Word PRO

abash abate abdicate v. to make ashamed; to embarrass v. to subside; to reduce (n) abatement v. to step down from a position of power or responsibility (n) abdication n. something not typical (adj) aberrant v. to approve, encourage, and support v. to hate very very much (adj) abhorrent; (n) abhorrence adj. hopeless; extremely sad and servile v. to repudiate; to take back; to refrain from v. to deny oneself things; reject v. to shorten; to condense adj. perfect in quality or nature; complete v. to forgive blame, sin, or an obligation (n) absolution adj. voluntarily not doing something (v) abstain; (n) abstinence adj. hard to understand v. give in; to yield; to agree 1

aberration abet abhor abject abjure abnegate abridge absolute absolve abstinent abstruse accede

Word PRO
acclaim accolade acerbic acquiesce acrimonious acumen acute adamant adherent admonish adroit adulation adverse advocate aesthetic 2 v. to praise publicly and enthusiastically n. an award; an honor adj. sour; severe; like acid in temper, mood, or tone v. to comply passively; to accept; to agree (adj) acquiescent adj. full of spite; bitter (n) acrimony n. keenness of judgment; mental sharpness adj. sharp; shrewd adj. stubborn; unyielding; inflexible n. follower; supporter (v) adhere; (adj)(n) adhesive v. to. scold gently; to warn (n) admonition adj. skillful; clever; shrewd n. wild or excessive admiration; flattery (v) adulate adj. unfavorable; antagonistic (n) adversity v. to speak, plead, or argue in favor of adj. having to do with artistic beauty; artistic

Word PRO
affable affectation affinity affirm affluent aggrandize aggregate alacrity alienate allay allege alleviate alloy allude adj. easy to talk to; friendly (n) affability n. unnatural or artificial behavior (adj) affected n. sympathy; attraction; kinship; similarity v. to declare positively or firmly; to support or uphold the validity of adj. rich; prosperous v. to increase the scope of; to make greater in power, influence, or reputation, etc. v. to collect or gather into a whole (ant) disaggregate n. cheerful eagerness or readiness to respond (adj) alacritous v. to estrange; to make hostile v. to reduce the intensity of; to calm or pacify v. to assert without proof (n) allegation; (adv) allegedly v. to relieve; to make bearable; to lessen n. a combination of two or more things (ant) unalloyed v. to make an indirect reference (v) allude; (adj) allusive 3

Word PRO
aloof altruism adj. uninvolved; keeping ones distance n. an unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of others (n) altruist; (adj) altruistic adj. unclear in meaning; confusing (n) ambiguity adj. having opposed feelings simultaneously (n) ambivalence v. to make better or more tolerable adj. obedient; agreeable adj. friendly; agreeable n. an official pardon for a group of people who have violated a law or policy adj. shapeless; without a regular or stable shape n. something out of place in time (adj) anachronistic adj. similar or alike (n) analogy n. absence of government or control; disorder adj. subordinate; providing assistance n. resentment; hostility; ill will

ambiguous ambivalent ameliorate amenable amiable amnesty amorphous anachronism analogous anarchy ancillary animosity

Word PRO
annihilate anomaly antagonize antecedent antipathy apathy apocalypse v. to destroy completely; to nullify n. an aberration; an irregularity; a deviation (adj) anomalous v. to incur the dislike of n. someone/something that went before (v) antecede n. firm dislike (adj) antipathetic n. lack of interest; lack of feeling (adj) apathetic n. a prophetic revelation, especially one concerning the end of the world (adj) apocalyptic adj. of dubious authenticity; fictitious (n) apocrypha v. to shock or offend someone very much v. to soothe; to satisfy or relieve (n) appeasement v. to express approval; to praise adj. worried; capable of understanding (v) apprehend; (n) apprehension n. approval; praise (v) approbate

apocryphal appall appease applaud apprehensive approbation

Word PRO
appropriate (1) v. to use for oneself without permission; (2) adj. suitable, fitting (n) appropriation (ant) misappropriate n. capacity for learning; natural ability (adj) apt (ant) ineptitude adj. random; capricious adj. mysterious; known or understood by only a few adj. extremely old; ancient; outdated adj. passionate; enthusiastic (n) ardor adj. hard; difficult adj. crafty; wily; sly (ant) artless adj. expressing clearly and effectively v. to pronounce or express distinctly (syn) enunciate n. a clever trick; cunning adj. practicing self-denial (n) asceticism adj. hard-working; busy; quite diligent v. to soothe; to pacify; to relieve

aptitude

arbitrary arcane archaic ardent arduous artful articulate

artifice ascetic assiduous assuage 6

Word PRO
assume astute attrition audacity augment augur auspicious austere v. (1) undertake the duties of; (2) to affect the appearance of; (3) to suppose adj. shrewd; keen in judgment n. gradual wearing away or loss n. boldness; reckless daring (adj) audacious v. to make bigger; to increase (n) augmentation v. to serve as an omen or be a sign; to predict or foretell adj. favorable; promising adj. unadorned; stern; forbidding; without excess (n) austerity n. greed; excessive love of riches (adj) avaricious v. to claim; to admit (n) avowal (ant) disavow adj. off course; twisted to one side adj. self-evident (n) axiom adj. unoriginal; ordinary (n) banality 7

avarice avow

awry axiomatic banal

Word PRO
baneful adj. harmful; causing death, destruction or ruin (n) bane (syn) baleful v. to go over repeatedly or to an absurd extent v. to surround; to besiege; to harass v. to give a false impression of; to contradict v. to make to seem little; to put someone down adj. combative; quarrelsome (n) belligerence adj. performing acts of kindness or charity adj. generous; kind; doing good (n) benevolence deeds adj. (1) gentle; kind; (2) not harmful (syn) benignant (ant) malign v. to rebuke or scold angrily and at length v. to stain; to make dirty n. an insult to something held sacred or holy; profanity (adj) blasphemous adj. unpleasantly or offensively noisy; glaring

