun technical

a numerical or other measurable factor forming one of a set that defines a

system or sets the conditions of its operation : the transmission will not

let you downshift unless your speed is within the lower gear's parameters.

• Mathematics a quantity whose value is selected for the particular

circumstances and in relation to which other variable quantities may be

expressed.

• Statistics a numerical characteristic of a population, as distinct

from a statistic of a sample.

• (in general use) a limit or boundary that defines the scope of a

particular process or activity : they set the parameters of the debate.

pecuniary adjective formal

of, relating to, or consisting of money : he admitted obtaining a

pecuniary advantage by deception.

photosynthesis noun

the process by which green plants and some other organisms use sunlight to

synthesize foods from carbon dioxide and water. Photosynthesis in plants

generally involves the green pigment chlorophyll and generates oxygen as a

byproduct.

plagiarize verb [ trans. ]

take (the work or an idea of someone else) and pass it off as one's own.

• copy from (someone) in such a way.

WORDS 71-80

plasma noun

1 the colorless fluid part of blood, lymph, or milk, in which corpuscles

or fat globules are suspended.

• this substance taken from donors or donated blood for administering in

transfusions.

2 an ionized gas consisting of positive ions and free electrons in

proportions resulting in more or less no overall electric charge,

typically at low pressures (as in the upper atmosphere and in fluorescent

lamps) or at very high temperatures (as in stars and nuclear fusion

reactors).

• an analogous substance consisting of mobile charged particles (such as a

molten salt or the electrons within a metal).

3 a dark green, translucent variety of quartz used in mosaic and for other

decorative purposes.

4 another term for cytoplasm or protoplasm.

polymer noun Chemistry

a substance that has a molecular structure consisting chiefly or entirely

of a large number of similar units bonded together, e.g., many synthetic

organic materials used as plastics and resins.

precipitous adjective

1 dangerously high or steep : the precipitous cliffs of the North Atlantic

coast.

• (of a change to a worse situation or condition) sudden and dramatic :

the end of the war led to a precipitous decline in exports.2 (of an action) done suddenly and without careful consideration :

precipitous intervention.

quasar noun Astronomy

a massive and extremely remote celestial object, emitting exceptionally

large amounts of energy, and typically having a starlike image in a

telescope. It has been suggested that quasars contain massive black holes

and may represent a stage in the evolution of some galaxies.

quotidian adjective [ attrib. ]

of or occurring every day; daily : the car sped noisily off through the

quotidian traffic.

• ordinary or everyday, esp. when mundane : his story is an achingly

human one, mired in quotidian details.

• Medicine denoting the malignant form of malaria.

recapitulate verb [ trans. ]

summarize and state again the main points of : he began to recapitulate

his argument with care.

• Biology repeat (an evolutionary or other process) during development

and growth.

reciprocal adjective

1 given, felt, or done in return : she was hoping for some reciprocal

comment or gesture.

2 (of an agreement or obligation) bearing on or binding each of two

parties equally : the treaty is a bilateral commitment with reciprocal

rights and duties.

• Grammar (of a pronoun or verb) expressing mutual action or

relationship.

3 (of a course or bearing) differing from a given course or bearing by 180

degrees.

4 Mathematics (of a quantity or function) related to another so that their

product is one.

noun

1 technical a mathematical expression or function so related to another

that their product is one; the quantity obtained by dividing the number

one by a given quantity.

2 Grammar a pronoun or verb expressing mutual action or relationship,

e.g., each other, fight.

reparation noun

1 the making of amends for a wrong one has done, by paying money to or

otherwise helping those who have been wronged : the courts required a

convicted offender to make financial reparation to his victim.

• ( reparations) the compensation for war damage paid by a defeated

state.

2 archaic the action of repairing something : the old hall was pulled down

to avoid the cost of reparation.

respiration noun

the action of breathing : opiates affect respiration.

• chiefly Medicine a single breath.

• Biology a process in living organisms involving the production of

energy, typically with the intake of oxygen and the release of carbon

dioxide from the oxidation of complex organic substances.

sanguine adjective

1 cheerfully optimistic : they are not sanguine about the prospect.

• (in medieval science and medicine) of or having the constitutionassociated with the predominance of blood among the bodily humors,

supposedly marked by a ruddy complexion and an optimistic disposition.

• archaic (of the complexion) florid; ruddy.

• archaic bloody or bloodthirsty.

2 poetic/literary & Heraldry blood-red.

