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GRE word : ADMONISH (Verb)

ADMONISH (Verb)

Definition : To criticize (someone) usually gently so as to correct a fault

The Synonyms are:

• reprove
• reprimand
• reproach
• rebuke
• chide

The Antonyms are:

• compliment
• approve
• commend
• reward
• praise

The usages are:

• The teacher admonished the students for playing a prank.
• The teacher felt extremely guilty for having admonished the child for a mistake that he hadn't committed.
• If the teacher does not admonish a student for a misdemeanour, the student will not improve

Barrons GRE word : ABASE (With picture)

ABASE (verb) 

 tr.v. a·based, a·bas·ing, a·bas·es 

Meaning 

• To lower in rank, prestige, or esteem, to humiliate.
• To humble or belittle (oneself, etc.) 
• Behave in a way so as to belittle or degrade (someone).

Synonyms 

•  humiliate - lower - humble - degrade - demean - mortify

Antonyms 

• dignify, honor, respect. 

Usage 

•  He felt abased when his clothes were removed.
• He humiliated his colleague by criticising him in front of the boss. 
• Hurt the feelings of; "She hurt me when she did not include me among her guests"; "This remark really bruised my ego"

GRE Word List Essential (900+ words)

1. aberrant
   markedly different from an accepted norm
   EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

   Hitler’s derived personality profile also suggested that he probably had schizophrenic tendencies, including excessive grandiosity and aberrant thinking.
   —Scientific American (Dec 19, 2011)
2. abeyance
   temporary cessation or suspension
   EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

   “Usually, at the conclusion of the proceedings, final disposition was held in abeyance, and the alien would remain on bond,” Ms. Galvin wrote.
   —New York Times (Feb 18, 2012)
3. abscond
   run away; usually includes taking something or somebody along
   EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

   Police have said they are seeking help in locating a prisoner who absconded from a healthcare facility in Belfast.
   —BBC (May 1, 2011)
4. abstemious
   marked by temperance in indulgence
   EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

   Garnishes were simple, abstemious yet effective players on the plate: squash risotto, puréed fennel, bacon-onion jam.
   —New York Times (Nov 20, 2010)
5. abstruse
   difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
   EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

   Other artists produce maddeningly abstruse drawings that relate to their better-known performances.
   —New York Times (Mar 24, 2011)
6. absurd
   inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
7. abyss
   a bottomless gulf or pit; any unfathomable (or apparently unfathomable) cavity or chasm or void extending below (often used figuratively)
8. acquiesce
   to agree or express agreement
   EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

   American officials initially tried to resist President Karzai’s moves but eventually acquiesced.
   —New York Times (Mar 9, 2012)
9. adamant
   very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
10. adept
    having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
11. admonish
    take to task
12. adulate
    flatter in an obsequious manner
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    The main man at SOM was David Childs, now aged 70, prominent for decades in American architecture but never adulated like its more glamorous stars.
    —The Guardian (Jul 30, 2011)
13. adulation
    servile flattery; exaggerated and hypocritical praise
14. adulterate
    corrupt, debase, or make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance; often by replacing valuable ingredients with inferior ones
15. adumbrate
    describe roughly or briefly or give the main points or summary of
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    He vaguely adumbrated what it was out of which she came.
    —Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)
16. adverse
    in an opposing direction
17. aesthete
    one who professes great sensitivity to the beauty of art and nature
18. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
19. affliction
    a cause of great suffering and distress
20. affluent
    having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value
21. aggrandize
    add details to
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    Beyond facial and vocal signs of disapproval, there are sometimes bizarre, exaggerated movements, like abrupt stops or aggrandized sidesteps.
    —New York Times (Nov 7, 2011)
22. agitate
    move or cause to move back and forth
23. agog
    highly excited
24. alacrity
    liveliness and eagerness
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    Thus far, although perhaps somewhat lacking in alacrity of persecution, no serious charges could be laid against him.
    —Lea, Henry Charles
25. allegation
    (law) a formal accusation against somebody (often in a court of law)
26. allegiance
    the act of binding yourself (intellectually or emotionally) to a course of action
27. ally
    a friendly nation
28. amalgamate
    to bring or combine together or with something else
29. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
30. ambivalent
    uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow
31. ambrosial
    worthy of the gods
32. ameliorate
    to make better
33. amenable
    disposed or willing to comply
34. anachronism
    something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
35. analgesic
    capable of relieving pain
36. annex
    attach to
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    Opponents say Ma’s moves will make it easier for Beijing leaders to eventually annex Taiwan, which they view as province of China.
    —Forbes (Jan 13, 2012)
37. annotate
    add explanatory notes to or supply with critical comments
38. annul
    cancel officially
39. anomalous
    deviating from the general or common order or type
40. antediluvian
    of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
41. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
42. antiseptic
    thoroughly clean and free of or destructive to disease-causing organisms
43. aphoristic
    terse and witty and like a maxim
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    His best writing has always had an aphoristic quality, and that’s true here.
    —New York Times (May 10, 2011)
44. apocryphal
    being of questionable authenticity
45. apparition
    a ghostly appearing figure
46. appraise
    consider in a comprehensive way
47. apprehension
    fearful expectation or anticipation
48. apprise
    inform (somebody) of something
49. approbation
    official approval
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    “Perhaps,” he said, “painting him was one way of trying to elicit more love and approbation.”
    —New York Times (Apr 13, 2012)
50. aptitude
    inherent ability
51. aqueous
    similar to or containing or dissolved in water
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    The fact that an aqueous solution of these ashes affects the coloured parts of many plants was also noticed in early times.
    —Muir, M. M. Pattison (Matthew Moncrieff Pattison)
52. arable
    (of farmland) capable of being farmed productively
53. arbitrate
    act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
54. arduous
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion; especially physical effort
55. articulate
    express or state clearly
56. ascetic
    someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
57. ascribe
    attribute or credit to
58. asperity
    harshness of manner
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    "Standin' an' looking at the blessed thing won't clear away this raffle," said the Old Man withasperity.
    —Westerman, Percy F. (Percy Francis)
59. aspersion
    a disparaging remark
60. aspiration
    a cherished desire
61. assess
    evaluate or estimate the nature, quality, ability, extent, or significance of
62. assuage
    provide physical relief, as from pain
63. astringent
    tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
64. astute
    marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
65. atone
    turn away from sin or do penitence
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    Regulators can begin to atone for their past laxity by helping the working group now.
    —New York Times (Mar 1, 2012)
66. atrophy
    a decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse
67. attentive
    taking heed; giving close and thoughtful attention
68. attenuate
    become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
69. audacious
    disposed to venture or take risks
70. augment
    enlarge or increase
71. auspicious
    auguring favorable circumstances and good luck
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    Five years later, the corporate law world is again abuzz over the firm, Dewey & LeBoeuf, but for less auspicious reasons.
    —New York Times (Mar 15, 2012)
72. austere
    of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor; forbidding in aspect
73. avarice
    reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)
74. aver
    to declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
75. averse
    (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
76. avert
    turn away or aside
77. avid
    marked by active interest and enthusiasm
78. baleful
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
79. balk
    refuse to comply
80. banal
    repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    Nor is it his material, which sticks to deft takes on relatively banal subjects like chain stores or hipster attitudes.
    —New York Times (Mar 21, 2012)
81. baneful
    deadly or sinister
82. banter
    light teasing repartee
83. barefaced
    with no effort to conceal
84. bask
    be exposed
85. belie
    be in contradiction with
86. bellicose
    having or showing a ready disposition to fight
87. benevolent
    showing or motivated by sympathy and understanding and generosity
88. benign
    kindness of disposition or manner
89. bilk
    cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    So-called boiler-rooms, where corrupt brokers bilked investors by manipulating stocks, were giving way to insider-trading.
    —BusinessWeek (Dec 22, 2011)
90. bizarre
    conspicuously or grossly unconventional or unusual
91. blandishment
    flattery intended to persuade
92. bleak
    unpleasantly cold and damp
93. blithe
    carefree and happy and lighthearted
94. blunder
    an embarrassing mistake
95. board
    a stout length of sawn timber; made in a wide variety of sizes and used for many purposes
96. bog
    wet spongy ground of decomposing vegetation; has poorer drainage than a swamp; soil is unfit for cultivation but can be cut and dried and used for fuel
97. bogus
    fraudulent; having a misleading appearance
98. bolster
    support and strengthen
99. bombast
    pompous or pretentious talk or writing
    EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