belabor beleaguer belie belittle belligerent beneficent benevolent benign

berate besmirch blasphemy

blatant

Word PRO
blight n. disease in plants; anything that injures or destroys (adj) blighted adj. carefree; cheerful n. a serious mistake typically caused by ignorance or confusion (syn) bumble,; bungle; fumble; flounder adj. (1) having a dull end; sharp (2) abrupt and frank in speech adj. counterfeit or fake adj. violent; loud, noisy, and lacking in restraint or discipline v. to support; to buoy up v. to open up a subject for discussion, often a delicate subject adj. charmingly rural; rustic; countrylike v. to work or act ineptly or inefficiently (syn) fumble; bumble; blunder; flounder v. to expand; to flourish n. harsh-sounding mixture of words, voices, or sounds (adj) cacophonous v. to urge with gentle and repeated appeals or flattery 9

blithe blunder

blunt bogus boisterous bolster broach bucolic bungle burgeon cacophony

cajole

Word PRO
calamity callous callow candor capitulate capricious n. a disaster adj. having calluses; emotionally hardened; unfeeling adj. immature n. truthfulness; sincere honesty (adj) candid v. to surrender; to give up or give in adj. unpredictable; like to change at any moment (n) caprice v. to criticize severely; to chastise (n) castigation adj. unconditional; absolute adj. universal; embracing everything (syn) universal; cosmopolitan; ecumenical adj. like acid; corrosive v. to condemn severely for doing something bad n. humiliation; embarrassed disappointment adj. of great disorder or confusion n. fraud; quack; con man (syn) quack; imposter

castigate categorical catholic caustic censure chagrin chaotic charlatan

10

Word PRO
chasm chastise chicanery n. a deep, gaping hole; a gorge v. to inflict punishment on; to discipline n. trickery; deceitfulness; especially legal or political (syn) subterfuge adj. hot-tempered; quick to anger (n) choler adj. constant; lasting a long time; inveterate (ant) acute n. a rude, insensitive person (n) churl; (syn) boorish; loutish n. an indirect expression; use of wordy or evasive language v. to draw a line around; to set the limits; to define; to restrict v. to go around; to avoid or get around by artful maneuvering adj. concealed or secret, usually for an evil or subversive purpose n. mercy; forgiveness; mildness (adj) clement (ant) inclement n. an overused saying or idea (syn) bromide; platitude 11

choleric chronic churl circumlocution circumscribe circumvent clandestine clemency

clich

Word PRO
coalesce coerce v. to come together as one; to fuse; to unite v. to force someone to do or not to do something (n) coercion adj. powerfully convincing adj. holding together; making sense n. conversational; informal in language v. to work with someone secretly in order to cheat or deceive others (n) collusion (syn) connive; conspire adj. spacious; roomy adj. forceful; causing to yield (v) compel n. a summary; an abridgment (adj) compendious adj. self-satisfied; overly pleased with oneself adj. willing to comply; submissive n. calmness, tranquility adj. covering or including everything (n) comprehension v. to acknowledge as true or right; to grant or yield

cogent coherent colloquial collude

commodious compelling compendium complacent compliant composure comprehensive concede

12

Word PRO
conciliatory adj. making peace; attempting to resolve a dispute through goodwill (v) conciliate n. harmony; agreement (n) concordance (ant) discord adj. happening at the same time; parallel (v) concur v. to express strong disapproval v. (1) to lower oneself; (2) to assume an air of superiority (adj) condescending v. to overlook; to permit to happen adj. promoting v. to cause to become confused adj. agreeably suitable; pleasant (n) congeniality; genial adj. existing at or before birth; innate v. to bring or come together in a group v. to infer from inconclusive evidence; guess (adj) conjectural n. an expert, particularly in matter of art or taste

concord

concurrent condemn condescend

condone conducive confound congenial congenital congregate conjecture connoisseur

13

Word PRO
consecrate consensus consonant v. to make or declare sacred (ant) desecrate n. unanimity or general agreement adj. harmonious; in agreement (n) consonance (ant) dissonant adj. easy to notice; obvious v. to plan or plot secretly (syn) collude; connive v. to understand; to explain the sense; to interpret (ant) misconstrue v. to consider carefully and at length adj. happening during the same period of time; contemporary adj. argumentative; quarrelsome (v) contend; (n) contention adj. side by side; adjoining adj. dependent; possible (n) contingency adj. admitting guilt; especially feeling remorseful (n) contrition

conspicuous conspire construe

contemplate contemporaneous contentious contiguous contingent contrite

14

Word PRO
contrived convivial convoluted copious corroborate countenance covert covet credulous adj. artificial; labored (v) contrive adj. friendly and pleasantly cheerful (n) conviviality adj. intricate; complicated adj. abundant; plentiful v. to confirm; to back up with evidence v. to give or express approval to adj. secret; hidden (ant) overt v. to wish for enviously (adj) covetous adj. eager to believe; gullible (n) credulity (ant) incredulous adj. mysterious; mystifying v. to climax; to reach full effect (n) culmination adj. deserving blame; guilty (n) culpability (ant) inculpable adj. difficult to handle; troublesome adj. hasty; superficial 15

cryptic culminate culpable

cumbersome cursory

Word PRO
curt curtail cynical dabble dampen daunt dazzle dearth debacle debauchery debilitate debunk decadent adj. rudely brief or abrupt; using few words v. to shorten; to cut short adj. skeptical or distrustful of human motives (n) cynic v. to undertake something superficially v. to become wet; to deaden, restrain, or depress v. to make fearful; to intimidate (adj) daunting v. to blind with intense light; to amaze, overwhelm n. lack; scarcity n. great disaster; complete failure n. wild living; excessive intemperance (v) debauch; (adj) debauched v. to weaken; to cripple (n) debility v. to expose the nonsense of adj. decaying or decayed, especially in terms of morals (n) decadence

