Sophisticated words to improve vocabulary
Flashcard 1
Sentence: His comment felt completely gratuitous, adding nothing helpful to the discussion.
Definition: Done without good reason; uncalled for.
Flashcard 2
Sentence: She gave me a malevolent look, like she'd been waiting for me to fail.
Definition: Having or showing a wish to do evil to others.
Flashcard 3
Sentence: The morning light was so effulgent it made the entire room glow.
Definition: Shining brightly; radiant.
Flashcard 4
Sentence: His ingratiating tone made it obvious he wanted something.
Definition: Intended to gain approval or favor; charming in a way that seems insincere.
Flashcard 5
Sentence: There was something unctuous in his compliments that made them feel insincere.
Definition: Excessively or insincerely flattering.
Flashcard 6
Sentence: His humor is so acerbic that people can’t tell if he’s joking or just being rude.
Definition: Sharp and biting, especially in tone or style.
Flashcard 7
Sentence: That was a callous response—he didn’t even try to be sympathetic.
Definition: Emotionally insensitive or unfeeling.
Flashcard 8
Sentence: She maintained an obdurate stance, refusing to yield even slightly.
Definition: Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.
Flashcard 9
Sentence: She made a cogent argument that completely changed my perspective.
Definition: Clear, logical, and convincing.
Flashcard 10
Sentence: His speech was so succinct—just a few words, but all of them powerful.
Definition: Brief and clearly expressed.
Flashcard 11
Sentence: Her capricious moods made it hard to predict how she’d react.
Definition: Given to sudden changes in mood or behavior; unpredictable.
Flashcard 12
Sentence: He carried himself with an inscrutable calm, revealing nothing of his true thoughts.
Definition: Impossible to understand or interpret; unreadable.
Flashcard 13
Sentence: The writing was recondite, full of obscure references and academic jargon.
Definition: Difficult to understand; dealing with complex or obscure subject matter.
Flashcard 14
Sentence: Her tone was dismissive, like she’d already decided you weren’t worth listening to.
Definition: Showing that something or someone is not worth considering.
Flashcard 15
Sentence: The dialogue was jejune, lacking substance and emotional depth.
Definition: Dull, simplistic, and superficial; lacking interest or maturity.
Flashcard 16
Sentence: She had a perspicacious eye for detail others overlooked.
Definition: Having a keen understanding and good judgment; mentally sharp.
Flashcard 17
Sentence: The lecture was soporific, and half the class struggled to stay awake.
Definition: Tending to cause sleep; boring or monotonous.
Flashcard 18
Sentence: Her trenchant observations cut straight through the noise of the discussion.
Definition: Sharp, penetrating, and insightful, often in expression or criticism.
Flashcard 19
Sentence: He gave a zealous defense of his beliefs, unshaken by criticism.
Definition: Showing great passion or enthusiasm for a cause or belief.
Flashcard 20
Sentence: The cathedral’s vastness was numinous, filled with a quiet sense of the divine.
Definition: Having a spiritual or mysterious quality; evoking a sense of awe or sacredness.