1000 common sat words

abase

(v.) to humiliate

abate

(v.) to reduce

abdicate

(v.) to give up a position, usually one of leadership

abduct

(v.) to kidnap

aberration

(n.) something that differs from the norm

abet

(v.) to help

abhor

(v.) to hate

abide

1. (v.) to put up with
2. (v.) to remain

abject

(adj.) pitiful

abjure

(v.) to reject

abnegation

(n.) denial of comfort to oneself

abort

(v.) to give halfway on something

AD

abridge

(v.) to shorten

abrogate

(v.) to abolish, usually by authority

abscond

(v.) to sneak away and hide

absolution

(n.) freedom from blame, guilt, sin

abstain

(v.) to choose not to commit an action

abstruse

(adj.) hard to comprehend

accede

(v.) to agree

accentuate

(v.) to stress

accessible

(adj.) obtainable

acclaim

(n.) high praise

AD

accolade

1. (n.) high praise
2. (n.) special distinction

accommodating

(adj.) helpful, obliging, polite

accord

(n.) an agreement

accost

(v.) to confront verbally

accretion

(n.) slow growth in size or amount

acerbic

(adj.) bitter

acquiesce

(v.) to agree without protesting

acrimony

1. (n.) bitterness
2. (n.) discord

acumen

(n. )keen insigh

acute

1. (adj.) sharp
2. (adj.) having keen insight

AD

adamant

(adj.) unyielding

adept

(adj.) skilled

adhere

to follow devoutly

admonish

1. (v.) to caution
2. (v.) criticize

adorn

(v.) to decorate

adroit

(adj.) skillful

adulation

(n.) extreme praise

adumbrate

(v.) to sketch out in a vague way

adverse

(adj.) unfavorable, dangerous

advocate

1. (v.) to argue in favor of something

AD

aerial

(adj.) related to the air

aesthetic

(adj.) artistic

affable

(adj.) friendly

affinity

(n.)a spontaneous feeling of closeness

affluent

(adj.) rich

affront

(n.) an insult

aggrandize

(v.) to increase

aggregate

1. (n.) a whole
2. (v.) to gather into a mass

aggrieved

(adj.) distressed

agile

(adj.) quick, nimble

AD

agnostic

(adj.) questioning God's existence

agriculture

(n.) farming

aisle

(n.) a passageway between rows of seats

alacrity

(n.) eagerness, speed

alias

(n.) a false name or identity

allay

(v.) to soothe

allege

(v.) to assert, usually without proof

alleviate

(v.) to relieve

allocate

1. (v.) to distribute
2. (v) to set aside

aloof

(adj.) distant

altercation

(n.) a dispute

amalgamate

(v.) to bring together

ambiguous

(adj.) uncertain

ambivalent

(adj.) having opposing feelings

ameliorate

(v.) to improve

amenable

(adj.) willing

amenity

(n.) something that increases comfort

amiable

(adj.) friendly

amicable

(adj.) friendly

amorous

(adj.) showing love

amorphous

(adj.) without definite shape or type

anachronistic

(adj.) not in chronological order

analgesic

(n.) something that reduces pain

analogous

(adj.) similar to

anarchist

(n.) one who wants to eliminate all government

anathema

(n.) a cursed, detested person

anecdote

(n.) a short, humorous account

anesthesia

(n.) loss of sensation

anguish

(n.) torment

animated

(adj.) lively

annex

1. (v.) to incorporate territory or space
2. (n.) a room attached to a larger room or space

