Test Vocabulary

The following is a list of high frequency vocabulary words found on multiple exams, such as the GRE and SAT. Click the megaphone to hear each word pronounced.

A |
B |
C |
D |
E |
F |
G |
H |
I |
J–L |
M–N |
O–P |
Q–R |
S |
T–Z

A


aberrant (adjective)

Markedly different from an accepted norm

aberration (noun)

Deviation from a right, customary, or prescribed course

abet (verb)

To aid, promote, or encourage the commission of (an offense)

abeyance (noun)

A state of suspension or temporary inaction

abjure (verb)

To recant, renounce, repudiate under oath

ablution (noun)

A washing or cleansing, especially of the body

abrogate (verb)

To abolish, repeal

abscond (verb)

To depart suddenly and secretly, as for the purpose of escaping arrest

abstemious (adjective)

Characterized by self denial or abstinence, as in the use of drink, food

abstruse (adjective)

Dealing with matters difficult to be understood

abut (verb)

To touch at the end or boundary line

accede (verb)

To agree

acquiesce (verb)

To comply; submit

acrid (adjective)

Harshly pungent or bitter

acumen (noun)

Quickness of intellectual insight, or discernment; keenness of discrimination

adage (noun)

An old saying

adamant (noun)

Any substance of exceeding hardness or impenetrability

admonition (noun)

Gentle reproof

adumbrate (verb)

To represent beforehand in outline or by emblem

affable (adjective)

Easy to approach

aggrandize (verb)

To cause to appear greatly

aggravate (verb)

To make heavier, worse, or more burdensome

agile (adjective)

Able to move or act quickly, physically, or mentally

agog (adjective)

In eager desire

alacrity (noun)

Cheerful willingness

alcove (noun)

A covered recess connected with or at the side of a larger room

alleviate (verb)

To make less burdensome or less hard to bear

aloof (adjective)

Not in sympathy with or desiring to associate with others

amalgamate (verb)

To mix or blend together in a homogeneous body

ambidextrous (adjective)

Having the ability of using both hands with equal skill or ease

ambiguous (adjective)

Having a double meaning

ameliorate (verb)

To relieve, as from pain or hardship

anathema (noun)

Anything forbidden, as by social usage

animadversion (noun)

The utterance of criticism or censure

animosity (noun)

Hatred

antediluvian (adjective)

Of or pertaining to the times, things, events before the great flood in the days of Noah

antidote (noun)

Anything that will counteract or remove the effects of poison, disease, or the like

aplomb (noun)

Confidence; coolness

apocryphal (adjective)

Of doubtful authority or authenticity

apogee (noun)

The climax

apostate (adjective)

False

apotheosis (noun)

Deification

apparition (noun)

Ghost

appease (verb)

To soothe by quieting anger or indignation

apposite (adjective)

Appropriate

apprise (verb)

To give notice to; to inform

approbation (noun)

Sanction

arboreal (adjective)

Of or pertaining to a tree or trees

ardor (noun)

Intensity of passion or affection

argot (noun)

A specialized vocabulary peculiar to a particular group

arrant (adjective)

Notoriously bad

ascetic (adjective)

Given to severe self-denial and practicing excessive abstinence and devotion

ascribe (verb)

To assign as a quality or attribute

asperity (noun)

Harshness or roughness of temper

assiduous (adjective)

Unceasing; persistent

assuage (verb)

To cause to be less harsh, violent, or severe, as excitement, appetite, pain, or disease

astringent (adjective)

Harsh in disposition or character

astute (adjective)

Keen in discernment

atonement (noun)

Amends, reparation, or expiation made from wrong or injury

audacious (adjective)

Fearless

augury (noun)

Omen

auspicious (adjective)

Favorable omen

austere (adjective)

Severely simple; unadorned

autocrat (noun)

Any one who claims or wields unrestricted or undisputed authority or influence

auxiliary (noun)

One who or that which aids or helps, especially when regarded as subsidiary or accessory

avarice (noun)

Passion for getting and keeping riches

aver (verb)

To avouch, justify or prove

aversion (noun)

A mental condition of fixed opposition to or dislike of some particular thing

avow (verb)

To declare openly

B


baleful (adjective)

Malignant

banal (adjective)

Commonplace

bask (verb)

To make warm by genial heat

beatify (verb)

To make supremely happy

bedaub (verb)

To smear over, as with something oily or sticky

bellicose (adjective)

Warlike

belligerent (adjective)

Manifesting a warlike spirit

benefactor (noun)

A doer of kindly and charitable acts

benevolence (noun)

Any act of kindness or well-doing

benign (adjective)

Good and kind of heart

berate (verb)

To scold severely

bewilder (verb)

To confuse the perceptions or judgment of

blandishment (noun)

Flattery intended to persuade

blatant (adjective)

Noisily or offensively loud or clamorous

blithe (adjective)

Joyous

boisterous (adjective)