WORDS 81-90

soliloquy noun ( pl. -quies)

an act of speaking one's thoughts aloud when by oneself or regardless of

any hearers, esp. by a character in a play.

• a part of a play involving such an act.

subjugate verb [ trans. ]

bring under domination or control, esp. by conquest : the invaders had

soon subjugated most of the native population.

• ( subjugate someone/something to) make someone or something

subordinate to : the new ruler firmly subjugated the Church to the

state.

suffragist noun chiefly historical

a person advocating the extension of suffrage, esp. to women.

supercilious adjective

behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others : a

supercilious lady's maid.

tautology noun ( pl. -gies)

the saying of the same thing twice in different words, generally

considered to be a fault of style (e.g., they arrived one after the other

in succession).

• a phrase or expression in which the same thing is said twice in

different words.

• Logic a statement that is true by necessity or by virtue of its

logical form.

taxonomy noun chiefly Biology

the branch of science concerned with classification, esp. of organisms;

systematics.

• the classification of something, esp. organisms : the taxonomy of

these fossils.

• a scheme of classification : a taxonomy of smells.

tectonic adjective

1 Geology of or relating to the structure of the earth's crust and the

large-scale processes that take place within it.

2 of or relating to building or construction.

tempestuous adjective

1 characterized by strong and turbulent or conflicting emotion : he had a

reckless and tempestuous streak.

2 very stormy : a tempestuous wind.

thermodynamics plural noun [treated as sing. ]

the branch of physical science that deals with the relations between heat

and other forms of energy (such as mechanical, electrical, or chemical

energy), and, by extension, of the relationships and interconvertibility

of all forms of energy.totalitarian adjective

of or relating to a system of government that is centralized and

dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state : a

totalitarian regime.

noun

a person advocating such a system of government.

WORDS 91-100

unctuous adjective

1 (of a person) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily : he seemed

anxious to please but not in an unctuous way.

2 (chiefly of minerals) having a greasy or soapy feel.

usurp verb [ trans. ]

take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force : Richard

usurped the throne.

• take the place of (someone in a position of power) illegally:

supplant : the Hanoverian dynasty had usurped the Stuarts.

• [ intrans. ] ( usurp on/upon) archaic encroach or infringe upon

(someone's rights) : the Church had usurped upon the domain of the

state.

vacuous adjective

having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless : a vacuous

smile | vacuous slogans.

• archaic empty.

vehement adjective

showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense : her voice was

low but vehement | vehement criticism.

vortex noun ( pl. -texes or -tices)

a mass of whirling fluid or air, esp. a whirlpool or whirlwind.

• figurative something regarded as a whirling mass : the vortex of

existence.

winnow verb

1 [ trans. ] blow a current of air through (grain) in order to remove the

chaff.

• remove (chaff) from grain : women winnow the chaff from piles of

unhusked rice.

• reduce the number in a set of (people or things) gradually until only

the best ones are left : the contenders had been winnowed to five.

• find or identify (a valuable or useful part of something) : amidst

this welter of confusing signals, it's difficult to winnow out the

truth.

• identify and remove (the least valuable or useful people or things) :

guidelines that would help winnow out those not fit to be soldiers.

2 [ intrans. ] poetic/literary (of the wind) blow : the autumn wind

winnowing its way through the grass.

• [ trans. ] (of a bird) fan (the air) with wings.

wrought wrought

archaic past and past participle of work.

adjective

(of metals) beaten out or shaped by hammering.xenophobia noun

intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries :

racism and xenophobia are steadily growing in Europe.

yeoman noun ( pl. -men)

1 historical a man holding and cultivating a small landed estate; a

freeholder.

• a person qualified for certain duties and rights, such as to serve on

juries and vote for the knight of the shire, by virtue of possessing

free land of an annual value of 40 shillings.

2 historical a servant in a royal or noble household, ranking between a

sergeant and a groom or a squire and a page.

3 Brit. a member of the yeomanry force.

4 a petty officer in the U.S. Navy or Coast Guard performing clerical

duties on board ship.

• (also yeoman of signals) (in the British Royal Navy and other

Commonwealth navies) a petty officer concerned with signaling.

ziggurat noun

(in ancient Mesopotamia) a rectangular stepped tower, sometimes surmounted

by a temple. Ziggurats are first attested in the late 3rd millennium BC

and probably inspired the biblical story of the Tower of Babel (Gen. 11:1–

Abate

v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount

As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.

Abstract

adj. existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality

Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.

Abysmal

adj. extremely bad

I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!