annul

(v.) to make void

anomaly

(n.) something that does not fit into the normal order

anonymous

(adj.) being unknown

antagonism

(n.) hostility

antecedent

(n.) something that came before

antediluvian

(adj.) ancient

anthology

(n.) a selected collection of writings, songs, etc

antipathy

(n.) a strong dislike

antiquated

(adj.) old

antiseptic

(adj.) clean

antithesis

(n.) the absolute opposite

anxiety

(n.) intense uneasiness

apathetic

(adj.) lacking emotion

apocryphal

(adj.) false

appalling

(adj.) inspiring shock, horror, disgust

appease

(v.) to satisfy

appraise

(v.) to assess the worth or value of

apprehend

1. (v.) to seize, arrest
2. (v.) to understand

approbation

(n.) praise

appropriate

(v.) to take and make use of

aquatic

(adj.) relating to water

arable

(adj.) suitable for growing crops

arbiter

(n.) one who can resolve a dispute and make a decision

arbitrary

(adj.) based on factors that appear random

arbitration

(n.) the process or act of resolving a dispute

arboreal

(adj.) of or relating to trees

arcane

(adj.) known only by a few

archaic

(adj.) outdated

archetypal

(adj.) the most representative

ardor

(n.) extreme enthusiasm

arid

(adj.) excessively dry

arrogate

(v.) to take without justification

artifact

(n.) a remaining piece from an extinct culture or place

artisan

(n.) a craftsman

ascertain

(v.) to perceive and learn

ascetic

(adj.) practicing restraint as a means of self-discipline

ascribe

(v.) to give credit to

aspersion

(n.) a curse

aspire

(v.) to long for

assail

(v.) to attack

assess

(v.) to evaluate

assiduous

(adj.) hard-working,

assuage

(v.) to ease

astute

(adj.) crafty

asylum

1. (n.) a place of refuge
2. (n.) an institution in which the insane are kept

atone

(v.) to make amends

atrophy

(v.) to decay

attain

(v.) to achieve

attribute

1. (v.) to give credit to
2. (n.) a trait

atypical

(adj.) unusual

audacious

(adj.) excessively bold

audible

(adj.) able to be heard

augment

(v.) to expand

auspicious

(adj.) favorable

austere

(adj.) very bare

avarice

(n.) excessive greed

avenge

(v.) to seek revenge

aversion

(n.) a particular dislike for something

balk

(v.) to stop

ballad

(n.) a love song

banal

(adj.) commonplace

bane

(n.) a burden

bard

(n.) a poet/singer

bashful

(adj.) shy

battery

1.(n.) a device that supplies power
2. (n.) an assault

beguile

(v.) to trick

behemoth

(n.) something of tremendous power or size

benevolent

(adj.) good

benign

(adj.) favorable

bequeath

(v.) to pass on

berate

(v.) to scold vehemently

bereft

(adj.) devoid of

beseech

(v.) to beg

bias

(n.) an inclination

bilk

(v.) to cheat

blandish

(v.) to coax through flattery

blemish

(n.) a flaw

blight

1. (n.) a plague
2. (n.) something that destroys hope

boisterous

(adj.) loud and full of energy

bombastic

(adj.) excessively confident

boon

(n.) a gift or blessing

bourgeois

(n.) a middle-class person, capitalist

brazen

(adj.) excessively bold

brusque

(adj.) abrupt, dismissive

buffet

1. (v.) to strike with force
2. (n.) an arrangement of food set out on a table

burnish

(v.) to polish, shine

buttress

1. (v.) to support, hold up
2. (n.) something that offers support

cacophony

(n.) disharmonious sound

cadence

(n.) a rhythm

cajole

(v.) to coax

calamity

(n.) an event with disastrous consequences

calibrate

(v.) to standardize

callous

(adj.) harsh, cold

calumny

(n.) an attempt to spoil someone else's reputation by spreading lies

camaraderie

(n.) brotherhood

candor

(n.) honesty

canny

(adj.) shrewd

canvas

1. (n.) a piece of cloth on which an artist paints
2. (v.) to inspect

capacious

(adj.) spacious

capitulate

(v.) to surrender

capricious

(adj.) subject to whim

captivate

(v.) to get the attention of

carouse

(v.) to party

carp

(v.) to annoy

catalog

(v.) to list

catalyze

(v.) to inspire

caucus

(n.) a meeting held by people with the same goal

caustic

(adj.) bitter, biting

cavort

(v.) to behave boisterously

censure

1. (n.) harsh criticism
2. (v.) to rebuke formally

cerebral

(adj.) related to the intellect

chaos