16

Word PRO
decorous adj. proper; in good taste (n) decorum (ant) indecorous v. to condemn openly v. (1) postpone; (2) to accept anothers opinions or judgment through respect (n) deference; deferral; (adj) deferential; deferrable v. to remove the fuse from; to make less tense or hostile v. to oppose or resist with boldness and assurance adj. harmful v. (1) to describe accurately; (2) to indicate by lines or sketch v. to deceive (n) delusion n. a flood; something that overwhelms as if by a great flood v. to object; to take exception v. to condemn openly v. to decrease the supply of; to use up n. extreme wickedness or corruption (v) deprave 17

decry defer

defuse defy deleterious delineate delude deluge demur denounce deplete depravity

Word PRO
deprecate deride derogatory despondent despot destitute desultory deter detract detrimental devious dexterous didactic diffident diffuse digress 18 v. to express disapproval of v. to ridicule; to laugh at contemptuously adj. disapproving; degrading (v) derogate adj. extremely depressed; full of despair (n) despondence n. an absolute ruler; an autocrat (adj) despotic adj. extremely poor; utterly lacking adj. without a plan or purpose; disconnected; random v. to prevent or discourage from acting v. (1) to take away (2) to speak ill of; belittle adj. causing damage or harm adj. (1) dishonest or deceitful; (2) not direct adj. skillful in the use of the hands adj. intended to teach; morally instructive adj. timid; lacking in self-confidence (ant) confident (1) v. to pour out, spread out, scatter; (2) adj. not concentrated; wordy v. to stray from the main subject

Word PRO
dilettante discern n. someone with superficial knowledge of the arts; an amateur v. to have insight; to see things clearly, to recognize, to understand; to discriminate (adj) discerning; discernible adj. unconnected; separate; distinct n. (1) circumspection; (2) ability or power to decide responsibly (adj) discreet; discretionary n. a feeling or show of contempt adj. not straightforward or candid adj. not taking sides; unbiased v. to belittle; to reduce in esteem or rank adj. fundamentally distinct or different v. to spread the seeds of something; to scatter; to make widely known v. to disagree; to withhold approval v. (1) to drive away or disperse; (2) to waste or squander v. to swell; to extend a great deal v. to misshape; misrepresent; to pervert adj. going in different directions; differing 19

discrete discretion

disdain disingenuous disinterested disparage disparate disseminate dissent dissipate distend distort divergent

Word PRO
docile dogmatic duplicity ebullient eccentric eclectic edify adj. easily taught; obedient adj. arrogantly authoritative and assertive of unproven ideas n. the act of being two-faced; deception adj. boiling; bubbling with excitement (n) ebullience adj. not conventional; irregular (n) eccentricity adj. choosing the best from many sources v. to enlighten; to instruct, especially in moral or religious matters (n) edification; (adj) edifying v. to erase; to rub away the features of adj. unrestrained or excessive in emotional expression (n) effusion adj. believing in the social and economic equality of all people adj. extremely bad and noticeable (1) adj. planned in great detail; (2) v. to express in great detail adj. extremely happy and excited v. to bring out; to call forth

efface effusive

egalitarian egregious elaborate elated elicit 20

Word PRO
eloquent elucidate elusive embellish eminent emulate adj. persuasive and powerful in speech adj. to make clear; explain adj. difficult to find or catch (v) elude v. to make beautiful; decorate adj. better than anyone else; important (n) eminence v. to strive to equal or excel, usually through imitation (n) emulation adj. native; restricted to a particular region or era (ant) pandemic v. to reduce the strength or energy gradually (adj) enervate; (n) enervation v. to grant the privileges of citizenship, especially the right to vote (ant) disenfranchise v. to bring into existence; to cause; to reproduce offspring v. to make greater adj. puzzling, ambiguous, or inexplicable v. to give spiritual or intellectual insight; to give information 21

endemic

enervate enfranchise

engender enhance enigmatic enlighten

Word PRO
entice ephemeral epitome v. to attract by arousing hope or desire adj. lasting a very short time n. a brief summary; the perfect example of something; a paradigm (v) epitomize n. composure; calm (adj) equanimous n. mental or emotional balance (syn) equipoise adj. ambiguous; intentionally confusing (v) equivocate adj. lacking consistency, regularity, or uniformity adj. scholarly; deeply learned (n) erudition v. to avoid adj. hard to understand; confined to a small group (ant) exoteric v. to support; to advocate adj. light and insubstantial like ether; delicate; heavenly adj. using a pleasant or inoffensive expression

equanimity equilibrium equivocal erratic erudite eschew esoteric

espouse ethereal euphemistic

22

Word PRO
evanescent evasive evince exacerbate exacting adj. lasting only for a short time adj. avoiding cleverly; vague or ambiguous v. to show or demonstrate clearly v. to make worse adj. extremely demanding; requiring great skill or care (v) exact v. to raise high; to glorify v. to make very angry or impatient adj. extremely thorough and complete (v) exhaust v. to cause to feel refreshed and energetic adj. requiring immediate action or remedy (n) exigency v. to free completely from blame (n) exoneration v. to speed up or ease the progress of (n) expedition;(adj) expedient adj. clearly and directly expressed (ant) implicit (1) n. a heroic act or deed; (2) to make use of selfishly or unethically

exalt exasperate exhaustive exhilarate exigent exonerate expedite explicit exploit

23

Word PRO
extol extraneous extravagant extrovert exuberant exult fabricate facetious facile falter farcical fastidious fathom fatuous v. to praise highly; to laud adj. inessential or unrelated to the topic; coming from outside adj. spending much more than is necessary or wise; wasteful n. an open, outgoing person (ant) introvert adj. full of unrestrained enthusiasm of joy v. to rejoice; to celebrate v. to create; to invent a story to deceive (n) fabrication adj. clumsily humorous adj. (1) fluent; skillful in a superficial way; (2) easy v. to hesitate or waver in action, purpose, intent, etc. adj. ridiculously clumsy; absurd (n) farce adj. very careful about small details v. (1) to determine the depth of; (2) to comprehend adj. foolish; silly

