Word Lists 1-15
Lesson 1.1
allege...syn: claim or accuse; report or maintain
ally...syn: partner; a friendly nation
convince...syn: change someone's opinion; make (someone) agree, understand, or realize the truth of something
critic...syn: expert judge; a person who is professionally engaged in the analysis of works of art
dependent...syn: needing support; relying on or requiring a person or thing for what is needed
diverse...syn: different; many and different
eliminate...syn: get rid of; terminate, end, or take out
extract...syn: pull out; remove, usually with some force or effort; also used in an abstract sense
foster...syn: promote; promote the growth of
founder...syn: fail; fail utterly, or sink underwater
fundamental...syn: basic; serving as an essential component
harmful...syn: dangerous; causing or capable of causing harm
innovation...syn: change; a creation (a new device or process) resulting from study and experimentation
innovative...syn: creative; ahead of the times
insightful...syn: having clear understanding; exhibiting insight or clear and deep perception
moderate...syn: not extreme; being within reasonable or average limits; not excessive or extreme
negotiate...syn: bargain; discuss the terms of an arrangement
occasional...syn: happening from time to time; occurring from time to time
opt...syn: choose; select as an alternative over another
pioneer...syn: first explorer; one who opens up an area or prepare a way
predict...syn: expect; make a prediction about; tell in advance
qualification...syn: limitation; an attribute that must be met or that fits a person for something
remedy...syn: cure; set straight or right
retain...syn: hold; hold back within
sensitive...syn: easily hurt; responsive to physical stimuli
spare...syn: extra; refrain from harming
subsequent...syn: following; following in time or order
superior...syn: better; of high or superior quality or performance
suspect...syn: doubt; imagine to be the case or true or probable
sustain...syn: keep up; lengthen or extend in duration or space
Lesson 1.2
acknowledge...syn: recognize; declare to be true or admit the existence or reality or truth of
advocate...syn: speak up for; push for something
deny...syn: refuse; declare untrue; contradict
discipline...syn: training; develop (children’s) behavior by instruction and practice
impose...syn: put upon; compel to behave in a certain way
integrity...syn:complete honesty; an undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting
obligation...syn: responsibility; the state of being bound or forced to do or pay something
threaten...syn: warn; pose a threat to; present a danger to
abandon...syn: give up; forsake, leave behind
accidental...syn: not on purpose; happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
aggressive...syn: attacking; having or showing determination and energetic pursuit of your ends
anticipate...syn: expect; regard something as probable or likely
compromise...syn: agreement; a middle way between two extremes
consensus...syn: agreement; agreement in the judgment or opinion reached by a group as a whole
conventional...syn: most typical; following accepted customs and proprieties
credible...syn: believable; capable of being believed
deficit...syn: debt; the property of being an amount by which something is less than expected or required
embrace...syn: hug; include in scope
exploit...syn: deed; use or manipulate to one’s advantage
inevitable...syn: certain to occur; incapable of being avoided or prevented
instrumental...syn: helpful; relating to or designed for or performed on musical instruments
legitimate...syn: authentic and genuine; of marriages and offspring; recognized as lawful
neglect...syn: ignore; leave undone or leave out
novelty...syn: exciting newness; originality by virtue of being refreshingly novel
phenomenon...syn: happening; any state or process known through the senses rather than by reasoning
prominent...syn: well-known; having a quality that thrusts itself into attention
rebel...syn: not obeying; defiant
stimulate...syn: excite; act as a stimulant
tribute...syn: honor; something given or done as an expression of esteem
vulnerable...syn: open to attack; susceptible to attack
Lesson 1.3
absorb...syn: soak up; become imbued
authentic...syn: real; conforming to fact and therefore worthy of belief
collaborative...syn: working together; accomplished by collaboration
compliant...syn: without resisting; disposed or willing to comply
defer...syn: put off; hold back to a later time
derivative...syn: product; the result of mathematical differentiation
disturb...syn: unsettle; move deeply
insist...syn: speak firmly; be emphatic or resolute and refuse to budge
logical...syn: reasonable; capable of or reflecting the capability for correct and valid reasoning
opponent...syn: the other side or team; a contestant that you are matched against
reinforce...syn: strengthen; make stronger
resist...syn: refuse; elude, especially in a baffling way
revolutionary...syn: pioneering; markedly new or introducing radical change
