 | Term | Definition |
| |
alienated |
separate, drive apart |
| |
arbiter |
one chosen to judge or decide a disputed issue |
| |
bolster |
support, prop up OR strengthen, reinforce |
| |
candor |
honesty, openness |
| |
censure |
criticize sharply |
| |
convoluted |
complicated, intricate |
| |
deprecate |
express disapproval of |
| |
eclectic |
varied, wide-ranging |
| |
genre |
a special style, class, or category |
| |
inert |
sluggish, motionless, inactive |
| |
objective |
fair, detached, unbiased |
| |
reclamation |
the act of restoring something to a normal or useful condition |
| |
scruntinize |
examine closely and critically |
| |
solvent |
able to pay debts, financially sound OR dissolvable, dilutable |
| |
ambivalence |
contradictory, opposing |
| |
brevity |
shortness, conciseness (especially in writing or speaking) |
| |
coercion |
the use of force to get someone to do something |
| |
contempory |
modern, up to date OR exisiting during the same time |
| |
didactic |
instructive, educational |
| |
disingenuous |
dishonest, insincere, false |
| |
effervescent |
bubbly and excited |
| |
heed |
pay attention to, consider |
| |
infer |
conclude, deduce from evidence |
| |
lament |
grieve, mourn |
| |
modest |
humble, not boastful OR simple, plain, unpretentious OR moderate, not extravagant |
| |
ostentatious |
showy, flashy, overdone |
| |
patronizing |
condescending, smug, insulting |
| |
protract |
prolong, extend, drag out |
| |
acquired |
obtain, achieve, get |
| |
amenable |
agreeable, obediant |
| |
comprehensive |
thorough, covering in great detail, complete |
| |
concede |
surrender, give up |
| |
disparity |
inequality, difference, discrepancy |
| |
emaciated |
thin and wasted |
| |
emulate |
try to equal or excel through imitation, follow the example of |
| |
impassive |
unfeeling, emotionless, apathetic |
| |
impede |
obstruct, interfere with |
| |
inveterate |
firmly established, long standing OR chronic, continuous |
| |
mundane |
common, ordinary, routine |
| |
pacifist |
a person opposed to force or violence |
| |
profusion |
a great amount, overabundance |
| |
transitory |
temporary, brief, short-lived |
| |
anarchist |
a person who engages in activities aimed at the violent overthrow of an existing government, a rebel, a terrorist |
| |
conciliatory |
accommodating, soothing, pleasing |
| |
despot |
tyrant, dictator; harsh, authoritarian ruler |
| |
disputatious |
argumentative |
| |
enmity |
extreme hatred |
| |
ephermal |
temporary, short-lived |
| |
epic |
a heroic poem that celebrates a hero's deeds or achievements |
| |
implication |
a statement that hints or suggests something |
| |
incisive |
direct, perceptive, sharp |
| |
incongruous |
inconsistant, contradictory |
| |
philanthropist |
a person who gives money and time to good causes |
| |
pundit |
commentator, critic, analyst |
| |
refute |
disprove using argument or evidence, challenge |
| |
theoretical |
hypothetical, impractical, not based on fact or experience |
| |
arbitrary |
random, inconsistent, whimsical |
| |
concur |
agree |
| |
context |
background, frame of reference, surroundings |
| |
dictatorial |
domineering, tyrannical, authoritarian |
| |
disparage |
mock, ridicule, put down |
| |
eccentric |
unusual, odd, bizarre |
| |
explicit |
clearly expressed, specific |
| |
euphemism |
inoffensive expression used in place of an unpleasant one, delicate term, mild expression |
| |
inconsequential |
trivial, unimportant, insignificant |
| |
incorrigible |
uncontrollable, delinquent, beyond help |
| |
interminable |
endless, tediously long |
| |
ponderous |
heavy, burdensome, bulky |
| |
prosaic |
dull, ordinary, commonplace |
| |
timorous |
frightened, anxious, timid |
| |
assertion |
claim, declaration, contention |
| |
assimilation |
absorb and incorporate into one's thinking, adopt as one's own, incorporate, blend in |
| |
condone |
tolerate, excuse, overlook |
| |
cryptic |
puzzling, mysterious |
| |
dubious |
unconvinced, skeptical, doubtful |
| |
emigrate |
move away, migrate |
| |
equivocal |
vague, misleading |
| |
expedite |
hasten, speed up |
| |
fractious |
irritable, groucy, touchy |
| |
indict |
prosecute, charge |
| |
indifferent |
unconcerned, detached, unmoved |
| |
intractable |
unruly, unmanageable, headstrong |
| |
malice |
hatred, ill will |
| |
premonition |
a feeling that something is about to happen |
| |
alliance |
a formal agreement to work together closely or join together for a common cause, pact, treaty |
| |
audacious |
bold, daring, adventurous |
| |
conviction |
a strong belief, opinion, viewpoint |
| |
dogmatic |
biased, prejudiced, authoritative |
| |
duplicity |
deliberate deception in speech or conduct, dishonesty |
| |
extraneous |
nonessential, irrelevant |
| |
indolent |
lazy, slothful, lethargic |
| |
irascible |
easily annoyed, irritable |
| |
jurisprudence |
the study of law |
| |
misconception |
misunderstanding, mistaken notion, error |
| |
obscure |
unclear, vague, confusing OR unknown, unheard of, insignificant OR faint, shadowy, indistinct |
| |
profound |
deep, thoughtful, wise OR deeply felt, moving, sincere |
| |
transient |
temporary, short-lived, impermanent |
| |
trivial |
of little worth or importance |
| |
unprecedented |
unheard-of, extraordinary, unparalleled |
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