24

Word PRO
fawn feckless fecund felicity v. (1) to seek favor or attention by flattery; (2) a young deer adj. (1) ineffective; incompetent; (2) irresponsible adj. fertile; productive (n) fecundity n. great happiness; skillfulness, especially at expressing things (adj) felicitous n. great warmth; intensity of emotion (adj) fervent v. to restrain; to hamper (v) enfetter (ant) unfetter n. faithfulness; loyalty (ant) infidelity adj. used in a nonliteral way to give you a particular idea or picture in your mind; metaphorical (ant) literal n. refinement and delicacy of performance; skillful handling of a situation adj. lacking firmness adj. conspicuously bad or offensive

fervor fetter

fidelity figurative

finesse flabby flagrant

25

Word PRO
flamboyant flaunt fleeting flout foible foment forbear forego forge forsake fortuitous founder fractious fraudulent frenetic frivolous frugal furtive 26 adj. highly elaborate; richly colored; showy v. show off; to display ostentatiously adj. passing quickly v. to disregard something out of disrespect n. a minor character flaw v. to stir up; to promote the growth of v. to refrain from; to abstain (n) forbearance v. to abstain from v. (1) to imitate for fraudulent purposes; (2) progress steadily v. to abandon adj. accidental; occurring by chance v. to fail; to collapse; to sink adj. inclined to make trouble; irritable adj. engaging in deceit or trickery adj. wildly excited or active adj. (1) trivial; (2) inappropriately silly adj. economical; penny-pinching (ant) prodigal adj. secretive; sly

Word PRO
futile garrulous gauche genteel glut adj. useless; hopeless adj. talkative; chatty (n) garrulity adj. lacking social polish; awkward and tactless (ant) adroit; dexterous adj. refined; polite; aristocratic (n) gentility v. to fill beyond capacity, especially with food; to eat or indulge excessively (n) glutton; gluttony; (adj) gluttonous adj. using words that are intended to sound important (n) grandiloquence adj. grand; feigning greatness in attitude (n) grandiosity v. to please or satisfy adj. (1) given freely; (2) unjustified (adj) grave n. seriousness adj. tending to live in a group; sociable n. cunning ; duplicity ; artfulness (v) beguile; (adj) guileful; guileless adj. overfamiliar through overuse (n) hackney 27

grandiloquent

grandiose gratify gratuitous gravity gregarious guile hackneyed

Word PRO
hallow haphazard harangue harbinger hauteur havoc hedonism heresy v. to make holy; to respect or honor greatly adj. dependent upon or characterized by mere chance v. to speak in a loud angry way, often for a long time n. a forerunner; a signal of something n. scornful, proud and unfriendly behavior (adj) haughty n. widespread destruction; disorder or chaos n. the pursuit of pleasure as a way of life (n) hedonist n. any belief that is strongly opposed to established beliefs (adj) heretical; (n) heretic adj. (1) staying separate from others; (2) completely sealed (n) hermit (syn) recluse n. a break or interruption, often from work v. to get in the way; to interfere with action or progress adj. excessively dramatic and emotional v. to accumulate for future use (n) hoarder

hermetic

hiatus hinder histrionic hoard

28

Word PRO
hoax homage homely homily homogenous n. an act intended to deceive or trick n. special honor or respect shown or expressed publicly adj. not attractive or good-looking (ant) comely n. a sermon adj. uniform; made entirely of one thing (v) homogenize (ant) heterogeneous n. arrogance; excessive pride n. (1) thrifty management of resources; (2) livestock farming (v) husband n. an exaggeration used as a figure of speech ; exaggeration n. one who attacks popular beliefs or institutions (adj) iconoclastic n. a peculiarity ; an eccentricity (adj) idiosyncratic adj. beautiful and peaceful without dangers or problems n. deep disgrace (adj) ignominious 29

hubris husbandry

hyperbole iconoclast

idiosyncrasy idyllic ignominy

Word PRO
illicit imbue immerse imminent immutable impartial impeccable impede imperious impervious impetuous implement impose improvise 30 adj. illegal; not permitted (ant) licit v. to inspire as with feelings, opinions; to saturate with moisture, color v. (1) to cover completely in a liquid; (2) to engage wholly or deeply adj. likely to happen very soon adj. unchangeable (ant) mutable adj. not partial or biased (n) impartiality adj. flawless; entirely without sin (ant) peccable v. to obstruct or interfere with; to delay adj. arrogantly domineering (syn) imperial adj. not allowing anything to pass through (ant) pervious adj. impulsive; extremely impatient adj. to carry out (n) implementation v. to establish or apply as compulsory v. to perform without preparation

Word PRO
imprudent impugn inadvertent inalienable inane inaugurate adj. not sensible or wise v. to attack, especially to attack the truth or integrity of something adj. unintentional; inattentive or careless adj. not transferable to another adj. silly; senseless (n) inanity v. to begin officially; to induct formally into office (n) inauguration adj. brilliant; giving off heat or light adj. make very angry adj. continuing without interruption (v) cease adj. beginning to exist or appear (n) inception adj. penetrating, clear, and sharp (v) incise; (n) incision adj. not harmonious; not appropriate; not consistent (ant) congruous adj. incapable of being corrected or reformed (ant) corrigible

incandescent incense incessant incipient incisive incongruous

incorrigible

31

Word PRO
increment indefatigable indigenous indigent indolent indulgent ineffable inept n. an increase (adj) incremental adj. incapable of being tired out adj. native; originating in that area adj. very poor adj. lazy adj. (1) yielding to desire; (2) lenient (v) indulge; (n) indulgence adj. incapable of being expressed or described (ant) effable adj. clumsy; incompetent (n) ineptitude (ant) ept adj. inactive; not reacting chemically (n) inertia adj. relentless; inevitable; unavoidable adj. difficult or impossible to explain adj. foolishly passionate or attracted (n) infatuation adj. inventive and imaginative adj. frank; simple; charmingly nave (n) ingnue (ant) disingenuous