robust...syn: strong; sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction
tension...syn: tightness; (psychology) a state of mental or emotional strain or suspense
toxic...syn: poisonous; of or relating to or caused by a toxin or poison
transparent...syn: see through; transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
acronym...syn: abbreviation formed from initials; a word formed from the first letters of several words
aesthetic...syn: beautiful or artistic; relating to or dealing with the subject of aesthetics
coherent...syn: understandable; marked by an orderly, logical, and aesthetically consistent relation of parts
concise...syn: brief; expressing much in few words
condemn...syn: blame; express strong disapproval of
conditional...syn: dependent; qualified by reservations
diminish...syn: decrease; decrease in size, extent, or range
diplomatic...syn: avoiding insult; relating to or characteristic of diplomacy
fabrication...syn: creation; a deliberately false or improbable account
incidental...syn: not essential; (sometimes followed by `to’) minor or casual or subordinate in significance
predictable...syn: expected; capable of being foretold
repeal...syn: cancel or undo; cancel officially
stark...syn: bare; devoid of any qualifications or disguise or adornment
Lesson 1.4
ambition...syn: goal; a cherished desire
amuse...syn: entertain; occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
autobiography...syn: life story; a biography of yourself
candid...syn: free spoken; characterized by directness in manner or speech; without subtlety or evasion
cerebral...syn: intellectual; involving intelligence rather than emotions or instinct
conceal...syn: hide; prevent from being seen or discovered
concord...syn: harmony; capital of the state of New Hampshire
contend...syn: fight; maintain or assert
controversy...syn: difference of opinion; a contentious speech act
definitive...syn: having authority; clearly defined or formulated
dispense...syn: distribute; administer or bestow, as in small portions
elaborate...syn: add detail; mark by complexity and richness of detail
hostile...syn: like an enemy; characterized by enmity or ill will
inadequate...syn: not enough; lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
intuitive...syn: instinctive; spontaneously derived from or prompted by a natural tendency
obscure...syn: little known; not clearly understood or expressed
persistent...syn: determined; never-ceasing
precursor...syn: forerunner; a person who goes before or announces the coming of another
predator...syn: hunter; someone who attacks in search of booty
prevail...syn: dominate; be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance
prospectus...syn: proposal; a formal written offer
redundant...syn: repeated; more than is needed, desired, or required
refuge...syn: hiding place; a safe place
subtle...syn: hard to notice; difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
suppress...syn: eliminate; to put down by force or authority
surrender...syn: give up; give up or agree to forgo to the power or possession of another
suspicious...syn: looking out for wrongdoing; openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
systematic...syn: orderly; characterized by order and planning
thrive...syn: do well; grow vigorously
widespread...syn: extensive; widely circulated or diffused
Lesson 1.5
applaud...syn: acclaim; clap one’s hands or shout after performances to indicate approval
articulate...syn: say; provide with a joint
conformity...syn: compliance; correspondence in form or appearance
contempt...syn: complete disrespect; lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
contiguous...syn: adjacent; very close or connected in space or time
cooperate...syn: work together; work together on a common enterprise of project
dazzle...syn: amaze; to cause someone to lose clear vision, especially from intense light
defy...syn: challenge; resist or confront with resistance
defy...syn: challenge; resist or confront with resistance
deliberate...syn: thoughtful; carefully thought out in advance
discriminate...syn: show prejudice; recognize or perceive the difference
hypothetical...syn: supposed; based primarily on surmise rather than adequate evidence
intricate...syn: complex; having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
jade...syn: tire; a semiprecious gemstone that takes a high polish
mediate...syn: settle; act between parties with a view to reconciling differences
mitigate...syn: reduce; lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
mute...syn: unspeaking; expressed without speech
mysterious...syn: secret; of an obscure nature
orthodox...syn: traditional; adhering to what is commonly accepted
oversight...syn: small mistake; an unintentional omission resulting from failure to notice something
pertinent...syn: relevant; having precise or logical relevance to the matter at hand
prestige...syn: status; a high standing achieved through success or influence or wealth etc.