    But he lost his nerve as a coproducer, going for stadium bombast instead of the unadorned grit these stories of hard times demand.
    —Chicago Tribune (Mar 2, 2012)
100. boor
     a crude uncouth ill-bred person lacking culture or refinement
101. breach
     an opening (especially a gap in a dike or fortification)
102. brisk
     quick and energetic
103. brittle
     having little elasticity; hence easily cracked or fractured or snapped
104. brood
     hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
105. burgeon
     grow and flourish
106. burlesque
     a theatrical entertainment of broad and earthy humor; consists of comic skits and short turns (and sometimes striptease)
107. buttress
     a support usually of stone or brick; supports the wall of a building
108. cadge
     obtain or seek to obtain by cadging or wheedling
109. cajole
     influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
110. calisthenics
     light exercises designed to promote general fitness
111. cant
     a slope in the turn of a road or track; the outside is higher than the inside in order to reduce the effects of centrifugal force
112. caprice
     a sudden desire
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     At length, when they were fully out of earshot, Manners himself stopped, thinking that he had humoured his companion's caprices far enough.
     —James, G. P. R. (George Payne Rainsford)
113. captor
     a person who captures and holds people or animals
114. castigate
     inflict severe punishment on
115. catalyst
     (chemistry) a substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction without itself being affected
116. caustic
     of a substance, especially a strong acid; capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
117. cavern
     a large cave or a large chamber in a cave
118. censor
     a person who is authorized to read publications or correspondence or to watch theatrical performances and suppress in whole or in part anything considered obscene or politically unacceptable
119. censure
     harsh criticism or disapproval
120. cessation
     a stopping
121. charter
     a document incorporating an institution and specifying its rights; includes the articles of incorporation and the certificate of incorporation
122. chary
     characterized by great caution and wariness
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Many, perhaps chary of the misspelling bell, backed away slowly after their word.
     —New York Times (Mar 21, 2012)
123. chicanery
     the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
124. circumlocution
     an indirect way of expressing something
125. circumspect
     heedful of potential consequences
126. claim
     assert or affirm strongly; state to be true or existing
127. clot
     a lump of material formed from the content of a liquid
128. clumsy
     lacking grace in movement or posture
129. coagulant
     an agent that produces coagulation
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     They were all suitable coagulants when used in quantity calculated from the discovered acidity, but produced rubber darker than ordinary when air-dried.
     —Morgan, Sidney
130. coerce
     to cause to do through pressure or necessity, by physical, moral or intellectual means :"She forced him to take a job in the city"
131. cogent
     powerfully persuasive
132. cognizance
     having knowledge of
133. coherent
     marked by an orderly, logical, and aesthetically consistent relation of parts
134. collusion
     secret agreement
135. commensurate
     corresponding in size or degree or extent
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     “He was terribly hyper, ambitious,” Mr. Evtushenkov said — and thus, he implied, forgot the rule about operating commensurate with political influence.
     —New York Times (May 4, 2012)
136. commentator
     an expert who observes and comments on something
137. complacent
     contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
138. complaisant
     showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
139. composure
     steadiness of mind under stress
140. concede
     give over; surrender or relinquish to the physical control of another
141. conceit
     the trait of being unduly vain and conceited; false pride
142. concession
     the act of conceding or yielding
143. conciliatory
     making or willing to make concessions
144. concoct
     make a concoction (of) by mixing
145. concur
     happen simultaneously
146. condescend
     behave in a patronizing and condescending manner
147. conducive
     tending to bring about; being partly responsible for
148. confidential
     (of information) given in confidence or in secret
149. confine
     place limits on (extent or access)
150. conflagration
     a very intense and uncontrolled fire
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     There are concerns that the conflict could cause a regional conflagration that sucks in neighboring countries.
     —Time (Mar 27, 2012)
151. conflate
     mix together different elements
152. confound
     be confusing or perplexing to; cause to be unable to think clearly
153. confrontation
     discord resulting from a clash of ideas or opinions
154. congruent
     corresponding in character or kind
155. conifer
     any gymnospermous tree or shrub bearing cones
156. conjecture
     to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
157. conjure
     summon into action or bring into existence, often as if by magic
158. conscript
     enroll into service compulsorily
159. consensus
     agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole
160. consign
     give over to another for care or safekeeping
161. console
     give moral or emotional strength to
162. conspicuous
     obvious to the eye or mind
163. conspire
     act in unison or agreement and in secret towards a deceitful or illegal purpose
164. consternation
     fear resulting from the awareness of danger
165. contend
     compete for something; engage in a contest; measure oneself against others
166. contentious
     inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree, even to engage in law suits
167. contingent
     determined by conditions or circumstances that follow
168. contrite
     feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
169. controversial
     marked by or capable of arousing controversy
170. convoke
     call together
171. convoluted
     rolled longitudinally upon itself
172. corporal
     affecting or characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
173. corroborate
     give evidence for
174. covert
     secret or hidden; not openly practiced or engaged in or shown or avowed
175. covet
     wish, long, or crave for (something, especially the property of another person)
176. cower
     crouch or curl up
177. coy
     modestly or warily rejecting approaches or overtures
178. crave
     have a craving, appetite, or great desire for
179. craven
     lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
180. crease
     an angular or rounded shape made by folding
181. credulity
     tendency to believe readily
182. crockery
     tableware (eating and serving dishes) collectively
183. culpable
     deserving blame or censure as being wrong or evil or injurious
184. curb
     the act of restraining power or action or limiting excess
185. dabble
     bob forward and under so as to feed off the bottom of a body of water
186. dampen
     lessen in force or effect
187. dangle
     hang freely
188. dazzle
     brightness enough to blind partially and temporarily
189. dearth
     an insufficient quantity or number
190. debacle
     a sudden and violent collapse
191. debilitate
     make weak
192. decorous
     characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
193. decorum
     propriety in manners and conduct
194. decree
     a legally binding command or decision entered on the court record (as if issued by a court or judge)
195. decry
     express strong disapproval of
196. dedication
     complete and wholehearted fidelity
197. defer
     yield to another's wish or opinion
198. deference
     courteous regard for people's feelings
199. defiance
     a hostile challenge
200. defiant
     boldly resisting authority or an opposing force
201. deft
     skillful in physical movements; especially of the hands
202. delineate
     represented accurately or precisely
203. deluge
     a heavy rain
204. demote
     assign to a lower position; reduce in rank
205. demur
     take exception to
206. denounce
     speak out against
207. denunciation
     a public act of denouncing
208. deposition
     the act of putting something somewhere
209. deprivation
     the disadvantage that results from losing something
210. deprive
     take away
211. descry
     catch sight of
212. desiccate
     lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
213. desperate
     a person who is frightened and in need of help
214. despicable
     morally reprehensible
215. detached
     no longer connected or joined
216. deter
     turn away from by persuasion
217. devoid
     completely wanting or lacking
218. diatribe
     thunderous verbal attack
219. dichotomy
     being twofold; a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
220. diffident
     showing modest reserve
221. digress
     wander from a direct or straight course
222. dilettante
     an amateur who engages in an activity without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
223. diligent
     quietly and steadily persevering especially in detail or exactness
224. din
     a loud harsh or strident noise
225. dirge
     a song or hymn of mourning composed or performed as a memorial to a dead person
226. disabuse
     free somebody (from an erroneous belief)
227. disassemble
     take apart into its constituent pieces
228. disburse
     expend, as from a fund
229. discomfit
     cause to lose one's composure
230. discourse
     an extended communication (often interactive) dealing with some particular topic
231. discreet
     marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
232. discrete
     constituting a separate entity or part
233. disdain
     lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
234. disguise
     any attire that modifies the appearance in order to conceal the wearer's identity
235. disinterested
     unaffected by self-interest
236. dislodge
     remove or force from a position of dwelling previously occupied
237. disparate
     fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
238. disparity
     inequality or difference in some respect
239. dispassionate
     unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
240. dispel
     to cause to separate and go in different directions
241. disprove
     prove to be false
242. disrobe
     get undressed
243. dissemble
     behave unnaturally or affectedly
244. dissent
     a difference of opinion
245. distend
     cause to expand as it by internal pressure
246. distract
     draw someone's attention away from something
247. distraught
     deeply agitated especially from emotion
248. divest
     take away possessions from someone
249. divulge
     make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few people or that was meant to be kept a secret
250. docile
     easily handled or managed
251. dogmatic
     of or pertaining to or characteristic of a doctrine or code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
252. doleful
     filled with or evoking sadness
253. dormant
     inactive but capable of becoming active
254. drab
     a dull greyish to yellowish or light olive brown
255. drawl
     a slow speech pattern with prolonged vowels
256. droll
     comical in an odd or whimsical manner
257. drone
     an unchanging intonation
258. drought
     a shortage of rainfall
259. dubious
     fraught with uncertainty or doubt
260. dumbfound
     be a mystery or bewildering to
261. dupe
     fool or hoax
262. dwarf
     a plant or animal that is atypically small
263. dwindle
     become smaller or lose substance
264. ebullient
     joyously unrestrained
265. eclectic
     selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
266. efface
     remove by or as if by rubbing or erasing
267. efficacious
     marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect
268. effrontery
     audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
269. egalitarian
     favoring social equality
270. egregious
     conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
271. elicit
     call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
272. eloquence
     powerful and effective language
273. elucidate
     make clear and (more) comprehensible
274. elusive
     skillful at eluding capture
275. embellish
     make more attractive by adding ornament, colour, etc.
276. embrace
     squeeze (someone) tightly in your arms, usually with fondness
277. emissary
     someone sent on a mission to represent the interests of someone else
278. emollient
     toiletry consisting of any of various substances in the form of a thick liquid that have a soothing and moisturizing effect when applied to the skin
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Unlike his emollient predecessor, Sir Rod Eddington, Walsh has an uncompromising style and has proved willing to confront unions head-on, with decidedly mixed results.
     —The Guardian (Nov 20, 2010)
279. enchant
     cast a spell over someone or something; put a hex on someone or something
280. encomium
     a formal expression of praise
281. encroach
     advance beyond the usual limit
282. encumber
     hold back
283. endeavor
     attempt by employing effort
284. endorse
     be behind; approve of
285. enervate
     weaken mentally or morally
286. engender
     make children
287. engrossed
     giving or marked by complete attention to
288. enigma
     something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
289. enlist
     join the military
290. ensign
     a person who holds a commissioned rank in the United States Navy or the United States Coast Guard; below lieutenant junior grade
291. enthral
     hold spellbound
292. entrenched
     dug in
293. ephemeral
     anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day in its winged form
294. epistemology
     the philosophical theory of knowledge
295. epistle
     a specially long, formal letter
296. epithet
     descriptive word or phrase
297. epitome
     a standard or typical example
298. equivocate
     be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
299. equivocation
     intentionally vague or ambiguous
300. eradicate
     destroy completely, as if down to the roots
301. erratic
     liable to sudden unpredictable change
302. erudite
     having or showing profound knowledge
303. eschew
     avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
304. esoteric
     confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
305. espouse
     choose and follow; as of theories, ideas, policies, strategies or plans
306. espy
     catch sight of
307. ethos
     (anthropology) the distinctive spirit of a culture or an era
308. euphemism
     an inoffensive or indirect expression that is substituted for one that is considered offensive or too harsh
309. euphoria
     a feeling of great (usually exaggerated) elation
310. evanescent
     tending to vanish like vapor
311. evict
     expel or eject without recourse to legal process
312. evoke
     call forth (emotions, feelings, and responses)
313. exacerbate
     make worse
314. exculpate
     pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
315. exemplary
     worthy of imitation
316. exemplify
     be characteristic of
317. exhort
     spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
318. exigent
     demanding attention
319. exonerate
     pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
320. exorbitant
     greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
321. expend
     use up, consume fully
322. expiate
     make amends for
323. explicit
     precisely and clearly expressed or readily observable; leaving nothing to implication
324. exploit
     use or manipulate to one's advantage
325. extant
     still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
326. extempore
     with little or no preparation or forethought
327. extensive
     large in spatial extent or range or scope or quantity
328. extent
     the point or degree to which something extends
329. extol
     praise, glorify, or honor
330. extravagant
     recklessly wasteful
331. exuberant
     joyously unrestrained
332. facetious
     cleverly amusing in tone
333. faddish
     intensely fashionable for a short time
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     In the West investing in fine wine instead of equities, bonds or commodities has become something of a faddish way to diversify one’s portfolio.
     —Economist (Jan 20, 2011)
334. fallacious
     containing or based on a fallacy
335. fallacy
     a misconception resulting from incorrect reasoning
336. falter
     move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
337. fanatical
     marked by excessive enthusiasm for and intense devotion to a cause or idea
338. fathom
     a linear unit of measurement (equal to 6 feet) for water depth
339. fawn
     a young deer
340. feckless
     generally incompetent and ineffectual
341. feign
     make believe with the intent to deceive
342. felicitate
     express congratulations
343. felon
     someone who has committed a crime or has been legally convicted of a crime
344. fervent
     characterized by intense emotion
345. fervid
     characterized by intense emotion
346. fervor
     feelings of great warmth and intensity