inert inexorable inexplicable infatuated ingenious ingenuous

32

Word PRO
inherent inimical innate innocuous innuendo insatiable adj. existing as an essential characteristic; intrinsic adj. (1) injurious or harmful; (2) hostile, unfriendly adj. existing since birth; inborn adj. harmless; banal (ant) nocuous n. an indirect or subtle expression adj. hard or impossible to satisfy; greedy; avaricious (ant) satiable adj. difficult to understand adj. working or spreading harmfully in a subtle manner v. to say something unpleasant in an indirect way (n) insinuation adj. lacking flavor; lacking excitement or interest adj. arrogant; insulting (n) insolence v. to provoke; to stir up (n) instigation (syn) incite 33

inscrutable insidious insinuate

insipid insolent instigate

Word PRO
insular insurgent adj. (1) relating to an island; (2) isolated (n) insularity n. someone who fights against a government or an authority (adj) insurgent; (n) insurgency (syn) rebel adj. uncontrollable; disobedient (ant) tractable adj. uncompromising; stubborn (n) intransigence adj. courageous, fearless adj. interesting in a strange, mysterious, and unexpected way adj. of the essential nature of a thing; inherent adj. examining oneself or ones feelings v. (1) to cover completely with water; (2) to overwhelm n. insulting or abusive speech adj. habitual; deeply rooted adj. easily angered; irritable adj. impossible to prove to be false adj. impossible to change (ant) revocable

intractable intransigent intrepid intriguing intrinsic introspective inundate invective inveterate irascible irrefutable irrevocable

34

Word PRO
itinerant jaunty jejune jibe jocular judicious justify juxtapose keen kudos labyrinth adj. moving from place to place (v) itinerate adj. lively and confident adj. not interesting; childish v. to be in accord; agree adj. joking or humorous adj. exercising sound judgment v. to demonstrate or prove to be just, right, or valid v. to place side by side (n) juxtaposition adj. sharp; sensitive; intellectually quick; enthusiastic n. acclaim or praise for exceptional achievement n. a maze; something highly intricate or convoluted in character (adj) labyrinthine adj. lacking brightness, or vitality; dull adj. using few words, especially to the point of seeming rude

lackluster laconic

35

Word PRO
lament v. to express feelings of great sadness or disappointment (adj) lamentable v. to become weak or depressed (adj) languid; (n) languor v. to praise; to glorify (adj) laudatory; laudable adj. negligent; lazy; irresponsible n. laziness; drowsiness; indifference (adj) lethargic n. lightness; inconsistency n. a false publication that damages a persons reputation v. to try in court; to engage in legal proceedings (n) litigation adj. talking a lot or too much (n) loquacity adj. clear; easy to understand adj. (1) causing shock or horror; (2) too brightly colored adj. courageously noble in mind and heart; generous in forgiving (n) magnanimity

languish laud lax lethargy levity libel litigate

loquacious lucid lurid magnanimous

36

Word PRO
malaise malignant malinger malleable maudlin n. a feeling of depression, uneasiness, or queasiness adj. (1) showing ill will; (2) injurious (ant) benignant v. to pretend to be sick to avoid doing work adj. easy to shape or bend; easily controlled or influenced adj. talking or behaving in a sad, silly, and emotional way (syn) mawkish adj. deficient in quantity or fullness adj. moderate to inferior in quality; ordinary adj. sweetly flowing adj. lying; dishonest (n) mendacity (ant) veracious n. a hired soldier; someone who will do anything for money (adj) mercenary adj. (1) rapidly changing in mood; (2) lively and active n. a change in form (v) metamorphose adj. extremely careful and precise 37

meager mediocre mellifluous mendacious

mercenary

mercurial metamorphosis meticulous

Word PRO
misanthropic adj. hating mankind (n) misanthrope; misanthropist (ant) philanthropic adj. greedy; not spending money adj. leading in the wrong direction; leading into error of thought or action adj. an error in naming a person or a place v. to moderate the effect of something (n) mitigation adj. a small or moderate amount v. to soften; to soothe adj. of utmost importance adj. spoken in an unvarying tone; lacking in variety adj. dying adj. bad tempered, unhappy and silent (ant) jocose adj. to humiliate (n) mortification adj. (1) ordinary; pretty boring; (2) not heavenly and eternal adj. very generous; lavish (n) munificence

miserly misleading misnomer mitigate modicum mollify momentous monotonous moribund morose mortify mundane munificent

38

Word PRO
myopia myriad nebulous nefarious negligent neologism nepotism nominal novel noxious obdurate obfuscate oblique n. nearsightedness; lack of foresight (adj) myopic n. a huge number (adj) myriad adj. cloudy; vague (n) nebula adj. evil; criminal adj. lazily careless n. a new word or phrase n. favoritism shown to relatives, as in business or politics adj. in name only; insignificant adj. new; original (n) novelty adj. harmful; offensive adj. stubborn and insensitive (n) obduracy v. to darken; to confuse (n) obfuscation adj. (1) having a slanting direction; inclined; (2) indirect or dishonest

39

Word PRO
oblivion n. total forgetfulness; the state of being forgotten (adj) oblivious adj. eager to please someone, in a way that does not seem sincere adj. firmly or stubbornly adhering to ones purpose, opinion, etc. adj. (1) lacking quickness of perception or intellect; (2) not sharp, pointed (ant) acute adj. annoyingly eager to help or advise adj. burdensome; oppressive adj. (1) impossible to see through; (2) impossible to understand (n) opacity adj. affluent; luxurious (n) opulence adj. conventional; adhering to established principles or doctrines (n) orthodoxy (ant) unorthodox; heterodox v. (1) to swing back and forth; (2) to swing indecisively from one action or opinion to another