Unchecked merriment or animal spirits

bolster (verb)

To support, as something wrong

bombast (noun)

Inflated or extravagant language, especially on unimportant subjects

boorish (adjective)

Rude

breach (noun)

The violation of official duty, lawful right, or a legal obligation

brittle (adjective)

Fragile

broach (verb)

To mention, for the first time

bumptious (adjective)

Full of offensive and aggressive self-conceit

buoyant (adjective)

Having the power or tendency to float or keep afloat

burnish (verb)

To make brilliant or shining

C


cabal (noun)

A number of persons secretly united for effecting by intrigue some private purpose

cacophony (noun)

A disagreeable, harsh, or discordant sound or combination of sounds or tones

cajole (verb)

To impose on or dupe by flattering speech

callow (adjective)

Without experience of the world

calumny (noun)

Slander

candid (adjective)

Straightforward

cant (verb)

To talk in a singsong, preaching tone with affected solemnity

capacious (adjective)

Roomy

capitulate (verb)

To surrender or stipulate terms

captious (adjective)

Hypercritical

castigate (verb)

To punish

cataract (noun)

Opacity of the lens of the eye resulting in complete or partial blindness

caustic (adjective)

Sarcastic and severe

censure (verb)

To criticize severely; also, an expression of disapproval

centurion (noun)

A captain of a company of one hundred infantry in the ancient Roman army

chagrin (noun)

Keen vexation, annoyance, or mortification, as at one’s failures or errors

chary (adjective)

Careful; wary; cautious

chicanery (noun)

The use of trickery to deceive

circumlocution (noun)

Indirect or roundabout expression

coddle (verb)

To treat as a baby or an invalid

coerce (verb)

To force

coeval (adjective)

Existing during the same period of time; also, a contemporary

cogent (adjective)

Appealing strongly to the reason or conscience

cogitate (verb)

Consider carefully and deeply; ponder

cognizant (adjective)

Taking notice

colloquial (adjective)

Pertaining or peculiar to common speech as distinguished from literary

collusion (noun)

A secret agreement for a wrongful purpose

comestible (adjective)

Fit to be eaten

commemorate (verb)

To serve as a remembrance of

complaisance (noun)

Politeness

complement (verb)

To make complete

comport (verb)

To conduct or behave (oneself)

compunction (noun)

Remorseful feeling

conceit (noun)

Self-flattering opinion

conciliatory (adjective)

Tending to reconcile

concord (noun)

Harmony

concur (verb)

To agree

condense (verb)

To abridge

conflagration (noun)

A great fire, as of many buildings, a forest, or the like

confluence (noun)

The place where streams meet

congeal (verb)

To coagulate

conjoin (verb)

To unite

connoisseur (noun)

A critical judge of art, especially one with thorough knowledge and sound judgment of art

console (verb)

To comfort

conspicuous (adjective)

Clearly visible

consternation (noun)

Panic

constrict (verb)

To bind

consummate (verb)

To bring to completion

contiguous (adjective)

Touching or joining at the edge or boundary

contrite (adjective)

Broken in spirit because of a sense of sin

contumacious (adjective)

Rebellious

copious (adjective)

Plenteous

cornucopia (noun)

The horn of plenty, symbolizing peace and prosperity

corporeal (adjective)

Of a material nature; physical

correlate (verb)

To put in some relation of connection or correspondence

corroboration (noun)

Confirmation

counterfeit (adjective)

Made to resemble something else

countervail (verb)

To offset

covert (adjective)

Concealed, especially for an evil purpose

cower (verb)

To crouch down tremblingly, as through fear or shame

crass (adjective)

Coarse or thick in nature or structure, as opposed to thin or fine

credulous (adjective)

Easily deceived

cupidity (noun)

Avarice

cursory (adjective)

Rapid and superficial

curtail (verb)

To cut off or cut short

cynosure (noun)

That to which general interest or attention is directed

D


dearth (noun)

Scarcity, as of something customary, essential,or desirable

defer (verb)

To delay or put off to some other time

deign (verb)

To deem worthy of notice or account

deleterious (adjective)

Hurtful, morally or physically

delineate (verb)

To represent by sketch or diagram

deluge (verb)

To overwhelm with a flood of water

demagogue (noun)

An unprincipled politician

denizen (noun)

Inhabitant

denouement (noun)

That part of a play or story in which the mystery is cleared up

deplete (verb)

To reduce or lessen, as by use, exhaustion, or waste

deposition (noun)

Testimony legally taken on interrogatories and reduced to writing, for use as evidence in court

deprave (verb)

To render bad, especially morally bad

deprecate (verb)

To express disapproval or regret for, with hope for the opposite

deride (verb)

To ridicule

derision (noun)

Ridicule

derivative (adjective)

Coming or acquired from some origin

descry (verb)

To discern

desiccant (noun)

Any remedy which, when applied externally, dries up or absorbs moisture, as that of wounds

desuetude (noun)