(n.) absolute disorder

chastise

(v.) to criticize severely

cherish

(v.) to feel or show affection toward something

chide

(v.) to voice disapproval

choreography

(n.) the arrangement of dances

chronicle

(n.) a written history

chronological

(adj.) arranged in order of time

circuitous

(adj.) roundabout

circumlocution

(n.) indirect and wordy language

circumscribed

(adj.) marked off, bounded

circumspect

(adj.) cautious

circumvent

(v.) to get around

clairvoyant

(adj.) able to perceive things that normal people cannot

clamor

1. (n.) loud noise
2. (v.) to loudly insist

clandestine

(adj.) secret

cleave

1. (v.) to divide into parts
2. (v.) to stick together firmly

clemency

(n.) mercy

clergy

(n.) members of Christian holy orders

cloying

(adj.) sickeningly sweet

coagulate

(v.) to thicken, clot

coalesce

(v.) to fuse into a whole

cobbler

(n.) a person who makes or repairs shoes

coerce

(v.) to make somebody do something by force or threat

cogent

(adj.) intellectually convincing

cognizant

(adj.) aware

coherent

(adj.) logically consistent

collateral

1. (adj.) secondary
2. (n.) security for a debt

colloquial

(adj.) characteristic of informal conversation

collusion

(n.) conspiracy

colossus

(n.) something gigantic

combustion

(n.) the act or process of burning

commendation

(n.) a notice of approval or recognition

commensurate

(adj.) corresponding in size or amount

commodious

(adj.) roomy

compelling

(adj.) forceful, demanding attention

compensate

(v.) to make an appropriate payment for something

complacency

(n.) self-satisfied ignorance of danger

complement

(v.) to complete

compliant

(adj.) ready to adapt oneself to another's wishes

complicit

(adj.) being an accomplice in a wrongful act

compliment

(n.) an expression of esteem or approval

compound

1. (v.)to combine parts
2. (n.) a walled area containing a group of buildings

comprehensive

(adj.) including everything

compress

(v.) to apply pressure

compunction

(n.) distress caused by feeling guilty

concede

(v.) to accept as valid

conciliatory

(adj.) friendly, agreeable

concise

(adj.) brief and direct in expression

concoct

(v.) to fabricate

concomitant

(adj.) accompanying in a subordinate fashion

concord

(n.) harmonious agreement

condolence

(n.) an expression of sympathy

condone

(v.) to deliberately overlook

conduit

(n.) a pipe or channel through which something passes

confection

(n.) a sweet food

confidant

(n.) a person entrusted with secrets

conflagration

(n.) great fire

confluence

(n.) a gathering together

conformist

(n.) one who behaves the same as others

confound

(v.) to frustrate, confuse

congeal

(v.) to thicken into a solid

congenial

(adj.) pleasantly agreeable

congregation

(n.) a gathering of people, especially for religious services

congruity

(n.) the quality of being in agreement

connive

(v.) to scheme

consecrate

(v.) to dedicate something to a holy purpose

consensus

(n.) an agreement of opinion

consign

(v.) to give something over to another's care

consolation

(n.) an act of comforting

consonant

(adj.) in harmony

constituent

(n.) an essential part

constrain

(v.) to forcibly restrict

construe

(v.) to interpret

consummate

(v.) to complete a deal

consumption

(n.) the act of consuming

contemporaneous

(adj.) existing during the same time

contentious

(adj.) having a tendency to quarrel or dispute

contravene

(v.) to contradict

contrite

(adj.) eager to be forgiven

contusion

(n.) injury

conundrum

(n.) puzzle, problem

convene

(v.) to call together

convention

1. (n.) an assembly of people
2. (n.) a custom

convivial

(adj.) characterized by feasting, drinking, merriment

convoluted

(adj.) intricate

copious

(adj.) abundant

cordial

(adj.) affectionate

coronation

(n.) the act of crowning

corpulence

(adj.) extreme fatness

corroborate

(v.) to support with evidence

corrosive

(adj.) having the tendency to erode or eat away

cosmopolitan

(adj.) sophisticated, worldly

counteract

(v.) to neutralize

coup

1. (n.) a brilliant, unexpected act
2. (n.) the overthrow of a government and assumption of authority