obsequious obstinate obtuse

officious onerous opaque

opulent orthodox

oscillate

40

Word PRO
ossify ostensible ostentatious pacify v. (1) to change into bone; (2) to become set in a rigidly conventional pattern adj. represented or appearing as such adj. excessively conspicuous; showing off (n) ostentation v. to ease the anger or agitation; to establish peace (n) pacification adj. extremely careful and diligent v. to make less severe or intense without curing (a, n) palliative adj. capable of being touched; obvious (ant) impalpable adj. insignificant; worthless n. something that cures everything n. a model or example (adj) paradigmatic n. a seemingly contradictory statement (adj) paradoxical v. equality adj. narrow or confined in point of view

painstaking palliate

palpable paltry panacea paradigm paradox parity parochial

41

Word PRO
parsimonious partisan adj. excessively sparing or frugal (n) parsimony n. a devoted or biased supporter of a party, faction, or idea (adj) partisan adj. obvious; plain (ant) latent v. (1) to act as a patron; support (2) to treat in a condescending manner (n) patron n. a small amount of something that is not enough n. a small sin or fault adj. boringly scholarly or academic (n) pedant adj. undistinguishable and ordinary adj. tending to make or become worse; belittling adj. admitting the passage of light; transparently clear n. a strong taste or liking adj. feeling or expressing regret for ones misdeeds or sins (ant) impenitent

patent patronize

paucity peccadillo pedantic pedestrian pejorative pellucid penchant penitent

42

Word PRO
pensive peremptory perennial perfidy perfunctory peripatetic periphery perjury pernicious perspicuous pertinent adj. thoughtful and sad adj. (1) final; (2) dictatorial adj. lasting through the year or through many years; enduring n. violation of trust; treachery (adj) perfidious adj. unenthusiastic; careless adj. wandering; traveling continually n. the outside edge of something (adj) peripheral n. a false testimony (n) perjure adj. harmful; extremely evil adj. clearly expressed or presented adj. relevant (v) pertain (ant) impertinent v. to disturb greatly (adj) imperturbable v. to be present or spread throughout (adj) pervasive adj. rude; cranky; ill-tempered (n) petulance 43

perturb pervade petulant

Word PRO
philanthropy n. love of mankind, especially by doing good deeds (adj) philanthropic; (n) philanthropist n. one who lacks knowledge in a specific area adj. unemotional; not easily roused to excitement adj. having or exhibiting strong religious beliefs (n) piety (ant) impious adj. being of vital and central importance (ant) peripheral v. to pacify; to soothe (adj) implacable adj. calm or quiet; satisfied adj. expressing sadness or sorrow (n) plaintiveness n. a dull or trite remark ; a clich n. overflowing; an excess v. to break up into opposing factions or groupings (n) polarization

philistine phlegmatic pious

pivotal placate placid plaintive platitude plethora polarize

44

Word PRO
polemic n. a controversial argument to attack or refute a specific opinion or doctrine (adj) polemical adj. so large as to be clumsy; massive; dull adj. (1) ominously significant; (2) marvelous, amazing (adj) portentous adj. practical; down to earth; based on experience rather than theory adj. dangerously lacking in security or stability n. an earlier example or model (v) precede v. to cause to happen abruptly; adj. moving rapidly (n) precipitation; (adj) precipitate adj. extremely steep (n) precipice v. to prevent something from ever happening n. a natural preference for something adj. outstanding; supreme (n) preeminence v. to seize something by prior right (adj) preemptive

ponderous portent

pragmatic precarious precedent precipitate

precipitous preclude predilection preeminent preempt

45

Word PRO
preoccupied prepossess adj. absorbed in thought; excessively concerned; already occupied v. to preoccupy; to impress favorably in advance (adj) prepossessing; unprepossessing n. an exclusive right or privilege adj. going beyond what is proper; excessively forward v. to be greater in strength or influence; to be effective, common, current (adj) prevailing; prevalent; (n) prevalence adj. to stray from the truth adj. original; unspoiled; pure n. complete honesty (ant) improbity n. a natural inclination; predisposition adj. wastefully extravagant (n) prodigality adj. (1) extraordinary; (2) enormous; vast adj. showing a lack of respect for God or holy things (n) profanity

prerogative presumptuous prevail

prevaricate pristine probity proclivity prodigal prodigious profane

46

Word PRO
profligate adj. extravagantly wasteful and, usually, wildly immoral (n) profligacy adj. (1) entering deeply into subjects; (2) having deep insight or understanding adj. plentiful; extravagant (syn) prodigal; profligate adj. forbidding; so high or burdensome as to discourage purchase or use (v) prohibit v. to spread or grow rapidly (n) proliferation adj. abundantly productive; fertile adj. wordy; tending to speak or write at excessive length v. to publicly or formally declare (n) promulgation (syn) pronounce; proclaim n. a natural inclination or tendency v. to make favorably inclined; to appease (adj) propitiatory adj. presenting favorable circumstances (syn) auspiciou

profound profuse prohibitive

proliferate prolific prolix promulgate

propensity propitiate propitious

47

Word PRO
propriety prosaic proscribe proselytize n. properness; good manners (ant) impropriety adj. lacking in imagination and spirit (n) prose v. to outlaw; to prohibit v. to convert or persuade someone to convert from one religion, belief, or opinion to another (n) proselyte v. to draw out or lengthen in time (adj) protracted (syn) prolong adj. (1) preparing for the future; (2) frugal (n) providence (ant) improvident adj. limited in outlook to ones own; narrow adj. conditional; temporary; tentative n. nearness (adj) proximate adj. careful; wise and sensible (n) prudence (syn) provident (ant) imprudent n. great physical beauty and appeal (adj) pulchritudinous

protract

provident

provincial provisional proximity prudent

pulchritude

48

Word PRO
punctilious pungent pusillanimous qualify querulous quixotic rancor adj. strictly attentive to details; precise (n) punctilio adj. strong and sharp in taste and smell (n) pungency adj. lacking courage; cowardly (n) pusillanimity v. to modify or restrict (adj) qualified adj. complaining; grumbling adj. romantic or idealistic to a foolish or impractical degree n. a feeling of hatred and anger that lasts for a long time (adj) rancorous adj. greedy; taking by force (n) rapacity v. to criticize sharply (n) rebuke v. to contradict; to prove to be false (n) rebuttal (syn) refute adj. refusing to obey orders; resistant to authority (n) recalcitrance