A state of disuse or inactivity

desultory (adjective)

Not connected with what precedes

deter (verb)

To frighten away

dexterity (noun)

Readiness, precision, efficiency, and ease in any physical activity or in any mechanical work

diaphanous (adjective)

Transparent

diatribe (noun)

A bitter or malicious criticism

didactic (adjective)

Pertaining to teaching

diffidence (noun)

Self-distrust

diffident (adjective)

Affected or possessed with self-distrust

dilate (verb)

To enlarge in all directions

dilatory (adjective)

Tending to cause delay

disallow (verb)

To withhold permission or sanction

discomfit (verb)

To put to confusion

disconcert (verb)

To disturb the composure of

disconsolate (adjective)

Hopelessly sad; also, saddening; cheerless

discountenance (verb)

To look upon with disfavor

discredit (verb)

To injure the reputation of

discreet (adjective)

Judicious

disheveled (adjective)

Disordered; disorderly; untidy

dissemble (verb)

To hide by pretending something different

disseminate (verb)

To sow or scatter abroad, as seed is sown

dissent (noun)

Disagreement

dissolution (noun)

A breaking up of a union of persons

distraught (adjective)

Bewildered

divulge (verb)

To tell or make known, as something previously private or secret

dogmatic (adjective)

Making statements without argument or evidence

dormant (adjective)

Being in a state of or resembling sleep

dubious (adjective)

Doubtful

duplicity (noun)

Double-dealing

E


earthenware (noun)

Anything made of clay and baked in a kiln or dried in the sun

ebullient (adjective)

Showing enthusiasm or exhilaration of feeling

edacious (adjective)

Given to eating

edible (adjective)

Suitable to be eaten

educe (verb)

To draw out

effete (adjective)

Exhausted, as having performed its functions

efficacy (noun)

The power to produce an intended effect as shown in the production of it

effrontery (noun)

Unblushing impudence

effulgence (noun)

Splendor

egregious (adjective)

Extreme

egress (noun)

Any place of exit

elegy (noun)

A lyric poem lamenting the dead

elicit (verb)

To educe or extract gradually or without violence

elucidate (verb)

To bring out more clearly the facts concerning

emaciate (verb)

To waste away in flesh

embellish (verb)

To make beautiful or elegant by adding attractive or ornamental features

embezzle (verb)

To misappropriate secretly

emblazon (verb)

To set forth publicly or in glowing terms

encomium (noun)

A formal or discriminating expression of praise

encumbrance (noun)

A burdensome and troublesome load

endemic (adjective)

Peculiar to some specified country or people

enervate (verb)

To render ineffective or inoperative

engender (verb)

To produce

engrave (verb)

To cut or carve in or upon some surface

enigma (noun)

A riddle

enmity (noun)

Hatred

entangle (verb)

To involve in difficulties, confusion, or complications

entreat (verb)

To ask for or request earnestly

Epicurean (adjective)

Indulging, ministering, or pertaining to daintiness of appetite

epithet (noun)

Word used adjectivally to describe some quality or attribute of is objects, as in “Father Aeneas”

epitome (noun)

A simplified representation

equable (adjective)

Equal and uniform; also, serene

equanimity (noun)

Evenness of mind or temper

equanimity (noun)

Calmness; composure

equilibrium (noun)

A state of balance

equivocal (adjective)

Ambiguous

equivocate (verb)

To use words of double meaning

eradicate (verb)

To destroy thoroughly

errant (adjective)

Roving or wandering, as in search of adventure or opportunity for gallant deeds

erratic (adjective)

Irregular

erroneous (adjective)

Incorrect

erudite (adjective)

Very-learned

eschew (verb)

To keep clear of

espy (verb)

To keep close watch

eulogy (noun)

A spoken or written laudation of a person’s life or character

euphonious (adjective)

Characterized by agreeableness of sound

evanescent (adjective)

Fleeting

evince (verb)

To make manifest or evident

evoke (verb)

To call or summon forth

exacerbate (verb)

To make more sharp, severe, or virulent

exculpate (verb)

To relieve of blame

exhaustive (adjective)

Thorough and complete in execution

exigency (noun)

A critical period or condition

exigency (noun)

State of requiring immediate action; also, an urgent situation; also, that which is required in a

exorbitant (adjective)

Going beyond usual and proper limits

expatiate (verb)

To speak or write at some length

expedient (adjective)

Contributing to personal advantage

expiate (verb)

To make satisfaction or amends for

explicate (verb)

To clear from involvement

expostulate (verb)

To discuss

expropriate (verb)

To deprive of possession; also, to transfer (another’s property) to oneself

extant (adjective)

Still existing and known

extempore (adverb)

Without studied or special preparation

extenuate (verb)

To diminish the gravity or importance of

extinct (adjective)

Being no longer in existence

extinguish (verb)

To render extinct

extirpate (verb)