prosperity...syn: wealth; an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment
rigid...syn: stiff; incapable of or resistant to bending
simplicity...syn: simpleness; the quality of being simple or uncompounded
sovereign...syn: ruling; a nation’s ruler or head of state usually by hereditary right
spontaneous...syn: unplanned; happening or arising without apparent external cause
stimulus...syn: provocation; any stimulating information or event; acts to arouse action
undermine...syn: weaken; destroy property or hinder normal operations
versatile...syn: useful in a variety of contexts; having great diversity or variety
Lesson 1.6
ascertain...syn: determine; establish after a calculation, investigation, experiment, survey, or study
autonomy...syn: independence; immunity from arbitrary exercise of authority: political independence
benign...syn: mild; not dangerous to health; not recurrent or progressive (especially of a tumor)
catastrophe...syn: disaster; an event resulting in great loss and misfortune
denounce...syn: condemn; speak out against
diligence...syn: concentration; conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task
disguise...syn: covering; an outward semblance that misrepresents the true nature of something
disregard...syn: ignore; refuse to acknowledge
enigma...syn: mystery; something that baffles understanding and cannot be explained
enlighten...syn: inform; make understand
experimentation...syn: investigation; the testing of an idea
foresee...syn: expect; realize beforehand
ignorant...syn: lacking knowledge; uneducated in general; lacking knowledge or sophistication
imaginative...syn: creative; marked by independence and creativity in thought or action
indictment...syn: formal accusation; a formal written document charging a person with some offense
indispensable...syn: necessary; not to be dispensed with; essential
infamous...syn: notorious; known widely and usually unfavorably
instantaneous...syn: immediate; occurring with no delay
intuition...syn: insight; instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes)
irrelevant...syn: inappropriate; having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue
myriad...syn: countless; too numerous to be counted
mystical...syn: mysterious; relating to or characteristic of mysticism
negligible...syn: of no significance; so small as to be meaningless; insignificant
noteworthy...syn: important; worthy of notice
optimistic...syn: hopeful, positive; expecting the best in this best of all possible worlds
partisan...syn: party member; a fervent and even militant proponent of something
prevalent...syn: dominant; most frequent or common
questionable...syn: doubtful; subject to question
reconcile...syn: make peace; make (one thing) compatible with (another)
repetitive...syn: constant; repetitive and persistent
Lesson 1.7
adept...syn: skillful; having or showing knowledge and skill and aptitude
ambiguous...syn: unclear; open to two or more interpretations
astound...syn: amaze; affect with wonder
bolster...syn: support; support and strengthen
cosmopolitan...syn: worldwide; a sophisticated person who has traveled in many countries
diffuse...syn: spread out; move outward
eloquent...syn: articulate; expressing yourself readily, clearly, effectively
erroneous...syn: wrong; containing or characterized by error
flourish...syn: thrive; grow vigorously
heterogeneous...syn: various; consisting of elements that are not of the same kind or nature
imitation...syn: simulation; something copied or derived from an original
indifference...syn: apathy; unbiased impartial unconcern
indulge...syn: treat; give free rein to
inferior...syn: poor; of or characteristic of low rank or importance
lavish...syn: abundant; expend profusely; also used with abstract nouns
liberate...syn: release; give equal rights to; of women and minorities
lucid...syn: clear; (of language) transparently clear; easily understandable
maverick...syn: rebel; someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action
palliative...syn: comfort; remedy that alleviates pain without curing
placid...syn: calm; (of a body of water) free from disturbance by heavy waves
pragmatic...syn: practical; concerned with practical matters
preclude...syn: prevent; keep from happening or arising; make impossible
rearrange...syn: change the arrangement of; put into a new order or arrangement