rapacious rebuke rebut

recalcitrant

49

Word PRO
recant v. to take back and deny (something previously said or believed) (n) recantation v. to repeat in concise form; to summarize adj. to move back or away; to withdraw adj. mutual; shared; interchangeable (n) reciprocity; (v) reciprocate adj. withdrawn from society (n) recluse adj. not easily understood; obscure adj. moral uprightness; righteousness adj. fragrant (n) redolence adj. exceeding what is necessary adj. disobedient and difficult to manage v. to prove to be false; to disprove (n) refutation; (adj) irrefutable v. to say again; to repeat (n) reiteration adj. to restore to youthful vigor or appearance adj. unyielding in severity or strictness (ant) relentin

recapitulate recede reciprocal reclusive recondite rectitude redolent redundant refractory refute reiterate rejuvenate relentless

50

Word PRO
relinquish renounce replete replicate reprehensible reproach reprove repudiate resilient resolute v. to retire from; to give up v. to give up formally; to reject (n) renunciation adj. completely filled (n) repletion adj. to duplicate, reproduce, or repeat adj. deserving criticism; blameworthy (v) reprehend v. to scold, usually in disappointment (n) reproach; (adj) irreproachable v. to disapprove; to find fault with (n) reproof v. to reject; to refuse; to disown adj. capable of returning to an original shape; recovering readily adj. determined; firm (n) resolution; (v) resolve (ant) irresolute adj. uneasily impatient; difficult to control adj. to rise again adj. quiet; restrained; reluctant to speak (n) reticence v. to take back; withdraw 51

restive resurge reticent retract

Word PRO
retrospective revere adj. looking of directed backward v. to respect highly; to honor (n) reverence; (adj) reverent (ant) irreverence adj. to take back or withdraw; cancel adj. unformed or undeveloped v. to think carefully and deeply (adj) ruminant (syn) contemplate; ponder n. a trick to deceive someone adj. rural; lacking sophistication adj. sweet; having an excessively sweet attitude (n) saccharin n. a violation of something sacred (adj) sacrilegious adj. sacred; considered too important to be criticized adj. discerning; shrewd; wise (n) sage; sagacity adj. (1) sticking out; (2) conspicuous adj. healthy; remedial; curative (syn) salubrious

revoke rudimentary ruminate

ruse rustic saccharine

sacrilege sacrosanct sagacious salient salutary

52

Word PRO
sanctimonious sanction sanguine sardonic sartorial satiate savant savory scathing schism scrupulous adj. pretending to be religious or moral (n) sanctimony v. to give official authorization or approval to (n) sanction adj. cheerful; optimistic; hopeful adj. mocking or cynical adj. of or relating to a tailor, or their trade v. to satisfy fully (n) satiation n. a learned person; a scholar (syn) sage adj. tasty; pleasant; morally respectable (n) savor adj. harshly critical; harmful or painful n. division; separation; discord or disharmony adj. (1) strict and careful; (2) honest and fair (n) scruple (ant)unscrupulous v. to examine or observe with great care (n) scrutiny; (adj) inscrutable adj. worldly rather than spiritual adj. sitting or remaining in one area

scrutinize secular sedentary

53

Word PRO
sedulous adj. showing continued hard work, effort, and determination (n) sedulity adj. conforming to standards of conduct and good taste (ant) unseemly v. to separate or isolate (n) segregation adj. having sense perception; conscious (n) sentience v. to set or keep apart n. accidental good fortune (adj) serendipitous adj. calm and peaceful (n) serenity adj. submissive and slavish (n) servility adj. (1) having keen awareness; (2) wily and cunning adj. (1) being only one; (2) unique; superior; exceptional (syn) signal adj. questioning and doubtful v. to spread a false and malicious statement

seemly

segregate sentient sequester serendipity serene servile shrewd singular

skeptical slander 54

Word PRO
slight sloppy sloth sluggish snub adj. small in size or amount; small in build v. to make light of adj. untidy and careless (syn) slovenly; slipshod n. laziness (adj) slothful adj. moving or reacting more slowly than usual v. to ignore or behave coldly toward; to dismiss or turn down (n) snub v. to unite or repair adj. anxious or concerned (n) solicitude adj. capable of meeting financial obligations (n) solvency (ant) insolvent adj. (1) sleep inducing; extremely boring; (2) very sleepy adj. (1) very dirty and unpleasant; (2) immoral or dishonest adj. seemingly true, but actually false n. ill temper adj. occurring at irregular intervals

solder solicitous solvent

soporific sordid specious spleen sporadic

55

Word PRO
spurious squalid squander stagnant stalwart stark static staunch stigmatize adj. not genuine; insincere adj. filthy and wretched (adj) squalid v. to spend wastefully or extravagantly adj. not moving or flowing (n) stagnation; (v) stagnate adj. having physical strength; firm and resolute adj. (1) very plain in appearance; (2) extreme and obvious adj. stationary; not changing or moving adj. firm and steadfast v. to cause to feel disgraced from being negatively marked by someone (n) stigma; (adj) stigmatic adj. seemingly indifferent to pleasure or pain (syn) stoical n. (1) a restriction; (2) a severe criticism; (3) a narrowing adj. strict; restrictive (n) stringency v. to get in the way of; to block

stoical stricture stringent stymie

56

Word PRO
subjugate v. to bring under domination or control by conquest (n) subjugation adj. majestic; supreme; impressive adj. too willing to obey other people; subordinate adj. supplementary; additional adj. (1) large in amount or degree; (2) solid, important v. to destroy completely; ruin (n) subversion; (adj) subversive adj. brief and to the point; concise v. to yield or submit; to die adj. showing anger or bad temper adj. splendid and expensive-looking adj. arrogant; self-important adj. being beyond what is required (n) superfluity n. excess; an excessive amount adj. bad-tempered; unfriendly or hostile adj. sneaky; secret

sublime subservient subsidiary substantial subvert succinct succumb sullen sumptuous supercilious superfluous surfeit surly surreptitious

