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
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