To root out; to eradicate

extol (verb)

To praise in the highest terms

extort (verb)

To obtain by violence, threats, compulsion, or the subjection of another to some necessity

extraneous (adjective)

Having no essential relation to a subject

exuberance (noun)

Rich supply

F


facetious (adjective)

Amusing

facile (adjective)

Not difficult to do

factious (adjective)

Turbulent

fallacious (adjective)

Illogical

fatuous (adjective)

Idiotic

fawn (noun)

A young deer

feint (noun)

Any sham, pretense, or deceptive movement

felon (noun)

A criminal or depraved person

ferocity (noun)

Savageness

fervid (adjective)

Intense

fervor (noun)

Ardor or intensity of feeling

fidelity (noun)

Loyalty

finesse (noun)

Subtle contrivance used to gain a point

flamboyant (adjective)

Characterized by extravagance and in general by want of good taste

flippant (adjective)

Having a light, pert, trifling disposition

florid (adjective)

Flushed with red

flout (verb)

To treat with contempt

foible (noun)

A personal weakness or failing

foment (verb)

To nurse to life or activity; to encourage

foppish (adjective)

Characteristic of one who is unduly devoted to dress and the niceties of manners

forbearance (noun)

Patient endurance or toleration of offenses

forfeit (verb)

To lose possession of through failure to fulfill some obligation

forgery (noun)

Counterfeiting

forswear (verb)

To renounce upon oath

fragile (adjective)

Easily broken

frantic (adjective)

Frenzied

frugal (adjective)

Economical

fugacious (adjective)

Fleeting

fulminate (verb)

To cause to explode

fulsome (adjective)

Offensive from excess of praise or commendation

G


gainsay (verb)

To contradict; to deny

gamut (noun)

The whole range or sequence

garrulous (adjective)

Given to constant trivial talking

germane (adjective)

Relevant

gesticulate (verb)

To make gestures or motions, as in speaking, or in place of speech

glimmer (noun)

A faint, wavering, unsteady light

gossamer (adjective)

Flimsy

gourmand (noun)

A connoisseur in the delicacies of the table

grandiloquent (adjective)

Speaking in or characterized by a pompous or bombastic style

gregarious (adjective)

Sociable, outgoing

grievous (adjective)

Creating affliction

guile (noun)

Duplicity

gullible (adjective)

Credulous

H


halcyon (adjective)

Calm

harangue (noun)

A tirade

harbinger (noun)

One who or that which foreruns and announces the coming of any person or thing

head (adverb)

Precipitately, as in diving

heinous (adjective)

Odiously sinful

heresy (noun)

An opinion or doctrine subversive of settled beliefs or accepted principles

heterogeneous (adjective)

Consisting of dissimilar elements or ingredients of different kinds

hirsute (adjective)

Having a hairy covering

hoodwink (verb)

To deceive

hospitable (adjective)

Disposed to treat strangers or guests with generous kindness

hypocrisy (noun)

Extreme insincerity

I


iconoclast (noun)

An image-breaker

idiosyncrasy (noun)

A mental quality or habit peculiar to an individual

ignoble (adjective)

Low in character or purpose

ignominious (adjective)

Shameful

illicit (adjective)

Unlawful

imbroglio (noun)

A misunderstanding attended by ill feeling, perplexity, or strife

imbue (verb)

To dye; to instill profoundly

immaculate (adjective)

Without spot or blemish

imminent (adjective)

Dangerous and close at hand

immutable (adjective)

Unchangeable

impair (verb)

To cause to become less or worse

impassive (adjective)

Unmoved by or not exhibiting feeling

impecunious (adjective)

Having no money

impede (verb)

To be an obstacle or to place obstacles in the way of

imperative (adjective)

Obligatory

imperious (adjective)

Insisting on obedience

imperturbable (adjective)

Calm

impervious (adjective)

Impenetrable

impetuous (adjective)

Impulsive

impiety (noun)

Irreverence toward God

implacable (adjective)

Incapable of being pacified

implicate (verb)

To show or prove to be involved in or concerned

implicit (adjective)

Implied

importunate (adjective)

Urgent in character, request, or demand

importune (verb)

To harass with persistent demands or entreaties

impromptu (noun)

Anything done or said on the impulse of the moment

improvident (adjective)

Lacking foresight or thrift

impugn (verb)

To assail with arguments, insinuations, or accusations

impute (verb)

To attribute

inadvertent (adjective)

Accidental

inane (adjective)

Silly

incessant (adjective)

Unceasing

inchoate (adjective)

Incipient

incipient (adjective)

Initial

incite (verb)

To rouse to a particular action

incongruous (adjective)

Unsuitable for the time, place, or occasion

inculcate (verb)

To teach by frequent repetitions

indelible (adjective)

That can not be blotted out, effaced, destroyed, or removed

indigence (noun)

Poverty

indigenous (adjective)

Native

indistinct (adjective)