covet

(v.) to desire enviously

covert

(adj.) secretly engaged in

credulity

(n.) readiness to believe

crescendo

(n.) a steady increase in intensity or volume

criteria

(n.) standards by which something is judged

culmination

(n.) the climax toward which something progresses

culpable

(adj.) deserving blame

cultivate

(v.) to improve

cumulative

(adj.) increasing

cunning

(adj.) sly

cupidity

(n.) greed

cursory

(adj.) brief to the point of being superficial

curt

(adj.) abruptly and rudely short

curtail

(v.) to lessen

daunting

(adj.) intimidating

dearth

(n.) a lack

debacle

(n.) a disastrous failure

debase

(v.) to lower the quality or esteem of something

debauch

(v.) to corrupt by means of sensual pleasures

debunk

(v.) to expose the falseness of something

decorous

(adj.) socially proper

decry

(v.) to criticize openly

deface

(v.) to ruin or injure something's appearance

defamatory

(adj.) harmful toward another's reputation

defer

1. (v.) to postpone something
2. (v.) to yield to another's wisdom

deferential

(adj.) showing respect for another's authority

defile

(v.) to make unclean

deft

(adj.) skillful

defunct

(adj.) no longer used or existing

delegate

(v.) to hand over responsibility for something

deleterious

(adj.) harmful

deliberate

(adj.) intentional

delineate

(v.) to describe, outline, shed light on

demagogue

(n.) a leader who appeals to a people's prejudices

demarcation

(n.) the marking of boundaries or categories

demean

(v.) to lower the status or stature of something

demure

(adj.) quiet, modest, reserved

denigrate

(v.) to belittle

denounce

(v.) to criticize publicly

deplore

(v.) to feel or express sorrow, disapproval

depravity

(n.) wickedness

deprecate

(v.) to belittle

derelict

(adj.) abandoned, run-down

deride

(v.) to laugh at mockingly

derivative

(adj.) taken directly from a source

desecrate

(v.) to violate the sacredness of a thing or place

desiccated

(adj.) dried up

desolate

(adj.) lifeless

despondent

(adj.) feeling hopeless

despot

(n.) one who has total power and rules brutally

destitute

(adj.) impoverished

deter

(v.) to discourage

devious

(adj.) deceitful

dialect

(n.) a variation of a language

diaphanous

(adj.) light, airy, transparent

didactic

1. (adj.) intended to instruct
2. (adj.) overly moralistic

diffident

(adj.) shy, quiet, modest

diffuse

(v.) to scatter

dilatory

(adj.) causing delay

diligent

(adj.) showing care in doing one's work

diminutive

(adj.) small

dirge

(n.) a mournful song

disaffected

(adj.) rebellious

disavow

(v.) to deny knowledge of or responsibility for

discern

(v.) to detect

disclose

(v.) to reveal

discomfit

(v.) to thwart

discordant

(adj.) not agreeing

discrepancy

(n.) difference, failure of things to correspond

discretion

1. (n.) the quality of being reserved in speech or action
2. (n.) good judgment

discursive

(adj.) lacking order

disdain

1. (v.) to scorn

disgruntled

(adj.) upset

disheartened

(adj.) feeling a loss of spirit or morale

disparage

(v.) to criticize

disparate

(adj.) sharply differing

dispatch

(v.) to send off to accomplish a duty

dispel

(v.) to scatter

disperse

(v.) to scatter

disrepute

(n.) a state of being held in low regard

dissemble

(v.) to conceal

disseminate

(v.) to spread widely

dissent

(v.) to disagree

dissipate

1. (v.) to disappear
2. (v.) to waste

dissonance

(n.) lack of harmony or consistency

dissuade

(v.) to persuade someone not to do something

distend

(v.) to swell out

dither

(v.) to be indecisive

divine

(adj.) exceedingly wonderful

divisive

(adj.) causing dissent

divulge

(v.) to reveal something secret

docile

(adj.) easily taught or trained

dogmatic

(adj.) aggressively and arrogantly certain about unproved principles

dormant

(adj.) temporarily inactive

dour

(adj.) stern

dubious

(adj.) doubtful

duplicity

(n.) crafty dishonesty

duress

(n.) hardship, threat

dynamic

(adj.) actively changing

ebullient

(adj.) extremely lively

eclectic

(adj.) consisting of a diverse variety of elements

ecstatic

(adj.) intensely and overpoweringly happy

edict

(n.) an order, decree

efface

(v.) to obliterate

effervescent

(adj.) bubbly, lively

efficacious

(adj.) effective

effrontery

(n.) impudence

effulgent

(adj.) radiant

egregious

(adj.) extremely bad

elaborate

(adj.) complex

elated

(adj.) overjoyed

elegy

(n.) a speech given in honor of a dead person

elicit

(v.) to draw out, evoke

eloquent

(adj.) expressive, moving

elucidate

(v.) to clarify

elude

(v.) to escape

emaciated

(adj.) very thin

embellish

(v.) to decorate

embezzle

(v.) to steal money by falsifying records

emend

(v.) to correct or revise a written text

eminent

1. (adj.) prominent
2. (adj.) standing out, conspicuous

emollient

(adj.) soothing

emote

(v.) to express emotion

empathy

(n.) sensitivity to another's feelings as if they were one's own

empirical

1. (adj.) based on observation or experience
2. (adj.) capable of being proved or disproved by experiment

emulate

(v.) to imitate

enamor

(v.) to fill with love

encore

(n.) the audience's demand for a repeat performance (and artist's performance)

encumber

(v.) to burden

enervate

(v.) to weaken

enfranchise

(v.) to grant the vote to

engender

(v.) to create,

enigmatic

(adj.) mystifying

enmity

(n.) hostility

ennui

(n.) boredom, weariness

entail

(v.) to include as a necessary step

enthrall

(v.) to charm

ephemeral

(adj.) short-lived

epistolary

(adj.) relating to or contained in letters

epitome

(n.) a perfect example

equanimity

(n.) composure

equivocal

(adj.) ambiguous, uncertain

erudite

(adj.) learned

eschew

(v.) to shun, avoid

esoteric

(adj.) understood by only a select few

espouse

(v.) to support

ethereal

(adj.) heavenly

etymology

(n.) the history of words (origin and development)