Accordingly

adv. in accordance with

All students must behave accordingly.

Acquisition

n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something

Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults.

Adapt

v. to make suit a new purpose

v. to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation

The US has adapted many foreign foods to better suit the tastes of Americans.

Dogs are known for their ability to quickly adapt to their environments.

Adept

adj. having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)

Beth loves playing the piano, but she’s especially adept at the violin.

Adequate

adj. having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose

Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he’d be a good fit.

Advent

n. the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)

The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb.

Adversarial

adj. relating to hostile opposition

An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life.

Advocate

n. someone who promotes or defends something

v. to defend or promote something (usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.)

I am an advocate for free higher education.

Environmental protesters often advocate for cleaner energy practices.

Aesthetic

adj. relating to beauty or refined taste

The aesthetic decorations at the wedding reception made you feel as if you were a character in a fairy tale.

Afford

v. to be able to buy

v. to be able to spare

He’s saving money so he can afford to buy a new car.

I can’t afford to lose any more pencils!

Agitate

v. to promote something (usu. a cause)

They’re agitating for better health care.

Allow

v. to permit or consent to

US law allows citizens to speak freely.

Allude

v. to make a secretive mention of something

She alluded to the problem at hand but didn’t say anything more about it.

Altercation

n. a noisy argument or confrontation

Greg got into an altercation with a stranger at the bar.

Ambiguous

adj. unclear or vague in meaning

Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.

Ambitious

adj. having a powerful desire for success or achievement

Penny is so ambitious, she wants to be president someday.

Ambivalence

n. the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options

His ambivalence prevented him from immediately signing the contract.

Analogous

adj. similar but not identical

Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.

Annihilate

v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction

The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels.

Anomaly

n. something different from the norm

This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.

Anticipate

v. assume to be likely to happen

The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be.

Antipathy

n. a strong feeling of dislike

Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classroom.

Apex

n. the highest point of something

The spring play was the apex of our school year.

Apprehension

n. fearful expectation of something

Her apprehension to leave her house resulted in her missing the train.

Articulate

v. to clearly express in words

She articulated her opinion on the price of the house.

Artificial

adj. something made; not occurring naturally

Many candies use artificial flavors to make them taste fruity.

Assertion

n. a strong declaration

His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh.

Austere

adj. extremely plain

adj. stern and forbidding

adj. relating to self-denial

He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods.

My boss had an austere expression on her face.

An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn’t for everybody.

Authenticity

n. the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived

The police officer doubted the authenticity of the suspect’s story.

Avenue

n. an intangible path or approach to something

The company has decided to pursue other avenues.

Avid

adj. actively interested in or enthusiastic about something

Gerald is an avid soccer fan.

Basic

adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something

You have to start with basic Russian before you can move on to the advanced level.

Bear

v. to have as a characteristic

v. to have (a child)

v. to bring forth

v. to put up with

She bears a strong resemblance to your mother.

Judy will bear her first child later this year.

My garden is going to bear pumpkins this year.

I can’t bear her complaining any longer!

Benevolent

adj. kind, generous

Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits.

Bias

n. a preconception that prevents objectivity

It’s important to avoid bias when investigating a crime.

Bittersweet

adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness

The ending of the romance movie was bittersweet.

Bolster

v. to support, strengthen, or fortify

If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch.

Boost

n. an increase or growth

v. to increase or make grow

The boost in profits was a welcome change.

In order to boost profits, you need to cater to your customers.

Brawl

n. an intense, loud fight

v. to fight loudly and disruptively

A brawl broke out at school today after one student accused another of cheating.

The two students brawled for an hour.

Brevity

n. the quality of being brief or terse

The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.

Candid

adj. direct, blunt

Josh is candid about his desire to become an actor.

Candor

n. the trait of being honest and frank

I admire her candor, especially when nobody else bothers to speak up.

Capitalize

v. to use to your advantage

I’d like to capitalize on your math skills by having your work the cash register.

Capture

v. to trap or take possession of

v. to successfully represent or imitate

v. to captivate, mesmerize

v. to catch or seize

The spy was captured by the enemy.

Your painting beautifully captures the ephemerality of life.

I was captured by her beauty.

The cops captured the criminal three days after the incident.

Civic

adj. relating to the city or citizens

Voting is a civic duty.

Clinical

adj. emotionally unattached (usu. used in medical or scientific setting)

Her clinical approach to situations allows her to handle them more effectively.