Vague

indolence (noun)

Laziness

indolent (adjective)

Habitually inactive or idle

indomitable (adjective)

Unconquerable

indulgent (adjective)

Yielding to the desires or humor of oneself or those under one’s care

ineffable (adjective)

Unutterable

ineluctable (adjective)

Impossible to avoid

inept (adjective)

Not fit or suitable

inexorable (adjective)

Unrelenting

infuse (verb)

To instill, introduce, or inculcate, as principles or qualities

ingenuous (adjective)

Candid, frank, or open in character or quality

inimical (adjective)

Adverse

innocuous (adjective)

Harmless

inscrutable (adjective)

Impenetrably mysterious or profound

insensible (adjective)

Imperceptible

insinuate (verb)

To imply

insipid (adjective)

Tasteless

insouciant (adjective)

Nonchalant

insurrection (noun)

The state of being in active resistance to authority

interdict (noun)

Authoritative act of prohibition

interim (noun)

Time between acts or periods

intransigent (adjective)

Not capable of being swayed or diverted from a course

intrepid (adjective)

Fearless and bold

introspection (noun)

The act of observing and analyzing one’s own thoughts and feelings

inundate (verb)

To fill with an overflowing abundance

inure (verb)

To harden or toughen by use, exercise, or exposure

invalid (noun)

One who is disabled by illness or injury

invective (noun)

An utterance intended to cast censure, or reproach

inveigh (verb)

To utter vehement censure or invective

inveterate (adjective)

Habitual

invidious (adjective)

Showing or feeling envy

invincible (adjective)

Not to be conquered, subdued, or overcome

iota (noun)

A small or insignificant mark or part

irascible (adjective)

Prone to anger

irate (adjective)

Moved to anger

ire (noun)

Wrath

irksome (adjective)

Wearisome

itinerant (adjective)

Wandering

itinerate (verb)

To wander from place to place

J-L


jocular (adjective)

Inclined to joke

jovial (adjective)

Merry

judicious (adjective)

Prudent

junta (noun)

A council or assembly that deliberates in secret upon the affairs of government

lachrymose (adjective)

Given to shedding tears

lackadaisical (adjective)

Listless

languid (adjective)

Relaxed

lascivious (adjective)

Lustful

lassitude (noun)

Lack of vitality or energy

latent (adjective)

Dormant

laudable (adjective)

Praiseworthy

laudatory (adjective)

Pertaining to, expressing, or containing praise

legacy (noun)

A bequest

levee (noun)

An embankment beside a river or stream or an arm of the sea, to prevent overflow

levity (noun)

Frivolity

lexicon (noun)

A dictionary

libel (noun)

Defamation

licentious (adjective)

Wanton

lien (noun)

A legal claim or hold on property, as security for a debt or charge

listless (adjective)

Inattentive

lithe (adjective)

Supple

loquacious (adjective)

Talkative

lugubrious (adjective)

Indicating sorrow, often ridiculously

luminary (noun)

One of the heavenly bodies as a source of light

lustrous (adjective)

Shining

M-N


malaise (noun)

A condition of uneasiness or ill-being

malcontent (noun)

One who is dissatisfied with the existing state of affairs

malevolence (noun)

Ill will

malign (verb)

To speak evil of, especially to do so falsely and severely

malleable (adjective)

Pliant

massacre (noun)

The unnecessary and indiscriminate killing of human beings

maudlin (adjective)

Foolishly and tearfully affectionate

mawkish (adjective)

Sickening or insipid

mellifluous (adjective)

Sweetly or smoothly flowing

mendacious (adjective)

Untrue

mendicant (noun)

A beggar

meretricious (adjective)

Alluring by false or gaudy show

mesmerize (verb)

To hypnotize

meticulous (adjective)

Over-cautious

mettle (noun)

Courage

mettlesome (adjective)

Having courage or spirit

microcosm (noun)

The world or universe on a small scale

mien (noun)

The external appearance or manner of a person

mischievous (adjective)

Fond of tricks

miscreant (noun)

A villain

miser (noun)

A person given to saving and hoarding unduly

misnomer (noun)

A name wrongly or mistakenly applied

moderation (noun)

Temperance

modicum (noun)

A small or token amount

mollify (verb)

To soothe

molt (verb)

To cast off, as hair, feathers, etc

monomania (noun)

The unreasonable pursuit of one idea

morbid (adjective)

Caused by or denoting a diseased or unsound condition of body or mind

mordant (adjective)

Biting

moribund (adjective)

On the point of dying

morose (adjective)

Gloomy

multifarious (adjective)

Having great diversity or variety

mundane (adjective)

Worldly, as opposed to spiritual or celestial

munificent (adjective)

Extraordinarily generous

myriad (noun)

A vast indefinite number

nadir (noun)

The lowest point

nefarious (adjective)

Wicked in the extreme

negligent (adjective)