euphoric

(adj.) elated

evanescent

(adj.) fleeting

evince

(v.) to show

exacerbate

(v.) to make more violent

exalt

(v.) to glorify

exasperate

(v.) to irritate

excavate

(v.) to dig out of the ground and remove

exculpate

(v.) to free from guilt or blame

excursion

(n.) a trip

execrable

(adj.) detestable

exhort

(v.) to urge

exigent

(adj.) urgent

exonerate

(v.) to free from guilt or blame

exorbitant

(adj.) excessive

expedient

(adj.) advantageous

expiate

(v.) to make amends for

expunge

(v.) to obliterate

expurgate

(v.) to remove offensive or incorrect parts, usually of a book

extant

(adj.) existing

extol

(v.) to praise, revere

extraneous

(adj.) irrelevant

extricate

(v.) to disentangle

exult

(v.) to rejoice

fabricate

(v.) to make up

façade

1. (n.) the wall of a building
2. (n.) a deceptive appearance or attitude

facile

(adj.) easy

fallacious

(adj.) misleading

fastidious

(adj.) meticulous

fathom

(v.) to understand

fatuous

(adj.) foolish

fecund

(adj.) fruitful

felicitous

1. (adj.) well suited
2. (adj.) delightful

feral

(adj.) wild

fervent

(adj.) passionate, ardent

fetid

(adj.) having a foul odor

fetter

(v.) to restrain

fickle

(adj.) shifting in character

fidelity

(n.) loyalty

figurative

(adj.) symbolic

flabbergasted

(adj.) astounded

flaccid

(adj.) limp

flagrant

(adj.) offensive

florid

(adj.) flowery, ornate

flout

(v.) to disobey openly

foil

(v.) to thwart

forage

(v.) to rummage for food

forbearance

(n.) toleration

forestall

(v.) to prevent, delay

forlorn

(adj.) abandoned, hopeless

forsake

(v.) to give up

fortitude

(n.) strength

fortuitous

(adj.) happening by chance, often lucky

forum

(n.) a medium for discussion

foster

(v.) to promote

fractious

(adj.) troublesome, irritable

fraught

(adj.) filled or accompanied with

frenetic

(adj.) hectic

frivolous

(adj.) of little importance

frugal

(adj.) thrifty,

furtive

(adj.) secretive, sly

garish

(adj.) gaudy, in bad taste

garrulous

(adj.) talkative

genial

(adj.) friendly

gluttony

(n.) overindulgence in food or drink

goad

(v.) to incite to action

gourmand

(n.) someone fond of eating and drinking

grandiloquence

(n.) pompous language

grandiose

(adj.) on an exaggerated scale

gratuitous

(adj.) uncalled for

gregarious

(adj.) sociable

grievous

(adj.) hurtful

guile

(n.) deceitful

hackneyed

(adj.) unoriginal, trite

hallowed

(adj.) revered

hapless

(adj.) unlucky

harangue

(n.) a ranting speech

hardy

(adj.) robust, capable of surviving through adverse conditions

harrowing

(adj.) greatly distressing

haughty

(adj.) disdainfully proud

hedonist

(n.) one who believes pleasure should be the primary pursuit of humans

hegemony

(n.) domination over others

heinous

(adj.) shockingly wicked

heterogeneous

(adj.) diverse in character

hiatus

(n.) a break in duration or continuity

hierarchy

(n.) a system with ranked groups

hypocrisy

(n.) pretending to believe what one does not

hypothetical

(adj.) assumed true, but unproven

iconoclast

(n.) one who attacks common beliefs or institutions

idiosyncratic

(adj.) highly individualized

idolatrous

(adj.) excessively worshipping one object or person

ignominious

(adj.) humiliating

illicit

(adj.) forbidden

immerse

(v.) to absorb,

immutable

(adj.) not changeable

impassive

(adj.) stoic

impeccable

(adj.) flawless

impecunious

(adj.) poor

imperative

1. (adj.) necessary
2. (n.) a command

imperious

(adj.) commanding

impertinent

(adj.) rude

impervious

(adj.) impenetrable

impetuous

(adj.) rash

impinge

1. (v.) to impact
2. (v.) to encroach, infringe

implacable

(adj.) incapable of being appeased

implement

1. (n.) an instrument, utensil, tool
2. (v.) to put into effect

implicate

(v.) to incriminate, accuse

implicit

(adj.) implied

impregnable

(adj.) resistant to capture or penetration

impudent

(adj.) insolent

impute

(v.) to blame

inane

(adj.) silly

inarticulate

(adj.) incapable of expressing oneself clearly through speech

incarnate

(adj.) existing in the flesh

incendiary

1. (n.) a person who agitates
2. (adj.) inflammatory

incessant

(adj.) unending

inchoate

(adj.) formless

incisive

(adj.) clear, sharp, direct

inclination

(n.) a tendency, propensity

incontrovertible

(adj.) indisputable

incorrigible

(adj.) incapable of correction, delinquent

increment

(n.) an enlargement

incumbent

1. (n.) one who holds an office
2. (adj.) obligatory

indefatigable

(adj.) incapable of defeat, failure, decay

indigenous

(adj.) originating in a region

indigent

(adj.) very poor, impoverished

indignation

(n.) anger sparked by something unjust

indolent

(adj.) lazy

indomitable

(adj.) not capable of being conquered

induce

(v.) to bring about, stimulate

ineffable

(adj.) unspeakable

inept

(adj.) not suitable

inexorable

(adj.) incapable of being persuaded or placated

inextricable

(adj.) hopelessly tangled

infamy

(n.) notoriety, ill repute

infusion

(n.) an injection of one substance into another

ingenious

(adj.) clever, resourceful

ingenuous

(adj.) innocent and candid

inhibit

(v.) to prevent, restrain, stop

inimical

(adj.) hostile

iniquity

(n.) wickedness

injunction

(n.) an order of official warning

innate

(adj.) inborn, native

innocuous

(adj.) harmless

innovate

(v.) to do something in an unprecedented way

innuendo

(n.) an insinuation

inoculate

(v.) to vaccinate

inquisitor

(n.) one who inquires, especially in a hostile manner

insatiable

(adj.) incapable of being satisfied

insidious

(adj.) appealing but secretly harmful

insinuate

(v.) to suggest indirectly

insipid

(adj.) boring

insolent

(adj.) rude, arrogant

instigate

(v.) to urge

insular

1. (adj.) narrow-minded
2. (adj.) tight-knit

insurgent

(n.) one who rebels

integral

(adj.) necessary for completeness

interject

(v.) to insert between other things

interlocutor

(n.) someone who participates in a dialogue or conversation

interminable

(adj.) without possibility of end

intimation

(n.)an indirect suggestion

intractable

(adj.) unmanageable

intransigent

(adj.) refusing to compromise

intrepid

(adj.) brave in the face of danger

inundate

(v.) to flood with abundance

inure

(v.) to cause someone or something to become accustomed to a situation

invective

(n.) an angry verbal attack

inveterate

(adj.) stubbornly established by habit

inviolable

(adj.) secure from assault

irascible

(adj.) easily angered

iridescent

(adj.) showing rainbow colors

irreverence

(n.) disrespect

irrevocable

(adj.) incapable of being taken back

jubilant

(adj.) extremely joyful

judicious

(adj.) having or exercising sound judgment

juxtaposition

(n.) the act of placing two things next to each other for implicit comparison

knell

(n.) the solemn sound of a bell, often indicating a death

kudos

(n.) praise for an achievement

laceration

(n.) a cut, tear

laconic

(adj.) terse in speech or writing

languid

(adj.) sluggish

larceny

(n.) obtaining another's property by theft or trickery

largess

(n.) the generous giving of lavish gifts

latent

(adj.) hidden, but capable of being exposed

laudatory

(adj.) expressing admiration or praise

lavish

(adj.) given without limits

legerdemain

(n.) deception

lenient

(adj.) demonstrating tolerance or gentleness

lethargic

(adj.) in a state of sluggishness or apathy

liability

1. (n.) something for which one is legally responsible, usually involving a disadvantage or risk
2. (n.) a handicap,