Clout

n. special advantage or power

Children of rich and famous people often believe they have a lot of clout.

Coarse

adj. indicating a rough texture

adj. lacking refinement or sophistication

The horse’s mane was coarse, as if it had never been washed.

The queen’s coarse way of speaking surprised the other members of royalty.

Coincide

v. to happen at the same time

It wasn’t until after I booked my ticket that I realized the concert coincided with my finals.

Commission

n. the use of payment to request something (e.g., a service or product)

This painting was commissioned by a rich merchant in 1589.

Comparable

adj. able to be compared

This novel is comparable to Huckleberry Finn.

Competent

adj. sufficiently qualified

We need to hire a competent web developer to create a good website for our company.

Complacent

adj. satisfied, with no desire to change or improve

Though he had never won any awards or even been published, he was complacent with his life as a poet.

Complement

v. to make perfect or complete

This wine perfectly complements this platter of gourmet cheese.

Concede

v. to be forced to agree or surrender

v. to admit to a transgression

With no chance of winning the battle, the army at last conceded.

Dan conceded to pranking his sister.

Conceive

v. to imagine or come up with

The plan to build the city was originally conceived in the early 1900s.

Condone

v. to overlook, approve, or allow

She couldn't condone her daughter's rebellious behavior.

Conducive

adj. able to bring about or be suitable for

The noisy students hardly made the campus library conducive to studying.

Conduct

v. to control or manage

v. to behave a certain way

The group conducted their research abroad last year.

Be sure to conduct yourself accordingly.

Confide

v. to share something secretive with someone

She confided all of her biggest secrets in her best friend.

Confine

v. to put limits on; to restrict

We are going to confine the use of this drinking fountain.

Consensus

n. overall agreement

After weeks of debating, the panel finally came to a consensus.

Constitute

v. to form or compose (part of) something

The desire for equality constituted the civil rights movement.

Contemplate

v. to think deeply about

She contemplated telling her teacher about the cheating student.

Contend

v. to maintain or assert (an opinion)

The president contends that the US government will not negotiate with terrorists.

Contradict

v. to be in contrast with

The camera footage contradicts his alibi.

Controversial

adj. highly debatable and causing contention

Millions of viewers watched the controversial debate take place.

Conventional

adj. abiding by accepted standards

She lives a conventional life in the suburbs.

Convey

v. to pass on or transfer (information)

I have trouble conveying my thoughts in French.

Conviction

n. a firm belief in something

Her religious convictions prevent her from eating meat.

Corroborate

v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)

The note signed by her father corroborates her claim that she was absent from class that day.

Counteract

v. to work in opposition to

This ingredient seems to counteract the other ones.

Counterargument

n. an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument

Make sure to include a counterargument in your essay so that you can show you’ve considered the topic from all perspectives.

Counterproductive

adj. hindering the achievement of a goal

Bill’s idea to take a shortcut was ultimately counterproductive: it took us twice as long to get to the train station.

Culmination

n. the final act or climax

The culmination of the performance was unforgettable.

Cultivate

v. to foster the growth of

Teachers don’t just pass on new information to students—they cultivate their academic potential.

Decree

v. to declare formally and with authority

The president decreed that Halloween would henceforth be a national holiday.

Deference

n. respect; regard

Her deference to the elderly makes her the perfect candidate for an internship at the retirement center.

Deficient

adj. not enough in degree or amount

I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient.

Demonstrate

v. to do as an example

v. gives evidence for

Could you demonstrate the dance move for me?

This book’s use of words such as “grim” and “bleak” demonstrates the author’s mournful tone.

Demur

v. to object to

She demurred at my request to transfer to a different department.

Deplete

v. to (over)use over time (usu. resources)

The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food.

Desolate

adj. bare, barren, empty

The moon is one giant, desolate landscape.

Devise

v. to come up with (a plan)

Lana devised a plan to make herself famous.

Dilemma

n. a problem, usually requiring a choice between two options

The main dilemma is whether to pay for a commercial or not.

Diligence

n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task

Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.

Diminish

v. to become smaller in scope or degree

The itchiness of mosquito bites usually starts to diminish after a few days.

Dire

adj. hopeless and dangerous or fearful

When the police didn’t explain what was happening right away, Jane knew that the situation must be dire.

Discord

n. disagreement

Disputes over money caused intense discord in the family.

Disdain

n. a lack of respect and strong dislike (toward something or someone)

He looked at me with such disdain that I immediately knew the job wouldn’t work out.