Apt to omit what ought to be done

neophyte (adjective)

Having the character of a beginner

noisome (adjective)

Very offensive, particularly to the sense of smell

nostrum (noun)

Any scheme or recipe of a charlatan character

noxious (adjective)

Hurtful

nugatory (adjective)

Having no power or force

O-P


obdurate (adjective)

Impassive to feelings of humanity or pity

obfuscate (verb)

To darken; to obscure

oblique (adjective)

Slanting; said of lines

obsequious (adjective)

Showing a servile readiness to fall in with the wishes or will of another

obstreperous (adjective)

Boisterous

obtrude (verb)

To be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence

obtrusive (adjective)

Tending to be pushed or to push oneself into undue prominence

obviate (verb)

To clear away or provide for, as an objection or difficulty

odious (adjective)

Hateful

odium (noun)

A feeling of extreme repugnance, or of dislike and disgust

officious (adjective)

Intermeddling with what is not one’s concern

ominous (adjective)

Portentous

onerous (adjective)

Burdensome or oppressive

onus (noun)

A burden or responsibility

opprobrium (noun)

The state of being scornfully reproached or accused of evil

ossify (verb)

To convert into bone

ostentation (noun)

A display dictated by vanity and intended to invite applause or flattery

ostracism (noun)

Exclusion from intercourse or favor, as in society or politics

ostracize (verb)

To exclude from public or private favor

palate (noun)

The roof of the mouth

palatial (adjective)

Magnificent

palliate (verb)

To cause to appear less guilty

palpable (adjective)

Perceptible by feeling or touch

panacea (noun)

A remedy or medicine proposed for or professing to cure all diseases

panegyric (noun)

A formal and elaborate eulogy, written or spoken, of a person or of an act

panoply (noun)

A full set of armor

paragon (noun)

A model of excellence

Pariah (noun)

A member of a degraded class; a social outcast

paroxysm (noun)

A sudden outburst of any kind of activity

parsimonious (adjective)

Unduly sparing in the use or expenditure of money

partisan (adjective)

Characterized by or exhibiting undue or unreasoning devotion to a party

pathos (noun)

The quality in any form of representation that rouses emotion or sympathy

paucity (noun)

Fewness

peccadillo (noun)

A small breach of propriety or principle

pedestrian (noun)

One who journeys on foot

pellucid (adjective)

Translucent

penchant (noun)

A bias in favor of something

penurious (adjective)

Excessively sparing in the use of money

penury (noun)

Indigence

peregrination (noun)

A wandering

peremptory (adjective)

Precluding question or appeal

perfidy (noun)

Treachery

perfunctory (adjective)

Half-hearted

peripatetic (adjective)

Walking about

perjury (noun)

A solemn assertion of a falsity

permeate (verb)

To pervade

pernicious (adjective)

Tending to kill or hurt

persiflage (noun)

Banter

perspicacity (noun)

Acuteness or discernment

perturbation (noun)

Mental excitement or confusion

petrify (verb)

To convert into a substance of stony hardness and character

petulant (adjective)

Displaying impatience

phlegmatic (adjective)

Not easily roused to feeling or action

physiognomy (noun)

The external appearance merely

pious (adjective)

Religious

pique (verb)

To excite a slight degree of anger in

placate (verb)

To bring from a state of angry or hostile feeling to one of patience or friendliness

platitude (noun)

A written or spoken statement that is flat, dull, or commonplace

plea (noun)

An argument to obtain some desired action

plenary (adjective)

Entire

plethora (noun)

Excess; superabundance

plumb (noun)

A weight suspended by a line to test the verticality of something

plummet (noun)

A piece of lead for making soundings, adjusting walls to the vertical

poignant (adjective)

Severely painful or acute to the spirit

polyglot (adjective)

Speaking several tongues

ponderous (adjective)

Unusually weighty or forcible

portend (verb)

To indicate as being about to happen, especially by previous signs

portent (noun)

Anything that indicates what is to happen

precarious (adjective)

Perilous

preclude (verb)

To prevent

precocious (adjective)

Having the mental faculties prematurely developed

predominate (verb)

To be chief in importance, quantity, or degree

premature (adjective)

Coming too soon

presage (verb)

To foretell

prescience (noun)

Knowledge of events before they take place

presumption (noun)

That which may be logically assumed to be true until disproved

preternatural (adjective)

Extraordinary

prevalent (adjective)

Of wide extent or frequent occurrence

prevaricate (verb)

To use ambiguous or evasive language for the purpose of deceiving or diverting attention

prim (adjective)

Stiffly proper

pristine (adjective)

Primitive

probity (noun)

Virtue or integrity tested and confirmed

proclivity (noun)

A natural inclination

procrastination (noun)

Delay

prodigal (noun)

One wasteful or extravagant, especially in the use of money or property

prodigious (adjective)

Immense

profligacy (noun)

Shameless viciousness

profligate (adjective)