libertarian

(adj.) advocating principles of liberty and free will

licentious

(adj.) displaying a lack of moral or legal restraints

limpid

(adj.) clear

linchpin

(n.) something that holds separate parts together

lithe

(adj.) graceful, flexible

litigant

(n.) someone engaged in a lawsuit

lucid

(adj.) clear

luminous

(adj.) brightly shining

lurid

(adj.) sensational

maelstrom

(n.) a destructive whirlpool which rapidly sucks in objects

magnanimous

(adj.) noble, generous

malediction

(n.) a curse

malevolent

(adj.) wanting harm to befall others

malleable

(adj.) capable of being shaped

mandate

(n.) an authoritative command

manifest

(adj.) easily understandable

manifold

(adj.) diverse, varied

maudlin

(adj.) weakly sentimental

maverick

(n.) an independent person

mawkish

(adj.) characterized by sick sentimentality

maxim

(n.) a common saying expressing a principle of conduct

meager

(adj.) deficient in size or quality

medley

(n.) a mixture of differing things

mendacious

(adj.) having a lying, false character

mercurial

(adj.) characterized by rapid change

meritorious

(adj.) worthy of esteem or reward

metamorphosis

(n.) the change of form, shape, substance

meticulous

(adj.) extremely careful with details

mitigate

(v.) to alleviate

moderate

(adj.) not extreme

modicum

(n.) a small amount of something

modulate

(v.) to pass from one state to another, especially in music

mollify

(v.) to soften in temper

morass

(n.) a wet swampy bog
-- figuratively: something that traps and confuses

mores

(n.) the morals of a group of people

morose

(adj.) gloomy or sullen

multifarious

(adj.) having great diversity

mundane

1. (adj.) concerned with the world rather than with heaven
2. (adj.) commonplace

munificence

(n.) generosity in giving

mutable

(adj.) able to change

myriad

(adj.) consisting of a very great number

nadir

(n.) the lowest point of something

nascent

(adj.) in the process of coming into existence

nebulous

(adj.) cloudy

nefarious

(adj.) heinously villainous

negligent

(adj.) neglectful

neophyte

(n.) someone who is inexperienced

nocturnal

(adj.) relating to or occurring during the night

noisome

(adj.) unpleasant, especially to the sense of smell

nomadic

(adj.) wandering from place to place

nominal

(adj.) insignificant

nonchalant

(adj.) indifference

nondescript

(adj.) lacking a distinctive character

notorious

(adj.) widely and unfavorably known

novice

(n.) a beginner

noxious

(adj.) harmful

nuance

(n.) a slight variation in meaning, tone, expression

nurture

(v.) to assist the development of

obdurate

(adj.) unyielding to persuasion

obfuscate

(v.) to render incomprehensible

oblique

(adj.) diverging from a straight line or course

oblivious

(adj.) lacking consciousness or awareness of something

obscure

(adj.) unclear, partially hidden

obsequious

(adj.) excessively compliant

obsolete

(adj.) no longer used

obstinate

(adj.) stubborn

obstreperous

(adj.) noisy

obtuse

(adj.) lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect

odious

(adj.) instilling hatred

officious

(adj.) offering one's services when they are neither wanted nor needed

ominous

(adj.) foreboding evil

onerous

(adj.) burdensome

opulent

(adj.) characterized by rich abundance verging on ostentation

oration

(n.) a speech delivered in a formal manner

ornate

(adj.) highly elaborate

orthodox

(adj.) conventional

oscillate

(v.) to sway from one side to the other

ostensible

(adj.) appearing as such

ostentatious

(adj.) excessively showy

ostracism

(n.) exclusion from a group

pacific

(adj.) soothing

palatable

(adj.) agreeable to the taste

palette

(adj.) a range of colors or qualities

palliate

(v.) to reduce the severity of

pallid

(adj.) lacking color

panacea

(n.) a remedy for all ills

paradigm

(n.) a perfect model

paradox

(n.) an apparently contradictory statement that is perhaps true

paragon

(n.) a model of excellence

paramount

(adj.) greatest in importance, rank, character

pariah

(n.) an outcast

parody

(n.) a satirical imitation

parsimony

(n.) frugality

partisan

(n.) a follower

patent

(adj.) clear

pathology

(n.) a deviation from the normal

pathos

(n.) an emotion of sympathy

paucity

(adj.) small in quantity

pejorative

(adj.) derogatory

pellucid

(adj.) clear

penchant

(n.) a preference

penitent

(adj.) regretful

penultimate

(adj.) next to last

penurious

(adj.) stingy

perfidious

(adj.) disloyal

perfunctory

(adj.) showing little interest or enthusiasm

permeate

(v.) to spread throughout

pernicious

(adj.) extremely destructive or harmful

perplex

(v.) to confuse

perspicacity

(adj.) shrewdness

pert

(adj.) flippant, bold

pertinacious

(adj.) stubbornly persistent

perusal

(n.) a careful examination

pervasive

(adj.) having the tendency to spread throughout

petulance

(n.) rudeness, irritability

philanthropic

(adj.) charitable, giving

phlegmatic

(adj.) uninterested, unresponsive

pillage

(v.) to seize or plunder (war)