347. feud
     a bitter quarrel between two parties
348. fickle
     liable to sudden unpredictable change
349. fidget
     move restlessly
350. finicky
     exacting especially about details
351. flamboyant
     marked by ostentation but often tasteless
352. flatter
     praise somewhat dishonestly
353. flaunt
     display proudly; act ostentatiously or pretentiously
354. fledgling
     young bird that has just fledged or become capable of flying
355. flimsy
     a thin strong lightweight translucent paper used especially for making carbon copies
356. flinch
     draw back, as with fear or pain
357. flippant
     showing inappropriate levity
358. flirt
     talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
359. flop
     fall loosely
360. florid
     elaborately or excessively ornamented
361. flounder
     walk with great difficulty
362. flout
     treat with contemptuous disregard
363. fluffy
     like down or as soft as down
364. fluke
     a stroke of luck
365. flustered
     thrown into a state of agitated confusion; (`rattled' is an informal term)
366. foible
     a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
367. foment
     try to stir up public opinion
368. foment
     try to stir up public opinion
369. foolhardy
     marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
370. foppish
     affecting extreme elegance in dress and manner
371. foreclosure
     the legal proceedings initiated by a creditor to repossess the collateral for loan that is in default
372. forestall
     keep from happening or arising; make impossible
373. forge
     create by hammering
374. forgery
     criminal falsification by making or altering an instrument with intent to defraud
375. formidable
     extremely impressive in strength or excellence
376. forthright
     directly and without evasion; not roundabout
377. fortuitous
     occurring by happy chance
378. foster
     providing or receiving nurture or parental care though not related by blood or legal ties
379. fracas
     noisy quarrel
380. fraud
     intentional deception resulting in injury to another person
381. frenzy
     state of violent mental agitation
382. fret
     be agitated or irritated
383. frivolous
     not serious in content or attitude or behavior
384. frown
     a facial expression of dislike or displeasure
385. fulminate
     cause to explode violently and with loud noise
386. furtive
     secret and sly or sordid
387. gaffe
     a socially awkward or tactless act
388. gainsay
     take exception to
389. garner
     store grain
390. garrulous
     full of trivial conversation
391. gauche
     lacking social polish
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     It was not that long ago he appeared gauche and unco-ordinated, every bit a former second-row camping out on the wing.
     —The Guardian (Feb 19, 2011)
392. gaudy
     tastelessly showy
393. gavel
     a small mallet used by a presiding officer or a judge
394. ghastly
     shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
395. gird
     bind with something round or circular
396. gist
     the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
397. glib
     artfully persuasive in speech
398. gloat
     dwell on with satisfaction
399. goad
     stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
400. gorge
     a deep ravine (usually with a river running through it)
401. gossamer
     a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture
402. gouge
     an impression in a surface (as made by a blow)
403. gravel
     rock fragments and pebbles
404. gravity
     (physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth's mass for bodies near its surface
405. grazing
     the act of grazing
406. gregarious
     instinctively or temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
407. grill
     a framework of metal bars used as a partition or a grate
408. grovel
     show submission or fear
409. grudging
     petty or reluctant in giving or spending
410. grumble
     make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
411. guarded
     prudent
412. guile
     shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
413. guileless
     free of deceit
414. gullible
     naive and easily deceived or tricked
415. hackneyed
     repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
416. hallucinate
     perceive what is not there; have illusions
417. hamper
     prevent the progress or free movement of
418. hapless
     deserving or inciting pity
419. harangue
     a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
420. harbor
     a sheltered port where ships can take on or discharge cargo
421. herbaceous
     characteristic of a nonwoody herb or plant part
422. heretic
     a person who holds religious beliefs in conflict with the dogma of the Roman Catholic Church
423. heretical
     characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards
424. heterodox
     characterized by departure from accepted beliefs or standards
425. hoax
     something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended to gain an advantage
426. holster
     a sheath (usually leather) for carrying a handgun
427. homeopathy
     a method of treating disease with small amounts of remedies that, in large amounts in healthy people, produce symptoms similar to those being treated
428. hyperbole
     extravagant exaggeration
429. hypocritical
     professing feelings or virtues one does not have
430. iconoclast
     someone who attacks cherished ideas or traditional institutions
431. idiosyncrasy
     a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual
432. idolatrous
     relating to or practicing idolatry
433. illicit
     contrary to accepted morality (especially sexual morality) or convention
434. imbibe
     take in liquids
435. imbue
     spread or diffuse through
436. immutable
     not subject or susceptible to change or variation in form or quality or nature
437. impair
     make worse or less effective
438. impassive
     having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
439. impecunious
     not having enough money to pay for necessities
440. impede
     be a hindrance or obstacle to
441. impediment
     something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
442. imperative
     requiring attention or action
443. imperious
     having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
444. impervious
     not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
445. impetuous
     characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
446. implacable
     incapable of being placated
447. imposture
     pretending to be another person
448. impregnable
     immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
449. impromptu
     with little or no preparation or forethought
450. improvidence
     a lack of prudence and care by someone in the management of resources
451. improvise
     manage in a makeshift way; do with whatever is at hand
452. impudent
     improperly forward or bold
453. impugn
     attack as false or wrong
454. impunity
     exemption from punishment or loss
455. inadvertent
     happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
456. inauspicious
     not auspicious; boding ill
457. inchoate
     only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
458. incidence
     the relative frequency of occurrence of something
459. incipient
     only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
460. incongruous
     lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
461. incorrigible
     impervious to correction by punishment
462. incursion
     the act of entering some territory or domain (often in large numbers)
463. indelible
     cannot be removed or erased
464. indict
     accuse formally of a crime
465. indigenous
     originating where it is found
466. indignant
     angered at something unjust or wrong
467. induce
     cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner
468. indulge
     yield (to); give satisfaction to
469. ineffable
     defying expression or description
470. inept
     generally incompetent and ineffectual
471. inextricable
     not permitting extrication; incapable of being disentangled or untied
472. infiltrate
     pass through an enemy line; in a military conflict
473. inflammable
     easily ignited
474. infuse
     fill, as with a certain quality
475. ingenious
     showing inventiveness and skill
476. ingenuous
     lacking in sophistication or worldliness
477. ingrained
     (used especially of ideas or principles) deeply rooted; firmly fixed or held
478. inimical
     not friendly
479. iniquitous
     characterized by iniquity; wicked because it is believed to be a sin
480. innocuous
     not injurious to physical or mental health
481. inopportune
     not opportune
482. inquisitive
     inquiring or appearing to inquire
483. insatiate