57

Word PRO
suspend sybaritic sycophant tacit taciturn tangential tangible tantamount taunt tawdry tedious temerity temperate adj. (1) to hang; (2) to cause to stop for a period adj. devoted to excessive or luxury (n) sybarite n. a self-seeking, servile flatterer (adj) sycophantic adj. not spoken; implied from actions or statements adj. untalkative by nature adj. merely touching; only superficially relevant adj. touchable; noticeable, important adj. equivalent in effect or in value v. to provoke or challenge with insulting remarks adj. showy but cheap and of poor quality; unpleasant, immoral adj. long and tiresome; boring n. excessive confidence or boldness adj. (1) moderate and self-restrained; (2) moderate in temperatures (v) temper; (n) temperance (ant) intemperate

58

Word PRO
tempestuous tenable adj. violent; turbulent adj. capable of being held; capable of being argued successfully (ant) untenable adj. persistent; stubborn; not letting go (n) tenacity adj. having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose adj. experimental; temporary; uncertain adj. extremely thin; uncertain and weak adj. brief and to the point v. to prevent from being accomplished; to frustrate n. a long angry or violent speech v. to cause physical pain or mental anguish (n) torment n. a state of physical or mental inactivity (adj) torpid v. to attempt to sell in an aggressive or bold manner; to praise energetically adj. easily managed or controlled (n) tractability (ant) intractable

tenacious tendentious tentative tenuous terse thwart tirade torment torpor tout tractable

59

Word PRO
tranquil transcend transgress transient transitory translucent adj. free from disturbance; calm (n) tranquility v. to go beyond or above; to surpass v. to violate (a law); to sin (n) transgression adj. lasting only for a short time (syn) transitory adj. lasting only for a short time adj. clear enough for light to pass through; semitransparent (n) translucence adj. vigorous or incisive in expression or style n. a feeling of fear or agitation (adj) trepid (syn) timid; timorous adj. not interesting or original through overuse or repetition adj. disposed to fight or exhibit violence (n) truculence adj. muddy and dirty; confused (n) turbidity n. a state of extreme confusion or agitation n. a wicked or morally corrupt act

trenchant trepidation

trite truculent turbid turmoil turpitude

60

Word PRO
ubiquitous uncanny uncouth unctuous undermine underscore understate adj. being everywhere at the same time (n) ubiquity adj. strange or mysterious in an unsettling way adj. lacking good manners, refinement, or grace adj. having a greasy or soapy feel; excessively flattering v. to dig a mine; to weaken by wearing away a base of foundation v. to underline; to emphasize v. to state with less completeness or truth; express with restraint (adj) understated adj. difficult or impossible to understand (v) fathom (ant) fathomable adj. persistently calm in a crisis (ant) flappable adj. awkward; clumsy adj. not able to be criticized, doubted, or questioned adj. of the entire world; common to all purposes adj. lacking pretension or affectation 61

unfathomable

unflappable ungainly unimpeachable universal unpretentious

Word PRO
unremitting unruly unscrupulous unseemly untoward unwieldy adj. unceasing; unabated; relentless (v) remit adj. difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule adj. behaving in an unfair and dishonest way adj. not conforming to social standards or conduct and good taste adj. unexpected; inappropriate; inconvenient (ant) toward adj. difficult to carry or manage because of bulk or shape (v) wield (ant) wieldy adj. not knowing; not intentional v. to criticize harshly and angrily v. to seize and hold illegally or by force v. to alternate or waver between different opinions or actions (n) vacillation; (adj)vacillatory (syn) falter; waver adj. empty; lacking thought or intelligence adj. brave and determined (n) valiance adj. brave and determined

unwitting upbraid usurp vacillate

vacuous valiant valorous 62

Word PRO
vapid adj. lacking intelligence, interest, or imagination (syn) insipid adj. showing very strong feelings or opinions (n) vehemence adj. capable of being bribed; willing to do anything for money (n) venality v. to respect deeply (n) veneration (syn) revere adj. easily excused or forgiven n. truthfulness (adj) veracious (ant) mendacity adj. using or expressed in more words than needed (n) verbosity adj. having different skills or uses adj. knowledgeable or skilled n. a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists (adj) vestigial v. to annoy or irritate

vehement venal

venerate

venial veracity

verbose

versatile versed vestige

vex

63

Word PRO
vicarious vicissitude vigilant adj. experienced through the actions of other people n. a change of circumstances or fortune (adj) vicissitudinous adj. keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties (n) vigilance v. to make vicious and defamatory statements (n) vilification v. to clear from all blame or suspicion; to to show or prove to be right (n) vindication adj. having or showing a strong desire for revenge n. a musician or a person with masterly ability (n) virtuosity adj. extremely severe or harmful in its effects (n) virulence v. impair the quality or efficiency of; to invalidate (n) vitiation adj. harsh or corrosive in tone (n) vitriol

vilify vindicate

vindictive virtuoso virulent vitiate

vitriolic

64

Word PRO
vituperate v. to blame or insult in strong or violent language (adj) vituperative; (n) vituperation adj. lively and vigorous adj. loud; noisy adj. quick to evaporate; highly unstable (n) volatility adj. talking a lot in an energetic and rapid way adj. (1) eating great amounts of food; (2) having a strong desire adj. lacking sophistication or good taste; coarse and rude (n) vulgarity adj. causing harm or damage for no reason; sexually immodest v. to move unsteadily; to exhibit irresolution or indecision (syn) vacillate; falter adj. acting or behaving in an impulsive and unpredictable manner; playfully fanciful (n) whim adj. (1) intentional or deliberate; (2) stubborn and determined adj. full of wishful yearning; pensively sad 65

vivacious vociferous volatile voluble voracious vulgar

wanton waver

whimsical

willful wistful

Word PRO
zealous adj. having great energy or enthusiasm (n) zeal; zealot

66