Dismay

n. hopelessness, stress, or consternation

v. to fill with woe or apprehension

To Nick’s dismay, he got an F on the test.

Many were dismayed by the town’s implementation of metered parking.

Disparage

v. to belittle or speak down to

A good boss is stern but never disparages his or her employees.

Dispatch

v. to send off a message or messenger

The mother dispatched her daughter to their neighbor’s house.

Diversification

n. the act of becoming diverse

Lately, there’s been noticeable diversification of students at higher institutions.

Doctrine

n. a principle, theory, or position, usu. advocated by a religion or gov’t

Devoutly religious people often live their lives according to their doctrines.

Dominion

n. power and authority (usu. over a territory)

n. a legal territory

The country claimed to have dominion over parts of Russia.

Puerto Rico is a dominion of the US.

Dreary

adj. sad, gloomy, dull

The gray clouds in the sky made the day feel dreary.

Dubious

adj. doubtful, questionable

The man’s claims to the throne were dubious since nobody knew where he’d come from.

Eccentric

adj. peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm

She’s a little eccentric but still fun to be around.

Egregious

adj. extremely bad

After cheating on the exam, Emily began to feel as though she’d made an egregious mistake.

Eloquent

adj. having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)

His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling.

Eminent

adj. superior or distinguished; high in position or status

Our town made news when the eminent magician came to perform at our local theater.

Emit

v. to discharge, give forth, or release

Plants consume carbon dioxide and emit oxygen.

Emphatic

adj. very expressive; using emphasis

Her emphatic smile told me she was excited to ride the roller coaster.

Empirical

adj. derived from experience, observation, or an experiment

You need empirical evidence to support your claim.

Endow

v. to equip or bestow (usu. a quality or ability)

According to the myth, the gods endowed him with the gift of healing.

Endure

v. to withstand, sustain, or hold out against

I can’t endure this wait any longer. Will Stanford accept or reject me?

Entail

v. to involve or include

A doctoral program entails long nights and a heavy workload.

Entrenched

adj. firmly established

Her face will forever be entrenched in my memory.

Enumerate

v. to specify or count

I can’t enumerate how many times I’ve had to remind my students when their papers are due.

Envy

n. excessive jealousy

v. to admire and be jealous of

His envy of her is quite obvious.

She envies her coworker's social skills.

Erratic

adj. having no fixed course; deviating from the norm

The car became erratic after slipping on ice.

Establish

v. to enact

v. to found (a business, group, school, etc.)

They established a law that made it illegal to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol.

Our group established a new branch in Chicago.

Evoke

v. to draw forth or call up

Horror movies are great at evoking fear.

Exacerbate

v. to make worse or increase the severity of

The doctor told me not to run as it can exacerbate my knee injury.

Excel

v. to do something extremely well or to be superior in

She was a well-rounded student but excelled especially in science.

Exert

v. to put into use (usu. as effort)

Don’t exert all of your energy at once.

Exhilarating

adj. invigorating, stimulating, or exciting

The music playing at the club was catchy and exhilarating.

Expend

v. to use up (as in energy or money)

Be careful not to expend all your energy in the first half of a marathon.

Exploit

v. to use selfishly or for profit

The shoddy company exploited its workers by paying them extremely low wages.

Facilitate

v. to aid the progress of

In grad school, advisors facilitate students’ research and offer constructive criticism.

Feasibility

n. the practicality or possibility of something

The feasibility of her project was doubtful; she’d have to go all the way to Antarctica and back before the school year ended.

Ferocity

n. viciousness, violence

The lion is just one wild animal known for its ferocity.

Fiscal

adj. related to (government) money

Fiscal policy is how the government uses money to influence the economy.

Flourish

v. to prosper, grow, or make fast progress

After one year, the tiny plants had flourished into a breathtaking garden.

Fluctuate

v. to be unstable; to rise and fall

Stocks can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to determine when to buy or sell one.

Foment

v. to stir up

The civilians accused their leader of fomenting political unrest.

Foreseeable

adj. capable of being predicted or anticipated

I can't imagine aliens visiting us in the foreseeable future.

Frankly

adv. directly, clearly

I frankly don’t see the point in learning to drive.

Freewheeling

adj. carefree

His freewheeling attitude often got him in trouble at work.

Fundamental

adj. the most essential or most basic part

A thesis is arguably the most fundamental part of an essay.

Galvanizing

adj. thrilling, exciting, stimulating

The galvanizing performance left everyone spellbound.