     impossible to satisfy
484. insensible
     barely able to be perceived
485. insignia
     a badge worn to show official position
486. insinuate
     give to understand
487. insipid
     lacking interest or significance or impact
488. insular
     relating to or characteristic of or situated on an island
489. intact
     undamaged in any way
490. interregnum
     the time between two reigns, governments, etc.
491. intransigent
     impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, reason
492. intrepid
     invulnerable to fear or intimidation
493. intricate
     having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
494. intrigue
     a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
495. inundate
     fill or cover completely, usually with water
496. inured
     made tough by habitual exposure
497. invective
     abusive or venomous language used to express blame or censure or bitter deep-seated ill will
498. invert
     turn inside out or upside down
499. invigorate
     give life or energy to
500. invoke
     request earnestly (something from somebody); ask for aid or protection
501. irascible
     quickly aroused to anger
502. irate
     feeling or showing extreme anger
503. jamb
     upright consisting of a vertical side member of a door or window frame
504. jeer
     laugh at with contempt and derision
505. jeopardy
     a source of danger; a possibility of incurring loss or misfortune
506. jest
     activity characterized by good humor
507. jocular
     characterized by jokes and good humor
508. jovial
     full of or showing high-spirited merriment
509. judicious
     marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
510. lackluster
     lacking brilliance or vitality
511. laconic
     brief and to the point; effectively cut short
512. lasso
     a long noosed rope used to catch animals
513. latitude
     an imaginary line around the Earth parallel to the equator
514. laudable
     worthy of high praise
515. lavish
     very generous
516. leash
     restraint consisting of a rope (or light chain) used to restrain an animal
517. leaven
     a substance used to produce fermentation in dough or a liquid
518. lethargic
     deficient in alertness or activity
519. lethargy
     inactivity; showing an unusual lack of energy
520. levee
     a pier that provides a landing place on a river
521. leviathan
     the largest or most massive thing of its kind
522. levy
     impose and collect
523. libertine
     unrestrained by convention or morality
524. ligneous
     consisting of or containing lignin or xylem
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     The interior is filled with a powder that under the microscope appears to be made up of ligneousfilaments mixed with a few spores.
     —Lloyd, C. G.
525. limerick
     a humorous verse form of 5 anapestic lines with a rhyme scheme aabba
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     “It was no problem,” said Ms. Campbell, who lives in Lake Oswego, Ore., and uses her iPad daily to write limericks and reread classic novels.
     —New York Times (Sep 1, 2010)
526. limp
     walk impeded by some physical limitation or injury
527. linen
     a fabric woven with fibers from the flax plant
528. literal
     limited to the explicit meaning of a word or text
529. lizard
     relatively long-bodied reptile with usually two pairs of legs and a tapering tail
530. loafer
     person who does no work
531. loll
     be lazy or idle
532. loom
     a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
533. lope
     run easily
534. loquacious
     full of trivial conversation
535. lucid
     (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
536. lucrative
     producing a sizeable profit
537. ludicrous
     incongruous;inviting ridicule
538. lugubrious
     excessively mournful
539. lull
     make calm or still
540. lumber
     the wood of trees cut and prepared for use as building material
541. luminous
     softly bright or radiant
542. lustrous
     reflecting light
543. mace
     spice made from the dried fleshy covering of the nutmeg seed
544. macerate
     soften, usually by steeping in liquid, and cause to disintegrate as a result
545. magnanimity
     liberality in bestowing gifts; extremely liberal and generous of spirit
546. malapropism
     the unintentional misuse of a word by confusion with one that sounds similar
547. malevolent
     wishing or appearing to wish evil to others; arising from intense ill will or hatred
548. malign
     speak unfavorably about
549. malingerer
     someone shirking their duty by feigning illness or incapacity
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Stanford failed tests designed to expose malingerers, a psychologist testified yesterday in Houston.
     —BusinessWeek (Dec 21, 2011)
550. manifest
     clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment
551. martial
     suggesting war or military life
552. martinet
     someone who demands exact conformity to rules and forms
553. maverick
     someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
554. meager
     deficient in amount or quality or extent
555. meddle
     intrude in other people's affairs or business; interfere unwantedly
556. mediocre
     moderate to inferior in quality
557. mend
     restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken
558. mendacious
     given to lying
559. mercenary
     a person hired to fight for another country than their own
560. mercurial
     liable to sudden unpredictable change
561. metaphysics
     the philosophical study of being and knowing
562. meticulous
     marked by precise accordance with details
563. mettle
     the courage to carry on
564. mettlesome
     having a proud and unbroken spirit
565. minuscule
     very small
566. mirth
     great merriment
567. misanthrope
     someone who dislikes people in general
568. misnomer
     an incorrect or unsuitable name
569. misogynist
     a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular
570. mistrust
     regard as untrustworthy; regard with suspicion; have no faith or confidence in
571. mitigate
     lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
572. moat
     ditch dug as a fortification and usually filled with water
573. mollify
     cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
574. mollycoddle
     treat with excessive indulgence
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     The behaviorist John B. Watson argued that mollycoddled toddlers grew into weak and whiny adults.
     —Slate (Dec 7, 2010)
575. molt
     cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     The challenging crabs had recently molted, so perhaps it wanted a good position to regain its bacterial covering.
     —Scientific American (Dec 5, 2011)
576. morose
     showing a brooding ill humor
577. mosaic
     art consisting of a design made of small pieces of colored stone or glass
578. mundane
     found in the ordinary course of events
579. nadir
     an extreme state of adversity; the lowest point of anything
580. narcotic
     a drug that produces numbness or stupor; often taken for pleasure or to reduce pain; extensive use can lead to addiction
581. nausea
     the state that precedes vomiting
582. nefarious
     extremely wicked
583. neglect
     leave undone or leave out
584. neuralgia
     acute spasmodic pain along the course of one or more nerves
585. nocturnal
     belonging to or active during the night
586. noisome
     causing or able to cause nausea
587. nonchalant
     marked by blithe unconcern
588. nondescript
     lacking distinct or individual characteristics; dull and uninteresting
589. nonplused
     filled with bewilderment
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Mr. Reginald Kent looked rather nonplused and Mr. Tucker handed me his gun to hold while he rolled in the leaves for very joy.
     —Speed, Nell
590. note
     a brief written record
591. notion
     a general inclusive concept
592. oaf
     an awkward stupid person
593. obdurate
     stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
594. obeisance
     bending the head or body or knee as a sign of reverence or submission or shame or greeting
595. obelisk
     a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top
596. obese
     excessively fat
597. obfuscate
     make obscure or unclear
598. obituary
     a notice of someone's death; usually includes a short biography
599. objurgate
     censure severely
600. objurgation
     rebuking a person harshly
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Then more blows, a general rising up of that part of the congregation, and a pouring out of profaneobjurgations that was surprising.
     —McBride, R. E.
601. oblation
     the act of contributing to the funds of a church or charity
602. obligatory
     required by obligation or compulsion or convention