retraction...syn: cancellation; a disavowal or taking back of a previous assertion
retroactive...syn: applying to the past; affecting things past
salvage...syn: save; save from ruin, destruction, or harm
speculate...syn: suppose; to believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
tenacious...syn: persistent; good at remembering
tenet...syn: belief; a religious doctrine that is proclaimed as true without proof
uneven...syn: rough; not even or uniform as e.g. in shape or texture
Lesson 1.8
advantageous...syn: favorable; giving an advantage
archipelago...syn: land surrounded by body of water; a group of many islands in a large body of water
benevolent...syn: kind; intending or showing kindness
bereavement...syn: mourning; state of sorrow over the death or departure of a loved one
conclusive...syn: definite; forming an end or termination; especially putting an end to doubt or question
condone...syn: excuse; excuse, overlook, or make allowances for; be lenient with
connoisseur...syn: expert; an expert able to appreciate a field; especially in the fine arts
cordial...syn: friendly; diffusing warmth and friendliness
dubious...syn: doubtful; fraught with uncertainty or doubt
elusive...syn: escaping; difficult to describe
embarrassment...syn: humiliation; the shame you feel when your inadequacy or guilt is made public
embellish...syn: decorate; add details to
entrench...syn: establish; fix firmly or securely
eradicate...syn: destroy; kill in large numbers
esoteric...syn: mysterious; confined to and understandable by only an enlightened inner circle
exacerbate...syn: make worse; make worse
extremity...syn: end; an external body part that projects from the body
humility...syn: modesty; a disposition to be humble; a lack of false pride
meticulous...syn: precise; marked by precise accordance with details
mundane...syn: ordinary; found in the ordinary course of events
orderly...syn: organized; a soldier who serves as an attendant to a superior officer
ornate...syn: intricate; marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details
plight...syn: dilemma; a situation from which extrication is difficult especially an unpleasant one
propensity...syn: fondness; an inclination to do something
receptive...syn: having an open attitude; open to arguments, ideas, or change
sarcasm...syn: irony; witty language used to convey insults or scorn
scrutinize...syn: examine; to look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail
seclude...syn: isolate; keep away from others
sensational...syn: exciting; causing intense interest, curiosity, or emotion
substantiate...syn: confirm; establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
Lesson 1.9
alienate...syn: separate; arouse hostility or indifference where there had formerly been love or friendliness
arrogant...syn: self important; having or showing feelings of unwarranted importance out of overbearing pride
astute...syn: clever; marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
brevity...syn: briefness; the use of brief expressions
conscientious...syn: thorough; characterized by extreme care and great effort
divulge...syn: reveal; make known to the public information that was previously known only to a few
empathy...syn: understanding; understanding and entering into another’s feelings
encumbrance...syn: burden; an onerous or difficult concern
erratic...syn: unpredictable; liable to sudden unpredictable change
extravagant...syn: abundant; unrestrained, especially with regard to feelings
futile...syn: purposeless; producing no result or effect
hesitant...syn: reluctant; lacking decisiveness of character; unable to act or decide quickly or firmly
impulsive...syn: acting on instinct; proceeding from natural feeling or impulse without external stimulus
infrequent...syn: unusual; not frequent; not occurring regularly or at short intervals
mediocre...syn: second rate; moderate to inferior in quality
misconception...syn: wrong idea; an incorrect conception
mishap...syn: accident; an unpredictable outcome that is unfortunate
morbid...syn: unhealthy; suggesting an unhealthy mental state
prolific...syn: productive; intellectually productive
prosper...syn: thrive; make steady progress
refute...syn: prove wrong; overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
revitalize...syn: stimulate; restore strength
rouse...syn: stimulate; become active