pinnacle

(n.) the highest point

pithy

(adj.) concisely meaningful

pittance

(n.) a very small amount (money)

placate

(v.) to soothe

placid

(adj.) calm, peaceful

platitude

(n.) a cliché

plaudits

(n.) enthusiastic approval, applause

plausible

(adj.) believable, reasonable

plenitude

(n.) an abundance

plethora

(n.) an abundance

pliable

(adj.) flexible

poignant

(adj.) deeply affecting, moving

polemic

(n.) an aggressive argument against a specific opinion

portent

(n.) an omen

potable

(adj.) suitable for drinking

potentate

(n.) one who has great power

pragmatic

(adj.) practical

precipice

(n.) the face of a cliff

preclude

(v.) to prevent

precocious

(adj.) advanced

predilection

(n.) a preference or inclination for something

preponderance

(adj.) superiority in importance or quantity

prepossessing

(adj.) occupying the mind to the exclusion of other thoughts or feelings

presage

(n.) an omen

prescient

(adj.) to have foreknowledge of events

prescribe

(v.) to lay down a rule

presumptuous

(adj.) disrespectfully bold

pretense

(n.) an appearance or action intended to deceive

primeval

(adj.) original, ancient

privation

(n.) lacking basic necessities

probity

(n.) integrity

proclivity

(n.) a strong inclination toward something

procure

(v.) to obtain

profane

(adj.) indecent

profligate

(adj.) extravagant

profuse

(adj.) plentiful

promulgate

(v.) to proclaim

propagate

(v.) to spread out

propensity

(n.) an preference

propitious

(adj.) favorable

propriety

(n.) the quality or state of being proper

prosaic

(adj.) lacking liveliness

proscribe

(v.) to condemn

protean

1. (adj.) able to change shape
2. (adj.) displaying great variety

prowess

(n.) extraordinary ability

prudence

(n.) cautious

prurient

(adj.) possessing an extraordinary interest in sex

puerile

(adj.) immature

pugnacious

(adj.) quarrelsome

pulchritude

(n.) physical beauty

punctilious

(adj.) eager to follow rules

pungent

(adj.) having a pointed, sharp quality (smells)

punitive

(adj.) involving punishment

putrid

(adj.) rotten, foul

quagmire

(n.) a difficult situation

quaint

(adj.) charmingly old-fashioned

quandary

(n.) a perplexed, unsolvable state

quell

(v.) to control or diffuse a potentially explosive situation

querulous

(adj.) whiny

quixotic

(adj.) idealistic, impractical

quotidian

(adj.) daily

rail

(v.) to scold, protest

rancid

(adj.) having a terrible taste or smell

rancor

(n.) deep, bitter resentment

rapport

(n.) mutual understanding and harmony

rash

(adj.) hasty

raucous

(adj.) loud, boisterous

raze

(v.) to demolish

rebuke

(v.) to scold

recalcitrant

(adj.) defiant, unapologetic

recapitulate

(v.) to sum up, repeat

reciprocate

(v.) to give in return

reclusive

(adj.) solitary

reconcile

1. (v.) to return to harmony
2. (v.) to make consistent with existing ideas

rectitude

(n.) extreme morality

redoubtable

1. (adj.) formidable
2. (adj.) commanding respect

refract

(v.) to distort, change

refurbish

(v.) to restore, clean up

refute

(v.) to prove wrong

regurgitate

1. (v.) to vomit
2. (v.) to throw back exactly

relegate

(v.) to assign to the proper place

relish

(v.) to enjoy

remedial

(adj.) intended to repair gaps in students' basic knowledge

remiss

(adj.) negligent

renovate

1. (v.) restore to original state
2. (v.) to enlarge and make prettier (house)