Geriatric

adj. relating to old age

I became interested in geriatric medicine shortly after my grandfather passed away from cancer.

Hostile

adj. harmful, dangerous

The voices around the corner sounded angry, hostile even.

Hypothetical

adj. supposed; related to a hypothesis

For my physics homework, I must come up with a hypothetical situation.

Ignominious

adj. publicly shameful or humiliating

The politician's expensive campaign ultimately ended in ignominious defeat.

Impart

v. to transmit, bestow, or disclose

Parents must impart common sense to their children.

Impartiality

n. the equal and objective treatment of opposing views

To ensure impartiality, we require everyone to follow these general guidelines.

Imposing

adj. impressive (esp. in size or appearance)

The old mansion was imposing in its huge size and gothic architecture.

Imposition

n. an unnecessary burden

If it’s not too much of an imposition, could you proofread my paper?

Imprudent

adj. not cautious or prudent; rash

Backpacking abroad can be fun, but don’t be imprudent about money.

Incite

v. to encourage or stir up

Her hateful words incited anger in the crowd.

Indifference

n. apathy, emotional detachment

The girl’s indifference toward her brother upset their parents.

Indiscriminately

adv. randomly; with little or no distinction

Lottery winners are chosen indiscriminately.

Indulge

v. to give into; to satisfy or gratify

My friend loves to indulge in cheesy romance movies.

Infer

v. to guess, conclude, or derive by reasoning

You can infer from this quotation that the writer didn’t care for “pretty” language.

Innovative

adj. novel or new (esp. as an idea or invention)

Her invention was incredibly innovative and won her multiple awards.

Insatiable

adj. can’t be satisfied

A vampire’s thirst for blood is said to be insatiable.

Inversion

n. a reversal

The culture’s norms were an inversion of our own.

Invoke

v. to call on; to appeal to (e.g., a higher power)

The shaman attempted to invoke a demon.

Irreconcilable

adj. incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon

The couple’s differences were ultimately irreconcilable, giving them no choice but to break up.

Lament

v. to feel sorrow for; to mourn

Susan lamented her missed chance at going to Europe with her high school class.

Locomotion

n. movement

Physics involves the study of locomotion.

Lucrative

adj. capable of making a lot of money; profitable

Writing books isn’t a particularly lucrative career, unless you’re J.K. Rowling.

Malicious

adj. harmful, spiteful

The malicious spirit drove out the inhabitants from their home.

Malleable

adj. capable of being molded or changed

Children’s minds are malleable but only for so long.

Materialistic

adj. superficial; focus on material possessions

Many people accuse Americans of being materialistic.

Melodramatic

adj. extravagant or exaggerated (as of a melodrama)

The melodramatic play was well liked by the audience.

Modest

adj. simple and humble

adj. small in size or amount

They moved into a modest house in the countryside.

I received a modest sum of money for my help at the company event.

Modify

v. to change, alter, or tweak

Dr. Nguyen modified the gene so that it wouldn’t carry the disease.

Momentous

adj. historically significant

Her win in the election was momentous.

Novel

adj. new, innovative

We are looking for novel ways to approach the project.

Nuance

n. a subtle difference in meaning

Body-language experts even understand the nuances of facial expressions.

Null

adj. legally void and ineffective

The government declared their marriage null.

Objectivity

n. judgment based on observations instead of emotions or opinions

In scientific research, objectivity is of utmost importance.

Obsolete

adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon

Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they’re making a huge comeback.

Omnipotent

adj. almighty and all powerful

Gods are omnipotent beings who can control human destiny.

Onset

n. the beginning or early stages

At the onset of her career as a lawyer, things were looking up.

Opine

v. to openly express an opinion

The new employee opined at the company meeting.

Ornate

adj. highly detailed and decorated

That ornate silverware must be worth thousands of dollars!

Oust

v. to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office)

Sick and tired of putting up with his bad moods, the pirates ousted their captain.

Paramount

adj. predominant, superior, most important

Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees.

Peculiar

adj. strange, bizarre

Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

Perish

v. to die; to pass away

According to the news, nobody perished in the fire.

Persecute

v. to cause suffering to

They will persecute anyone who doesn’t agree with their views of the world.

Petulant

adj. cranky, pouty, irritable

Petulant children are especially difficult to care for.

Pinnacle

n. highest level or degree

Many believe that composers such as Beethoven and Mozart represent the pinnacle of classical music.

Pitiable

adj. deserving pity

The frail-looking dog was pitiable, so I gave it some food and took it inside to care for it.