stature...syn: status; high level of respect gained by impressive development or achievement
steadfast...syn: reliable; marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
tact...syn: thoughtfulness; consideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
totalitarian...syn: authoritarian; characterized by a government that exercises absolute, centralized control
unorthodox...syn: atypical, independent; independent in behavior or thought
venerable...syn: respected; impressive by reason of age
vigilant...syn: attentive; carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger
Lesson 1.10
amass...syn: collect; collect or gather
amiable...syn: friendly; disposed to please
belie...syn: contradict; be in contradiction with
capricious...syn: erratic; changeable
censure...syn: criticism; harsh criticism or disapproval
commendable...syn: honorable; worthy of high praise
conservationist...syn: environmental activist; someone who works to protect the environment from destruction
consign...syn: entrust; commit forever; commit irrevocably
convoluted...syn: complicated; curl, wind, or twist together
curative...syn: healing; a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain
debacle...syn: disaster; a sudden and violent collapse
decry...syn: condemn; express strong disapproval of
disintegrate...syn: fall apart; break into parts or components or lose cohesion or unity
disparage...syn: criticize; express a negative opinion of
divisive...syn: dividing; dissenting (especially dissenting with the majority opinion)
enthrall...syn: enchant; hold spellbound
expeditious...syn: efficient; marked by speed and efficiency
exuberant...syn: enthusiastic; joyously unrestrained
idiosyncratic...syn: distinctive; peculiar to the individual
indulgent...syn: giving; characterized by or given to yielding to the wishes of someone
inept...syn: clumsy; not elegant or graceful in expression
instigate...syn: incite; provoke or stir up
irreverent...syn: disrespectful; showing lack of due respect or veneration
momentous...syn: important; of very great significance
onerous...syn: difficult; not easily borne; wearing
penchant...syn: fondness; a strong liking
raze...syn: demolish; tear down so as to make flat with the ground
resolute...syn: determined; firm in purpose or belief; characterized by firmness and determination
unequivocal...syn: definite; admitting of no doubt or misunderstanding
vicarious...syn: experienced indirectly; experienced at secondhand
Lesson 1.11
absurdity...syn: ridiculousness; a message whose content is at variance with reason
arcane...syn: secret; requiring secret or mysterious knowledge
callous...syn: insensitive; emotionally hardened
complacent...syn: self satisfied; contented to a fault with oneself or one’s actions
consecrate...syn: make holy; appoint to a clerical posts
defunct...syn: no longer relevant; no longer in force or use; inactive
discernment...syn: understanding; the cognitive condition of someone who understands
disdain...syn: scorn; look down on with disdain
disgruntle...syn: make discontent; put into a bad mood or into bad humor
elitist...syn: snobbish; someone who believes in rule by an elite group
eulogy...syn: praise; a formal expression of praise for someone who has died recently
finesse...syn: skill; subtly skillful handling of a situation
gratuitous...syn: not necessary; without cause
indeterminate...syn: uncertain; not precisely determined or established; not fixed or known in advance
inflexible...syn: rigid; incapable of change
intelligible...syn: understandable; capable of being apprehended or understood
judicious...syn: thoughtful; marked by the exercise of good judgment or common sense in practical matters
plasticity...syn: stretchiness; the property of being physically malleable
prohibitive...syn: preventative; tending to discourage (especially of prices)
quell...syn: subdue; suppress or crush completely
recessive...syn: not dominant; of or pertaining to a recession or withdrawal
reminiscence...syn: remembrance; a mental impression retained and recalled from the past
rigidity...syn: strictness; the physical property of being stiff and resisting bending
somber...syn: serious; lacking brightness or color; dull
succulent...syn: juicy; a plant characterized by fleshy water-storing tissues that act as water reservoirs
supplant...syn: replace; take the place or move into the position of
