Vocab

Attenuate (verb): to reduce the strength, intensity, or effectiveness of something
Auspicious (adj): suggesting favorable circumstances or future success
Chauvinism (noun): an exaggerated or prejudiced loyalty toward one’s own group or cause
Churlish (adj): rude, ungracious, or lacking basic courtesy
Contempt (noun): a strong feeling of disrespect or disdain for someone or something
Delirious (adj): affected by a state of extreme confusion or uncontrolled emotion
Delude (verb): to mislead someone into believing something false
Disparage (verb): to speak of someone or something in a belittling or demeaning way
Enigmatic (adj): difficult to understand or interpret; mysterious
Erudite (adj): possessing extensive knowledge, especially from academic study
Frivolous (adj): lacking seriousness or importance; trivial
Hedonistic (adj): focused on the pursuit of pleasure as a primary goal
Indignant (adj): feeling anger or resentment at something perceived as unfair
Inexorable (adj): impossible to stop or prevent
Laud (verb): to praise highly or commend
Laudatory (adj): expressing praise or admiration
Morose (adj): gloomy, sullen, or persistently unhappy
Obsequious (adj): excessively submissive or eager to please
Ornamented (verb): decorated or embellished for visual effect
Strident (adj): harsh, loud, or forceful in tone

Abscond (verb): to leave secretly or suddenly, often to avoid responsibility
Aesthetic (adj): concerned with beauty or artistic expression
Colloquial (adj): characteristic of informal, everyday language
Cynical (adj): believing that people are motivated primarily by self-interest
Deleterious (adj): causing harm or damage
Didactic (adj): intended to instruct or teach, often in a moralizing way
Diatribe (noun): a forceful and bitter verbal attack
Disillusion (noun): disappointment that arises from recognizing something as less ideal than expected
Emphatic (adj): expressed with strong emphasis or force
Esoteric (adj): understood by only a small, specialized group
Exhort (verb): to strongly encourage or urge someone to act
Exploit (verb): to use unfairly or selfishly for personal advantage
Feasible (adj): capable of being accomplished or realistically achieved
Mercurial (adj): subject to sudden or unpredictable changes in mood or behavior
Pedantic (adj): excessively concerned with minor details or rules
Poignant (adj): deeply affecting, often emotionally moving
Premise (noun): a statement or idea that serves as the foundation of an argument
Punctilious (adj): showing great attention to detail or correctness
Reportorial (adj): written in a factual, journalistic style
Synonymous (adj): having the same or nearly the same meaning

Acquiesce (verb): to accept something reluctantly without protest
Belligerent (adj): hostile or aggressive in behavior or attitude
Callous (adj): emotionally insensitive or unfeeling toward others
Censure (verb): to formally criticize or express strong disapproval
Conciliatory (adj): intended to reduce tension or promote agreement
Despondency (noun): a state of deep sadness or hopelessness
Dubious (adj): uncertain or doubtful in nature
Equivocal (adj): deliberately unclear or ambiguous
Euphony (noun): a pleasing or harmonious sound
Feign (verb): to pretend or give a false appearance
Inherent (adj): existing as a natural or essential quality
Invective (noun): harsh or abusive language used to criticize
Paucity (noun): a scarcity or lack of something
Pragmatic (adj): focused on practical results rather than ideals
Pretentious (adj): attempting to impress by claiming greater importance than is deserved
Prosaic (adj): dull, ordinary, or lacking imagination
Protuberant (adj): projecting outward or bulging
Supercilious (adj): behaving as if one is superior to others
Vindictive (adj): motivated by a desire for revenge
Wrought (adj): carefully formed or shaped with great effort

Ambivalent (adj): having mixed or conflicting feelings about something
Avant-Garde (adj): favoring experimental or innovative ideas, especially in art
Belie (verb): to contradict or fail to give a true impression of
Blithe (adj): carefree and unconcerned
Crass (adj): lacking sensitivity, refinement, or tact
Dichotomy (noun): a division between two opposing or contrasting things
Disavow (verb): to deny responsibility for or refuse to support
Discerning (adj): showing good judgment or insight
Ephemeral (adj): lasting for a very short time
Epigram (noun): a brief, witty statement that expresses an idea
Equanimity (noun): mental calmness and composure under stress
Fortuitous (adj): happening by chance, often with a positive outcome
Magnanimous (adj): generous or forgiving toward others
Pacifist (noun): a person who opposes war or violence
Paternalistic (adj): limiting others’ freedom while claiming to act in their best interest
Reverent (adj): showing deep respect or admiration
Saccharine (adj): excessively sweet or sentimental
Staunch (adj): firm and loyal in belief or support
Substantiate (verb): to support or prove with evidence
Validate (verb): to confirm or establish as legitimate