Plausible

adj. reasonable and possibly true

Her story is plausible, but that doesn’t mean she’s telling the truth.

Postulate

v. to assert

The literary critic postulates that romanticism and naturalism are actually interconnected.

Potent

adj. having great influence

adj. having a strong, chemical effect

The bald eagle is a potent symbol of the US.

The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately!

Pragmatic

adj. practical, useful

It’s not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.

Precedent

n. an example or subject from earlier in time

This change in law is without historical precedent.

Predecessor

n.  someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office)

My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office.

Prescribe

v. to command orders

v. to issue authorization for medications

The directions for our essay prescribe a length of at least ten pages.

A doctor must prescribe you this medication before you can begin taking it.

Principle

n. basic truth, assumption, or rule

Remember the universal principle: treat others as you want them to treat you.

Prohibit

v. to command against, to outlaw

Alcohol was prohibited in the US in the 1920s.

Prompt

adj. punctual, on time

n. a cue to begin something; instructions

v. to incite, propel, or cause to act

She is always prompt when it comes to turning in her homework.

I had to write an essay based on a prompt.

The possibility of a scholarship prompted him to apply to Harvard.

Promulgate

v. to put into law or formally declare

The ruler will at last promulgate an amnesty with the neighboring countries.

Prosecute

v. to bring criminal action against someone (in a trial)

The suspect was prosecuted yesterday.

Provocative

adj. intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse

Her nude paintings are considered quite provocative.

Qualitative

adj. involving qualities of something (features and content)

I noticed a qualitative change in her paintings.

Quantitative

adj. involving quantities (numbers and amounts)

We must conduct a quantitative analysis.

Quirk

n. a strange habit

His biggest quirk is his love of old marbles.

Ramify

v. to split into two or more branches

Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century.

Rash

adj. without attention to danger or risk

Her rash decision to pass the car nearly resulted in a crash.

Raw

adj. unrefined

adj. not processed; uncooked (as in food)

He’s got raw talent as a singer, but he needs to work on his performance skills.

In some countries, such as Japan, it is normal to eat raw fish.

Readily

adv. right away and without difficulty

Water was readily available at different points in the race.

Reconsideration

n. thinking again about a previously made choice

The judges’ reconsideration of her performance resulted in her victory.

Reform

n. a change for the better; improvement

v. to improve via change

The reform made it so that only those 18 and older can legally drive.

The government reformed its vague policies on marijuana use.

Refute

v. to prove to be untrue, unfounded, or incorrect

The student refuted the professor’s claim in class.

Reinforce

v. to strengthen or add support to

We can use these pipes to reinforce the structure.

Reluctantly

adv. somewhat unwillingly

Max reluctantly agreed to see the horror movie with his friends.

Renounce

v. to give up (usu. power or a position)

v. to cast off

Our CEO renounced her position yesterday.

He renounced his friend after he caught her stealing money from him.

Reproach

v. to criticize

The mother reproached her daughter’s school for making students come in during a blizzard.

Repudiate

v. to refuse to recognize as true

v. to cast off

The father repudiated his son’s marriage.

She repudiated her son once she found out he’d married someone without telling her.

Retention

n. the act of keeping something

Water retention can make you weigh more on certain days.

Satiated

adj. satisfied (usu. in hunger)

I felt satiated after eating a snack.

Savvy

adj. having practical intelligence or knowledge

My brother is not very savvy when it comes to using public transportation.

Scandalous

adj. morally offensive, often causing damage to one’s reputation

The scandalous politician decided it was best to resign from office.

Scorn

v. to look down on with disdain

It’s difficult for me not to scorn those who use improper grammar.

Scrupulous

adj. paying great attention to detail

I am a scrupulous proofreader and never miss an error.

Scrutinize

v. to examine carefully and critically

The teacher scrutinized her students’ essays.

Secrete

v. to produce or release (a substance)

Trees secrete a sticky substance called sap.

Sentiment

n. opinion

n. a tender or moving gesture

I am of the sentiment that you should never give out your passwords to anyone.

Even though I’m not a big fan of porcelain dolls, I appreciated the sentiment.

Sheer

adj. so thin that light can shine through

The curtains on the window were so sheer you could clearly see inside the house.

Simple

adj. easy; not complex

adj. undecorated

This math problem is so simple even a first grader can solve it.

The simple beauty of the ocean is what makes it memorable.

Sinister

adj. ominous, evil

Medieval peasants believed sinister demons could harm humans.