tangential...syn: partly irrelevant; of superficial relevance if any
usurp...syn: seize; seize and take control without authority and possibly with force
vex...syn: irritate; cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
vindicate...syn: justify; show to be right by providing justification or proof
Lesson 1.12
ambivalence...syn: mixed feelings; mixed feelings or emotions
anachronism...syn: misdating; something located at a time when it could not have existed or occurred
conjoin...syn: connect; make contact or come together
counterproductive...syn: harmful; tending to hinder the achievement of a goal
dearth...syn: lack; an acute insufficiency
debilitate...syn: weaken; make weak
demonstrative...syn: expressive; a pronoun that points out an intended referent
deride...syn: insult; treat or speak of with contempt
dilettante...syn: amateurish; an amateur without serious intentions and who pretends to have knowledge
disingenuous...syn: dishonest; not straightforward or candid; giving a false appearance of frankness
egotistical...syn: conceited; characteristic of those having an inflated idea of their own importance
fragility...syn: daintiness; quality of being easily damaged or destroyed
gullible...syn: easily fooled; naive and easily deceived or tricked
haughty...syn: arrogant; creating an appearance of (often undeserved) importance or distinction
illusory...syn: deceptive; based on or having the nature of an illusion
impassioned...syn: ardent; characterized by intense emotion
inaudible...syn: unhearable; impossible to hear; imperceptible by the ear
innocuous...syn: harmless; not injurious to physical or mental health
insolent...syn: disrespectful; marked by casual disrespect
pernicious...syn: harmful; exceedingly harmful
precipitous...syn: hurried; done with very great haste and without due deliberation
squander...syn: waste; spend thoughtlessly; throw away
sullen...syn: moody; showing a brooding ill humor
tenacity...syn: doggedness; persistent determination
tenuous...syn: flimsy; having thin consistency
terse...syn: abrupt; brief and to the point; effectively cut short
tyrannical...syn: authoritarian; marked by unjust severity or arbitrary behavior
unassuming...syn: modest; not arrogant or presuming
undaunted...syn: bold; unshaken in purpose
vindication...syn: justification; the act of vindicating or defending against criticism or censure etc.
Lesson 1.13
accost...syn: approach violently; speak to someone
adroit...syn: skillful; quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
apologetic...syn: remorseful; offering or expressing apology
ascetic...syn: self denying; someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
belittle...syn: to denigrate; cause to seem less serious; play down
circumspect...syn: discreet; heedful of potential consequences
cloy...syn: become excessive; supply or feed to surfeit
conciliatory...syn: agreeable; making or willing to make concessions
contemptuous...syn: scornful; expressing extreme contempt
diminutive...syn: small; very small
disputation...syn: debate; the formal presentation of a stated proposition and the opposition to it
docile...syn: submissive; willing to be taught or led or supervised or directed
flagrant...syn: obvious; conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
implausible...syn: unlikely; having a quality that provokes disbelief
impugn...syn: criticize; attack as false or wrong
inconsequential...syn: unimportant; lacking worth or importance
inscrutable...syn: mystifying; of an obscure nature
juxtapose...syn: place side by side; place side by side
laconic...syn: abrupt; brief and to the point; effectively cut short
machination...syn: scheme; a crafty and involved plot to achieve your (usually sinister) ends
mercurial...syn: unpredictable; liable to sudden unpredictable change
obstinate...syn: stubborn; persist stubbornly
obtuse...syn: stupid; of an angle; between 90 and 180 degrees
presumptive...syn: probable; having a reasonable basis for belief or acceptance
rancor...syn: bitterness; a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will
scintillate...syn: sparkle; give off
solicitous...syn: considerate; full of anxiety and concern
strident...syn: shrill; conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry
stymie...syn: obstruct; hinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
transitory...syn: temporary; lasting a very short time