Recklessly wasteful

profuse (adjective)

Produced or displayed in overabundance

prolix (adjective)

Verbose

propinquity (noun)

Nearness

propitious (adjective)

Kindly disposed

prosaic (adjective)

Unimaginative

proscribe (verb)

To reject, as a teaching or a practice, with condemnation or denunciation

protuberant (adjective)

Bulging

provident (adjective)

Anticipating and making ready for future wants or emergencies

prudence (noun)

Caution

puerile (adjective)

Childish

pugnacious (adjective)

Quarrelsome

punctilious (adjective)

Strictly observant of the rules or forms prescribed by law or custom

pungency (noun)

The quality of affecting the sense of smell

pusillanimous (adjective)

Without spirit or bravery

pyre (noun)

A heap of combustibles arranged for burning a dead body

Q-R


qualm (noun)

A fit of nausea

quandary (noun)

A puzzling predicament

quibble (noun)

An utterly trivial distinction or objection

quiescence (noun)

Being quiet, still, or at rest; inactive

quiescent (adjective)

Being in a state of repose or inaction

Quixotic (adjective)

Chivalrous or romantic to a ridiculous or extravagant degree

quotidian (adjective)

Of an everyday character; ordinary

raconteur (noun)

A person skilled in telling stories

ramify (verb)

To divide or subdivide into branches or subdivisions

rapacious (adjective)

Sieze by force, avaricious

raucous (adjective)

Harsh

reactionary (adjective)

Pertaining to, of the nature of, causing, or favoring reaction

rebuff (noun)

A peremptory or unexpected rejection of advances or approaches

recalcitrant (adjective)

Marked by stubborn resistance

recant (verb)

To withdraw formally one’s belief (in something previously believed or maintained)

reciprocity (noun)

Equal mutual rights and benefits granted and enjoyed

recluse (noun)

One who lives in retirement or seclusion

recondite (adjective)

Incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding

recrudescent (adjective)

Becoming raw or sore again

recuperate (verb)

To recover

redoubtable (adjective)

Formidable

redress (verb)

To set right, as a wrong by compensation or the punishment of the wrong-doer

refractory (adjective)

Not amenable to control

regale (verb)

To give unusual pleasure

regicide (noun)

The killing of a king or sovereign

reiterate (verb)

To say or do again and again

relapse (verb)

To suffer a return of a disease after partial recovery

remonstrate (verb)

To present a verbal or written protest to those who have power to right or prevent a wrong

renovate (verb)

To restore after deterioration, as a building

repast (noun)

A meal; figuratively, any refreshment

repel (verb)

To force or keep back in a manner, physically or mentally

repine (verb)

To indulge in fretfulness and faultfinding

reprobate (noun)

One abandoned to depravity and sin

repudiate (verb)

To refuse to have anything to do with

repulsive (adjective)

Grossly offensive

requisite (adjective)

Necessary

requite (verb)

To repay either good or evil to, as to a person

rescind (verb)

To make void, as an act, by the enacting authority or a superior authority

resilience (noun)

The power of springing back to a former position

resonance (noun)

Able to reinforce sound by sympathetic vibrations

respite (noun)

Interval of rest

restive (adjective)

Resisting control

retinue (noun)

The group of people who accompany an important person during travels

revere (verb)

To regard with worshipful veneration

reverent (adjective)

Humble

ribald (adjective)

Indulging in or manifesting coarse indecency or obscenity

risible (adjective)

Capable of exciting laughter

rotund (adjective)

Round from fullness or plumpness

ruffian (noun)

A lawless or recklessly brutal fellow

ruminate (verb)

To chew over again, as food previously swallowed and regurgitated

S


sagacious (adjective)

Able to discern and distinguish with wise perception

salacious (adjective)

Having strong sexual desires

salient (adjective)

Standing out prominently

salubrious (adjective)

Healthful; promoting health

salutary (adjective)

Beneficial

sanction (verb)

To approve authoritatively

sanguine (adjective)

Cheerfully confident; optimistic

sardonic (adjective)

Scornfully or bitterly sarcastic

satiate (verb)

To satisfy fully the appetite or desire of

satyr (noun)

A very lascivious person

savor (verb)

To perceive by taste or smell

scabbard (noun)

The sheath of a sword or similar bladed weapon

scintilla (noun)

The faintest ray

scribble (noun)

Hasty, careless writing

sedulous (adjective)

Persevering in effort or endeavor

sequence (noun)

The order in which a number or persons, things, or events follow one another in space or time

severance (noun)

Separation

shrewd (adjective)

Characterized by skill at understanding and profiting by circumstances

sinecure (noun)

Any position having emoluments with few or no duties

sinuous (adjective)

Curving in and out

skiff (noun)

Usually, a small light boat propelled by oars

sluggard (noun)

A person habitually lazy or idle

solace (noun)

Comfort in grief, trouble, or calamity

solvent (adjective)