603. oblique
     slanting or inclined in direction or course or position--neither parallel nor perpendicular nor right-angled
604. obliquity
     the quality of being deceptive
605. obliterate
     remove completely from recognition or memory
606. oblivion
     the state of being disregarded or forgotten
607. obloquy
     a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions
608. obnoxious
     causing disapproval or protest
609. obscure
     not clearly understood or expressed
610. obsequious
     attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
611. obsession
     an unhealthy and compulsive preoccupation with something or someone
612. obsidian
     acid or granitic glass formed by the rapid cooling of lava without crystallization; usually dark, but transparent in thin pieces
613. obsolete
     no longer in use
614. obstetrician
     a physician specializing in obstetrics
615. obstreperous
     noisily and stubbornly defiant
616. obtrude
     push to thrust outward
617. obtrusive
     sticking out; protruding
618. obtuse
     of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
619. obviate
     do away with
620. obvious
     easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind
621. occult
     supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
622. oculist
     a person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses
623. odious
     unequivocally detestable
624. odium
     hate coupled with disgust
625. odoriferous
     emitting an odor
626. odorous
     having odor or a characteristic odor
627. offal
     viscera and trimmings of a butchered animal often considered inedible by humans
628. offertory
     the offerings of the congregation at a religious service
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     It is very difficult to say whether they should be read before or after the offertory and prayer for the Church Militant.
     —Unknown
629. officious
     intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
630. ogle
     look at with amorous intentions
631. olfactory
     of or relating to olfaction
632. oligarchy
     a political system governed by a few people
633. ominous
     threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
634. omnipotent
     having unlimited power
635. omnipresent
     being present everywhere at once
636. omniscient
     infinitely wise
637. omnivorous
     feeding on both plants and animals
638. onerous
     not easily borne; wearing
639. onomatopoeia
     using words that imitate the sound they denote
640. onslaught
     (military) an offensive against an enemy (using weapons)
641. onus
     an onerous or difficult concern
642. opalescent
     having a play of lustrous rainbow colors
643. opaque
     not transmitting or reflecting light or radiant energy; impenetrable to sight
644. opiate
     a narcotic drug that contains opium or an opium derivative
645. opportune
     suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose
646. opportunist
     a person who places expediency above principle
647. opprobrious
     expressing offensive reproach
648. opprobrium
     a state of extreme dishonor
649. optician
     a worker who makes glasses for remedying defects of vision
650. optimum
     most desirable possible under a restriction expressed or implied
651. optometrist
     a person skilled in testing for defects of vision in order to prescribe corrective glasses
652. opulence
     wealth as evidenced by sumptuous living
653. opus
     a musical work that has been created
654. oratorio
     a musical composition for voices and orchestra based on a religious text
655. ordinance
     an authoritative rule
656. orientation
     the act of orienting
657. orifice
     an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity
658. orison
     reverent petition to a deity
659. ornate
     marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
660. ornithologist
     a zoologist who studies birds
661. ornithology
     the branch of zoology that studies birds
662. orotund
     ostentatiously lofty in style
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     It may, of course, vary in pitch, but tones of low pitch that are intended to be impressive are most suitably rendered in orotund quality.
     —Ontario. Ministry of Education
663. orthography
     a method of representing the sounds of a language by written or printed symbols
664. oscillate
     move or swing from side to side regularly
665. ossified
     set in a rigidly conventional pattern of behavior, habits, or beliefs
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     But voters like George Pappas, 37, a physical therapist, say they're equally as angry at the ossifiedpolitics at home.
     —Time (May 1, 2012)
666. ostensible
     appearing as such but not necessarily so
667. ostentatious
     intended to attract notice and impress others
668. ostracism
     the act of excluding someone from society by general consent
669. ostracize
     expel from a community or group
670. outgrowth
     the gradual beginning or coming forth
671. outmoded
     out of fashion
672. outset
     the time at which something is supposed to begin
673. overhaul
     make repairs, renovations, revisions or adjustments to
674. overt
     open and observable; not secret or hidden
675. overture
     orchestral music played at the beginning of an opera or oratorio
676. overweening
     presumptuously arrogant
677. overwrought
     deeply agitated especially from emotion
678. pan
     shallow container made of metal
679. panegyric
     formally expressing praise
680. paragon
     an ideal instance; a perfect embodiment of a concept
681. parasite
     an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
682. parquetry
     a patterned wood inlay used to cover a floor
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     He seemed like a clumsy circus hero as he scraped his feet over the parquetry and attempted to kiss her hand.
     —Huneker, James
683. pathology
     the branch of medical science that studies the causes and nature and effects of diseases
684. paucity
     an insufficient quantity or number
685. pebble
     a small smooth rounded rock
686. peccadillo
     a petty misdeed
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Mr. Hurd’s supposed peccadilloes were a smoke screen for the real reason they got rid of an executive they didn’t trust and employees didn’t like.
     —New York Times (Aug 13, 2010)
687. pedant
     a person who pays more attention to formal rules and book learning than they merit
688. pedantry
     an ostentatious and inappropriate display of learning
689. pedestrian
     a person who travels by foot
690. peer
     look searchingly
691. penchant
     a strong liking
692. penury
     a state of extreme poverty or destitution
693. perch
     an elevated place serving as a seat
694. peremptory
     putting an end to all debate or action
695. perennial
     lasting three seasons or more
696. perfidious
     tending to betray; especially having a treacherous character as attributed to the Carthaginians by the Romans
697. perfidy
     an act of deliberate betrayal
698. perfunctory
     hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
699. pernicious
     exceedingly harmful
700. perpetuate
     cause to continue or prevail
701. perplex
     be a mystery or bewildering to
702. pertinent
     being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
703. pervade
     spread or diffuse through
704. pestilence
     any epidemic disease with a high death rate
705. petition
     a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
706. petulance
     an irritable petulant feeling
707. petulant
     easily irritated or annoyed
708. philanthropist
     someone who makes charitable donations intended to increase human well-being
709. phlegmatic
     showing little emotion
710. pillage
     steal goods; take as spoils
711. pine
     a coniferous tree
712. piquant
     having an agreeably pungent taste
713. pique
     a sudden outburst of anger
714. pitch
     the property of sound that varies with variation in the frequency of vibration
715. pith
     soft spongelike central cylinder of the stems of most flowering plants
716. placate
     cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
717. placid
     (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
718. plaintiff
     a person who brings an action in a court of law
719. plaintive
     expressing sorrow
720. platitude
     a trite or obvious remark
721. plea
     a humble request for help from someone in authority
722. plead
     appeal or request earnestly
723. plethora
     extreme excess
724. plod
     walk heavily and firmly, as when weary, or through mud
725. pluck
     pull lightly but sharply with a plucking motion
726. plumb
     exactly vertical
727. plummet
     drop sharply