Solidarity

n. the joining of commonalities or common purposes among a group

I stood in solidarity with other female students by refusing to wear the school’s sexist uniform.

Sparingly

adv. insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner

Due to my condition, I must eat salt sparingly.

Spawn

v. to release eggs

v. to call forth or generate

Frogs typically spawn in ponds.

The topic spawned an ongoing debate among his family members.

Spur

v. to stimulate or incite

Her bravery spurred others to act.

Squalid

adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy

The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator.

Stark

adj. very plain; devoid of any details or features

Looking out at the stark landscape, I felt a keen sense of isolation.

Static

adj. motionless

adj. changeless

The ball is static.

Her life has been static for the past three years.

Subordinate

adj. lower in rank

n. someone lower in rank

v. to make dependent on or put at a lower rank

The subordinate officers work every day.

My subordinate will check you in.

You aren’t my boss—you can’t subordinate me to the role of receptionist!

Subsequently

adv. happening later or after something

I subsequently went home.

Substantial

adj. very large in amount or degree

I was shocked to find a substantial amount of money beneath the park bench.

Substantiate

v. to strengthen with new evidence or facts

It is important for scientists to substantiate their theories whenever possible.

Subtle

adj. hard to detect or analyze

I detected in her expression a subtle hint of irritation.

Sufficient

adj. enough; just meeting a requirement

These boxes should be sufficient for our move.

Surly

adj. unfriendly; inclined to anger

The bartender was a surly fellow who wasn’t afraid to start a fight.

Surmount

v. to get on top of or overcome

They managed to surmount the language barrier by using a translation app.

Susceptible

adj. to be vulnerable (to something)

Children are more susceptible to certain illnesses than adults are.

Tactful

adj. skilled at dealing with people

Her tactful attitude toward our class made her one of my favorite teachers.

Taut

adj. pulled tight

The rubberband was taut and ready to be fired.

Teeming

adj. abundantly filled (usu. with living organisms)

Doorknobs are not as clean as they look and are often teeming with germs.

Temperament

n. usual mood or feelings

She had a hostile temperament, making her intimidating to most people.

Tentative

adj. not yet finalized

We haven’t made any official arrangements yet, but the tentative location for our wedding is Hawaii.

Transparent

adj. see-through; so thin that light can shine through

adj. truthful or easy to perceive

Stained window glass isn’t as transparent as regular window glass is.

She was transparent about her plans to end her marriage.

Treacherous

adj. dangerous and unstable

The journey was becoming treacherous, but they continued on regardless.

Tremendous

adj. very large, good, or bad in degree or size

Tremendous news! You don’t have to repay your loans!

Ubiquitous

adj. being everywhere at once

Cell phones are ubiquitous these days.

Unadorned

adj. undecorated, plain

Though the dress was cheap and unadorned, it was by far her favorite one on the rack.

Undermine

v. to weaken or subvert (usu. gradually or secretly)

Parents should take care not to constantly undermine their children.

Underscore

v. to emphasize or give additional weight to

This sentence seems to underscore the overall meaning of the passage.

Undulate

v. to move as ripples or in a wavy pattern

Belly dancers are known for their ability to skillfully undulate their stomachs.

Unilateral

adj. one-sided

The unilateral decision was deemed unfair by the other party involved.

Unjust

adj. unfair; not justified

The court’s decision is unjust—he should not go free.

Unmitigated

adj. downright, utter, total

My speech was an unmitigated disaster!

Unprecedented

adj. completely new and never having happened before; historic

The number of protestors was unprecedented.

Unveil

v. to make visible; to reveal

We plan to unveil our plans for the new company project on Sunday.

Urge

n. desire or impulse

v. to encourage or persuade

He had the urge to tell his parents about his acceptance to Columbia but decided against it.

She urged her sister to apply to Stanford.

Validate

v. to prove or declare valid

Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me.

Viability

n. ability to be done in a practical or useful way

The viability of the solution is questionable.

Vital

adj. urgently necessary

It is vital that you respond by the deadline.

Vow

v. to promise

My brother quickly broke his vow to never eat chocolate again.

Warrant

v. to prove to be reasonable

Wanting to look cool in front of your friends doesn’t warrant breaking the law.

Yield

n. production of an amount

v. to give way to or surrender to

v. to produce or supply

The farmer’s annual pumpkin yield exceeded 10,000.

Cars turning right on red must yield to oncoming traffic.

Our experiment yielded many unique-looking vegetables.