renown

(n.) honor, acclaim

renunciation

(n.) to reject

repentant

(adj.) penitent, sorry

replete

(adj.) full, abundant

repose

(v.) to rest

reprehensible

(adj.) deserving rebuke

reprieve

(n.) a temporary delay of punishment

reproach

(v.) to scold

reprobate

(adj.) evil,

reprove

(v.) to scold

repudiate

(v.) to reject

repulse

1. (v.) to disgust
2. (v.) to push back

reputable

(adj.) of good reputation

requisition

(n.) a demand for goods, usually made by an authority

rescind

(v.) to take back

reservoir

1. (n.) reserves
2. (n.) a body of water used for storing water

resilient

(adj.) able to recover from misfortune; able to withstand adversity

resolute

(adj.) determined

resolve

1. (v.) to find a solution
2. (v.) to firmly decide

respite

(n.) a break

resplendent

(adj.) shiny

restitution

(n.) restoration to the rightful owner

restive

(adj.) stubborn, impatient

retract

(v.) to withdraw

revel

(v.) to enjoy intensely

revere

(v.) to esteem

revoke

(v.) to take back

rhapsodize

(v.) to engage in excessive enthusiasm

ribald

(adj.) crudely humorous

rife

(adj.) abundant

ruminate

(v.) to contemplate

ruse

(n.) a trick

saccharine

(adj.) sickeningly sweet

sacrosanct

(adj.) holy

sagacity

(n.) shrewdness

salient

(adj.) significant

salutation

(n.) a greeting

salve

(n.) a soothing balm

sanctimonious

(adj.) giving a hypocritical appearance of piety

sanguine

(adj.) optimistic

satiate

(v.) to satisfy excessively

scathing

(adj.) sharp, critical, hurtful

scintillating

(adj.) sparkling

scrupulous

(adj.) painstakingly careful

scurrilous

(adj.) vulgar

sedentary

(adj.) settled

semaphore

(n.) a visual signal

seminal

(adj.) original, important

sensual

(adj.) involving sensory gratification

sensuous

(adj.) involving sensory gratification

serendipity

(n.) luck, finding good things without looking for them

serene

(adj.) calm

servile

(adj.) subservient

sinuous

(adj.) lithe

sobriety

(n.) calm

solicitous

(adj.) attentive

solipsistic

(adj.) believing that oneself is all that exists

soluble

(adj.) able to dissolve

solvent

1. (n.) a substance that can dissolve others
2. (adj.) able to pay debts

somnolent

(adj.) sleepy

sophomoric

(adj.) immature

sovereign

(adj.) having absolute authority in a certain realm

speculative

(adj.) not based in fact

spurious

(adj.) false but designed to seem plausible

stagnate

(v.) to remain inactive, not develop

staid

(adj.) serious

stingy

(adj.) not generous

stoic

(adj.) unaffected by passion or feeling

stolid

(adj.) unemotional

strenuous

(adj.) requiring tremendous energy or stamina

strident

(adj.) harsh, loud

stupefy

(v.) to astonish

subjugate

(v.) to subdue

sublime

(adj.) lofty, grand

submissive

(adj.) easily yielding to authority

succinct

(adj.) precise

superfluous

(adj.) exceeding what is necessary

surfeit

(n.) an overabundant supply

surmise

(v.) to infer with little evidence

surreptitious

(adj.) stealthy

surrogate

(n.) one acting in place of another

swarthy

(adj.) of dark color or complexion

sycophant

(n.) one who flatters for self-gain

tacit

(adj.) expressed without words

taciturn

(adj.) not inclined to talk

tangential

(adj.) divergent

tantamount

(adj.) equivalent in value or significance

tedious

(adj.) boring

temerity

(n.) recklessness

temperance

(n.) moderation in action or thought

tenable

(adj.) able to be maintained

tenuous

(adj.) having little substance or strength

terrestrial

(adj.) relating to the land

timorous

(adj.) timid

tirade

(n.) a long speech marked by harsh or biting language

toady

(n.) one who flatters in the hope of gaining favor

tome

(n.) a large book

torpid

(adj.) lethargic

torrid

(adj.) passionate

tortuous

(adj.) winding

tractable

(adj.) easily controlled

tranquil

(adj.) calm

transgress

(v.) to violate, go over a limit

transient

(adj.) passing into and out of existence

transmute

(v.) to change in form

travesty

(n.) a grossly inferior imitation

tremulous

(adj.) fearful

trenchant

(adj.) effective

trepidation

(n.) fear

trite

(adj.) overused

truculent

1. (adj.) ready to fight
2. (adj.) cruel

truncate

(v.) to shorten

turgid

1. (adj.) swollen
2. (adj) excessively embellished in style or language

turpitude

(n.) moral corruption

ubiquitous

(adj.) widespread

umbrage

(n.) offense

uncanny

(adj.) of supernatural character

unctuous

(adj.) smooth or greasy

undulate

(v.) to move in waves

upbraid

(v.) to criticize or scold severely

usurp

(v.) to seize by force

utilitarian

(adj.) relating to usefulness

utopia

(n.) an imaginary place of perfection

vacillate

(v.) to fluctuate, hesitate

vacuous

(adj.) lack of content or ideas

validate

(v.) to confirm

vapid

(adj.) dull

variegated

(adj.) diversified

vehemently

(adv.) marked by intense force or emotion

veneer

(n.) a façade

venerable

(adj.) deserving of respect because of age or achievement

venerate

(v.) to regard with respect

veracity

(n.) accuracy

verbose

(adj.) wordy

verdant

(adj.) green

vestige

(n.) a trace of something lost or vanished

vex

(v.) to confuse or annoy

vicarious

(adj.) experiencing through another

vicissitude

(n.) event that occurs by chance

vigilant

(adj.) alert

vilify

(v.) to defame

vindicate

1. (v.) to avenge
2. (v) to free

vindictive

(adj.) vengeful

virtuoso

(n.) one who excels in an art

viscous

(adj.) syrupy

vitriolic

(adj.) having a caustic quality

vituperate

(v.) to scold angrily

vivacious

(adj.) lively

vocation

(n.) profession

vociferous

(adj.) loud

wallow

(v.) to remain helpless

wane

(v.) to decrease in size

wanton

(adj.) undisciplined

whimsical

(adj.) full of whims (The whimsical little girl liked to pretend that she was an elvin princess.)

wily

(adj.) crafty

winsome

(adj.) charming

wistful

(adj.) full of yearning

wizened

(adj.) dry

wrath

(n.) vengeful anger

yoke

(v.) to join

zealous

(adj.) filled with eagerness in pursuit of something

zenith

(n.) the highest point

zephyr

(n.) a gentle breeze