728. polemic
     a controversy (especially over a belief or dogma)
729. polymath
     a person of great and varied learning
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Often described as a polymath, Sunstein is fluent in political science and churns out books.
     —Slate (Apr 12, 2010)
730. ponderous
     having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
731. posit
     take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom
732. posture
     the arrangement of the body and its limbs
733. practitioner
     someone who practices a learned profession
734. preamble
     a preliminary introduction to a statute or constitution (usually explaining its purpose)
735. precarious
     not secure; beset with difficulties
736. precedence
     status established in order of importance or urgency
737. precious
     of high worth or cost
738. precipice
     a very steep cliff
739. precipitate
     bring about abruptly
740. precipitous
     extremely steep
741. preclude
     make impossible, especially beforehand
742. precursor
     something that precedes and indicates the approach of something or someone
743. predilection
     a predisposition in favor of something
744. predisposition
     an inclination beforehand to interpret statements in a particular way
745. preen
     clean with one's bill
746. premise
     a statement that is assumed to be true and from which a conclusion can be drawn
747. prerogative
     a right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
748. prescience
     the power to foresee the future
749. presume
     take to be the case or to be true; accept without verification or proof
750. presumption
     an assumption that is taken for granted
751. presumptuous
     excessively forward
752. prevaricate
     be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead or withhold information
753. pristine
     immaculately clean and unused
754. probity
     complete and confirmed integrity; having strong moral principles
755. proclamation
     a formal public statement
756. proclivity
     a natural inclination
757. prodigal
     recklessly wasteful
758. prodigality
     the trait of spending extravagantly
759. prodigious
     so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
760. prodigy
     an unusually gifted or intelligent (young) person; someone whose talents excite wonder and admiration
761. profligate
     unrestrained by convention or morality
762. profound
     situated at or extending to great depth; too deep to have been sounded or plumbed
763. profundity
     the quality of being physically deep
764. profuse
     produced or growing in extreme abundance
765. prolong
     lengthen in time; cause to be or last longer
766. prompt
     according to schedule or without delay; on time
767. prone
     having a tendency (to); often used in combination
768. propensity
     a natural inclination
769. propitiate
     make peace with
770. proposition
     a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection
771. propriety
     correct or appropriate behavior
772. prosaic
     lacking wit or imagination
773. protracted
     relatively long in duration; tediously protracted
774. provocation
     something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action
775. provocative
     serving or tending to provoke, excite, or stimulate; stimulating discussion or exciting controversy
776. prudent
     careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment
777. prune
     cultivate, tend, and cut back the growth of
778. pucker
     to gather something into small wrinkles or folds
779. pugnacious
     tough and callous by virtue of experience
780. pundit
     someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
781. pungent
     strong and sharp;"the pungent taste of radishes"
782. pusillanimous
     lacking in courage and manly strength and resolution; contemptibly fearful
783. putrefy
     become putrid; decay with an offensive smell
784. quack
     the harsh sound of a duck
785. quaff
     to swallow hurriedly or greedily or in one draught
786. qualm
     uneasiness about the fitness of an action
787. quarantine
     isolation to prevent the spread of infectious disease
788. quash
     declare invalid
789. quenching
     the act of extinguishing; causing to stop burning
790. quibble
     evade the truth of a point or question by raising irrelevant objections
791. quiescence
     a state of quiet (but possibly temporary) inaction
792. quintessential
     representing the perfect example of a class or quality
793. quiver
     shake with fast, tremulous movements
794. quotidian
     found in the ordinary course of events
795. ramification
     a development that complicates a situation
796. rampant
     unrestrained and violent
797. ranger
     an official who is responsible for managing and protecting an area of forest
798. rarefy
     lessen the density or solidity of
799. rash
     imprudently incurring risk
800. rationale
     (law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature)
801. recalcitrant
     stubbornly resistant to authority or control
802. recant
     formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
803. recede
     pull back or move away or backward
804. reciprocal
     concerning each of two or more persons or things; especially given or done in return
805. reckless
     marked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
806. recluse
     one who lives in solitude
807. recompense
     make payment to; compensate
808. recondite
     difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge
809. recourse
     act of turning to for assistance
810. redeem
     exchange or buy back for money; under threat
811. redoubtable
     inspiring fear
812. refractory
     stubbornly resistant to authority or control
813. refurbish
     make brighter and prettier
814. reinstate
     bring back into original existence, use, function, or position
815. rejoicing
     a feeling of great happiness
816. remorse
     a feeling of deep regret (usually for some misdeed)
817. rescind
     cancel officially
818. reticent
     reluctant to draw attention to yourself
819. reverberate
     ring or echo with sound
820. rigor
     excessive sternness
821. rotundity
     the roundness of a 3-dimensional object
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     The greater bulk of the latter is situated immediately beneath the skin, and occasions that beautiful rotundity so much admired in children.
     —Blacklock, Ambrose
822. salvage
     the act of rescuing a ship or its crew or its cargo from a shipwreck or a fire
823. sate
     fill to satisfaction
824. saturnine
     bitter or scornful
825. savant
     someone who has been admitted to membership in a scholarly field
826. scattered
     lacking orderly continuity
827. sedulous
     marked by care and persistent effort
828. shatter
     break into many pieces
829. shirk
     avoid (one's assigned duties)
830. shrill
     having or emitting a high-pitched and sharp tone or tones
831. shuck
     material consisting of seed coverings and small pieces of stem or leaves that have been separated from the seeds
832. shun
     avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of
833. shunt
     a conductor having low resistance in parallel with another device to divert a fraction of the current
834. simper
     smile affectedly or derisively
835. sinister
     stemming from evil characteristics or forces; wicked or dishonorable
836. sip
     drink in sips
837. skeptical
     marked by or given to doubt
838. sketchy
     giving only major points; lacking completeness
839. skiff
     any of various small boats propelled by oars or by sails or by a motor
840. slack
     not tense or taut
841. sloppy
     lacking neatness or order
842. slur
     utter indistinctly
843. smother
     deprive of oxygen and prevent from breathing
844. sober
     not affected by a chemical substance (especially alcohol)
845. somber
     grave or even gloomy in character
846. sordid
     foul and run-down and repulsive
847. specious
     plausible but false
848. spell
     write or name the letters that comprise the conventionally accepted form of (a word or part of a word)
849. spendthrift
     someone who spends money prodigally
850. spine
     the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
851. sporadic
     recurring in scattered and irregular or unpredictable instances
852. spurious
     plausible but false
853. squalid
     foul and run-down and repulsive
854. squander
     spend thoughtlessly; throw away
855. squelch
     suppress or crush completely
856. stake
     a strong wooden or metal post with a point at one end so it can be driven into the ground
857. stark
     severely simple
858. startle
     to stimulate to action
859. steadfast
     marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