Lesson 1.14
alacrity...syn: eagerness; liveliness and eagerness
bombastic...syn: pompous; ostentatiously lofty in style
cathartic...syn: releasing; a purging medicine; stimulates evacuation of the bowels
conflagration...syn: huge fire; a very intense and uncontrolled fire
convivial...syn: sociable; occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
demagogue...syn: popular leader, troublemaker; a political leader who appeals to passions and prejudices
dispassionate...syn: impartial; unaffected by strong emotion or prejudice
empathetic...syn: sympathetic; showing empathy or ready comprehension of others’ states
erudition...syn: scholarship; profound scholarly knowledge
flippant...syn: frivolous; showing inappropriate levity
hedonistic...syn: pleasure-seeking; devoted to pleasure
impetuous...syn: impulsive; characterized by undue haste and lack of thought or deliberation
impressionable...syn: easily influenced; easily impressed or influenced
insolence...syn: rudeness; the trait of being rude and impertinent; inclined to take liberties
interloper...syn: intruder; someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another without permission
levity...syn: frivolity; feeling an inappropriate lack of seriousness
magnanimous...syn: generous; noble and generous in spirit
modicum...syn: small amount; a small or moderate or token amount
nebulous...syn: hazy; lacking definite form or limits
obsequious...syn: servile; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
obtrusive...syn: noticeable; undesirably noticeable
ostentatious...syn: showy; intended to attract notice and impress others
outmoded...syn: obsolete; make unfashionable, outdated, or obsolete
penitent...syn: remorseful; feeling sorrow for wrongdoing
pliant...syn: flexible; capable of being influenced or formed
potentate...syn: powerful person; a ruler who is unconstrained by law
prosaic...syn: ordinary; not fanciful or imaginative
reticent...syn: restrained; temperamentally disinclined to talk
trenchant...syn: keen; having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought, expression, or intellect
vapid...syn: insipid; lacking taste or flavor or tang
Lesson 1.15
abasement...syn: degradation; a low or downcast state
abstruse...syn: esoteric; difficult to penetrate
baneful...syn: harmful; exceedingly harmful
bombast...syn: pretentious speech; pompous or pretentious talk or writing
cantankerous...syn: crabby; stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
chicanery...syn: trickery; the use of tricks to deceive someone (usually to extract money from them)
decorous...syn: appropriate; characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste in manners and conduct
duplicitous...syn: two-faced; marked by deliberate deceptiveness (especially by pretending feelings)
effrontery...syn: presumption; audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
effusive...syn: gushing; uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
flamboyance...syn: showiness; extravagant elaborateness
indigence...syn: poverty; a state of extreme poverty or destitution
ineffable...syn: unspeakable; defying expression or description
intemperate...syn: indulgent; (of weather or climate) not mild; subject to extremes
lackadaisical...syn: careless; lacking spirit or liveliness
loquacious...syn: talkative; full of trivial conversation
lugubrious...syn: gloomy; excessively mournful
melodious...syn: tuneful; having a musical sound; especially a pleasing tune
mollify...syn: appease; cause to be more favorably inclined; gain the good will of
nonchalance...syn: casualness; the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care; a casual lack of concern
ossify...syn: solidify; become bony
perspicacious...syn: insightful; acutely insightful and wise
phlegmatic...syn: sluggish; showing little emotion
predilection...syn: tendency; a predisposition in favor of something
profundity...syn: wisdom; wisdom that is recondite and abstruse and profound
reclusive...syn: withdrawn; withdrawn from society; seeking solitude
redolent...syn: odorous; serving to bring to mind
sagacious...syn: wise; acutely insightful and wise
supercilious...syn: haughty; having or showing arrogant superiority to and disdain of those one views as unworthy
whimsicality...syn: playfulness; the trait of acting unpredictably and more from impulse than from judgment