Having sufficient funds to pay all debts

somniferous (adjective)

Tending to produce sleep

somnolent (adjective)

Sleepy

sonorous (adjective)

Resonant

sophistry (noun)

Reasoning sound in appearance only, especially when designedly deceptive

soporific (adjective)

Causing sleep; also, something that causes sleep

sordid (adjective)

Filthy, morally degraded

specious (adjective)

Plausible

spurious (adjective)

Not genuine

squalid (adjective)

Having a dirty, mean, poverty-stricken appearance

stanch (verb)

To stop the flowing of; to check

stigma (noun)

A mark of infamy or token of disgrace attaching to a person as the result of evil-doing

stingy (adjective)

Cheap, unwilling to spend money

stolid (adjective)

Expressing no power of feeling or perceiving

submerge (verb)

To place or plunge under water

subterfuge (noun)

Evasion

succinct (adjective)

Concise

sumptuous (adjective)

Rich and costly

supercilious (adjective)

Exhibiting haughty and careless contempt

superfluous (adjective)

Being more than is needed

supernumerary (adjective)

Superfluous

supersede (verb)

To displace

supine (adjective)

Lying on the back

supplicate (verb)

To beg

suppress (verb)

To prevent from being disclosed or punished

surcharge (noun)

An additional amount charged

surfeit (verb)

To feed to fullness or to satiety

susceptibility (noun)

A specific capability of feeling or emotion

sybarite (noun)

A luxurious person

sycophant (noun)

A servile flatterer, especially of those in authority or influence

synopsis (noun)

A syllabus or summary

T-Z


taciturn (adjective)

Disinclined to conversation

taut (adjective)

Stretched tight

temerity (noun)

Foolhardy disregard of danger; recklessness

terse (adjective)

Pithy

timorous (adjective)

Lacking courage

torpid (adjective)

Dull; sluggish; inactive

torrid (adjective)

Excessively hot

tortuous (adjective)

Abounding in irregular bends or turns

tractable (adjective)

Easily led or controlled

transgress (verb)

To break a law

transient (noun)

One who or that which is only of temporary existence

transitory (adjective)

Existing for a short time only

travail (noun)

Hard or agonizing labor

travesty (noun)

A grotesque imitation

trenchant (adjective)

Cutting deeply and quickly

trepidation (noun)

Nervous uncertainty of feeling

trite (adjective)

Made commonplace by frequent repetition

truculence (noun)

Ferocity

truculent (adjective)

Having the character or the spirit of a savage

turbid (adjective)

In a state of turmoil; muddled

turgid (adjective)

Swollen

turpitude (noun)

Depravity

tutelage (noun)

The act of training or the state of being under instruction

tyro (noun)

One slightly skilled in or acquainted with any trade or profession

ubiquitous (adjective)

Being present everywhere

ulterior (adjective)

Not so pertinent as something else to the matter spoken of

umbrage (noun)

A sense of injury

unctuous (adjective)

Oily

undermine (verb)

To subvert in an underhand way

undulate (verb)

To move like a wave or in waves

untoward (adjective)

Causing annoyance or hindrance

upbraid (verb)

To reproach as deserving blame

vagary (noun)

A sudden desire or action

vainglory (noun)

Excessive, pretentious, and demonstrative vanity

valorous (adjective)

Courageous

vapid (adjective)

Having lost sparkling quality and flavor

variegated (adjective)

Having marks or patches of different colors; also, varied

vehement (adjective)

Very eager or urgent

venal (adjective)

Mercenary, corrupt

veneer (noun)

Outside show or elegance

venial (adjective)

That may be pardoned or forgiven, a forgivable sin

veracious (adjective)

Habitually disposed to speak the truth

veracity (noun)

Truthfulness

verbiage (noun)

Use of many words without necessity

verbose (adjective)

Wordy

verdant (adjective)

Green with vegetation

veritable (adjective)

Real; true; genuine

vestige (noun)

A visible trace, mark, or impression, of something absent, lost, or gone

vicissitude (noun)

A change, especially a complete change, of condition or circumstances, as of fortune

vigilance (noun)

Alert and intent mental watchfulness in guarding against danger

vigilant (adjective)

Being on the alert to discover and ward off danger or insure safety

virago (noun)

Loud talkative women, strong statured women

virtu (noun)

Rare, curious, or beautiful quality

visage (noun)

The face, countenance, or look of a person

vitiate (verb)

To contaminate

vituperate (verb)

To overwhelm with wordy abuse

vivify (verb)

To endue with life

vociferous (adjective)

Making a loud outcry

volatile (adjective)

Changeable

voluble (adjective)

Having great fluency in speaking

wean (verb)

To transfer (the young) from dependence on mother’s milk to another form of nourishment

whimsical (adjective)

Capricious

winsome (adjective)

Attractive

Zeitgeist (noun)

The intellectual and moral tendencies that characterize any age or epoch