860. steep
     having a sharp inclination
861. stickler
     someone who insists on something
862. stiff
     incapable of or resistant to bending
863. stifled
     held in check with difficulty
864. stigma
     a symbol of disgrace or infamy
865. stigmatize
     to accuse or condemn or openly or formally or brand as disgraceful
866. stint
     supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
867. stipulate
     specify as a condition or requirement in a contract or agreement; make an express demand or provision in an agreement
868. stockade
     fortification consisting of a fence made of a line of stout posts set firmly for defense
869. stoop
     bend one's back forward from the waist on down
870. strain
     to exert much effort or energy
871. stray
     wander from a direct course or at random
872. striate
     marked with stria or striations
873. strive
     attempt by employing effort
874. strut
     to walk with a lofty proud gait, often in an attempt to impress others
875. subdue
     put down by force or intimidation
876. suborn
     incite to commit a crime or an evil deed
877. subpoena
     a writ issued by court authority to compel the attendance of a witness at a judicial proceeding; disobedience may be punishable as a contempt of court
878. subsequent
     following in time or order
879. subside
     sink to a lower level or form a depression
880. substantial
     having substance or capable of being treated as fact; not imaginary
881. succumb
     consent reluctantly
882. supplant
     take the place or move into the position of
883. supplicate
     ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
884. susceptible
     (often followed by `of' or `to') yielding readily to or capable of
885. sway
     move back and forth or sideways
886. swift
     moving very fast
887. swindle
     deprive of by deceit
888. syncopated
     stressing a normally weak beat
889. tacit
     implied by or inferred from actions or statements
890. taciturn
     habitually reserved and uncommunicative
891. tamp
     press down tightly
892. tangential
     of superficial relevance if any
893. tangible
     perceptible by the senses especially the sense of touch
894. tantalize
     harass with persistent criticism or carping
895. tapestry
     a wall hanging of heavy handwoven fabric with pictorial designs
896. tarnish
     make dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
897. taut
     pulled or drawn tight
898. temperate
     not extreme
899. tenable
     based on sound reasoning or evidence
900. tentative
     unsettled in mind or opinion
901. tepid
     moderately warm
902. tirade
     a speech of violent denunciation
903. topple
     fall down, as if collapsing
904. torment
     intense feelings of suffering; acute mental or physical pain
905. torpid
     in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
906. torpor
     a state of motor and mental inactivity with a partial suspension of sensibility
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Just as often, though, it was in search of an anchor, approaching torpor.
     —New York Times (May 6, 2011)
907. tout
     advertize in strongly positive terms
908. traitor
     a person who says one thing and does another
909. trample
     tread or stomp heavily or roughly
910. transgress
     act in disregard of laws, rules, contracts, or promises
911. treacherous
     dangerously unstable and unpredictable
912. tremor
     an involuntary vibration (as if from illness or fear)
913. trenchant
     having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
914. trepidation
     a feeling of alarm or dread
915. truce
     a state of peace agreed to between opponents so they can discuss peace terms
916. truculence
     obstreperous and defiant aggressiveness
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     He shoved his horse past me and up to Miss Bennett, his red moustache bristling, truculence in every outline of his heavy shoulders.
     —Ross, Martin
917. turpitude
     a corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice
918. tyro
     someone new to a field or activity
919. unequivocal
     admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding; having only one meaning or interpretation and leading to only one conclusion
920. untenable
     (of theories etc) incapable of being defended or justified
921. untoward
     not in keeping with accepted standards of what is right or proper in polite society
922. uphold
     stand up for; stick up for; of causes, principles, or ideals
923. uproar
     a state of commotion and noise and confusion
924. usurp
     seize and take control without authority and possibly with force; take as one's right or possession
925. vacillate
     be undecided about something; waver between conflicting positions or courses of action
926. vagary
     an unexpected and inexplicable change in something (in a situation or a person's behavior, etc.)
927. vagrant
     a wanderer who has no established residence or visible means of support
928. valiant
     having or showing valor
929. vanity
     feelings of excessive pride
930. varnish
     a coating that provides a hard, lustrous, transparent finish to a surface
931. vehemence
     intensity or forcefulness of expression
932. venerable
     profoundly honored
933. venerate
     regard with feelings of respect and reverence; consider hallowed or exalted or be in awe of
934. veracious
     habitually speaking the truth
935. veracity
     unwillingness to tell lies
936. verdant
     characterized by abundance of verdure
937. veritable
     not counterfeit or copied
938. vertigo
     a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
939. vex
     cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
940. viable
     capable of life or normal growth and development
941. vicious
     having the nature of vice
942. vigilance
     the process of paying close and continuous attention
943. vigor
     forceful exertion
944. vilify
     spread negative information about
945. vindicate
     show to be right by providing justification or proof
946. vindictive
     disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
947. vituperate
     spread negative information about
948. vituperative
     marked by harshly abusive criticism
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Tennessee Williams’s later work would be lucky to be deemed problematic, so vituperative have commentators been in their appraisals over time.
     —New York Times (May 17, 2011)
949. vogue
     a current state of general acceptance and use
950. volubility
     the quality of being facile in speech and writing
951. voluptuous
     displaying luxury and furnishing gratification to the senses
952. voracious
     devouring or craving food in great quantities
953. vulnerable
     capable of being wounded or hurt
954. wan
     become pale and sickly
955. wardrobe
     a tall piece of furniture that provides storage space for clothes; has a door and rails or hooks for hanging clothes
956. wary
     marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
957. waver
     pause or hold back in uncertainty or unwillingness
958. weary
     physically and mentally fatigued
959. welter
     a confused multitude of things
960. wheedle
     influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
961. whimsical
     determined by chance or impulse or whim rather than by necessity or reason
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Dessert is an afterthought at Topaz Thai: her daughter, Aliyah, concocts some whimsicalconfections, like fried Oreos and brownies served with ice cream.
     —New York Times (Mar 9, 2012)
962. wile
     the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
963. withhold
     hold back; refuse to hand over or share
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     By doing so, we are withholding from our neediest students any reason to read at all.
     —New York Times (Apr 23, 2012)
964. zealot
     a fervent and even militant proponent of something
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Tyranny likes courtiers, flatterers, followers, fawners, and superstition wants believers, disciples,zealots, hypocrites, and subscribers.
     —Ingersoll, Robert Green
965. zenith
     the point above the observer that is directly opposite the nadir on the imaginary sphere against which celestial bodies appear to be projected
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Performance increased at a slower pace after age 20, reaching a zenith of 83 percent correct responses for study volunteers between ages 30 and 34.
     —US News (Dec 14, 2010)
966. zephyr
     a slight wind (usually refreshing)
     EXAMPLE SENTENCE:

     Thy zephyrs soft, thy falling showers, No more have charms for me; Maternal Summer, too, adieu!—
     —Ballou, Maturin Murray