Mcat Vocublary Complete list

abate: reduce in amount, degree, or intensity; lessen
abbreviate: make (a word, phrase, or text) shorter
abbreviation: 1. a shortened form of a name, phrase or word 2. the act of shortening something
abdicate: 1. leave or give up a throne, right, power, claim, responsibility, or the like, especially in a formal manner; abandon, lay down, or withdraw from 2. fail to do what is required by (a responsibility or duty)
aberrant: different from the right, normal, usual course, expected course or an accepted standard
aberration: a departure from what is right, true, correct, etc., typically an unwelcome one
abeyance: 1. a temporary stoppage or delay of activity 2. suspension
abhor: regard with extreme dislike and hatred
abjure: 1. to officially renounce 2. to formally and publicly announce that one no longer believes in something
abolition: 1. the act of getting rid of something 2. the act of stopping or cancelling something
abortive: 1. failed 2. unfinished and therefore unsuccessful 3. imperfect
abridge: 1. to make something shorter while keeping the same meaning 2. to condense 3. to reduce
abrogate: 1. to officially put an end to something, especially a law or another type of formal agreement
abscond: leave or escape from a place hurriedly or secretly, typically to avoid detection of, capture, legal prosecution or arrest for an unlawful action
absolution: 1. giving forgiveness; freeing from blame or fault, especially when referring to religious issues
abstain: deliberately choose not to do or have something that is enjoyable but that may not be healthy, safe, or morally right 2. refrain from voting
abstemious: 1. moderation when consuming something one enjoys, such as alcohol or food 2. showing restraint
abstruse: difficult to understand, especially because of being extremely complex
absurdity: 1. the state or quality of being totally ridiculous or absurd 2. nonsense
accede: 1. to formally take on official duties 2. to agree; to give consent 3. to do what someone else says
accolade: 1. an award 2. a declaration of praise, approval, or admiration
accost: approach and speak to (someone) often in an angry, aggressive, or unwanted way, as with a demand or request
accrue: 1. to accumulate over a long period of time 2. to increase 3. to grow in a slow way
accumulate: 1. to collect or gather 2. to amass 3. to increase in quantity or amount
acquiesce: 1. to agree to something reticently but without protesting
acrophobia: 1. a strong or abnormal fear of heights
acuity: 1. acuteness or sharpness, especially of thought, vision or perception
acumen: the ability to think clearly, make good judgments and take quick decision in a particular subject, such as business or politics
adept: highly skilled or proficient at doing something; expert
adroit: very clever or skillful in a physical or mental way
adulation: excessive admiration, praise, or flattery
adumbrate: 1. to give hints or vague information about something that is going to happen in the future 2. to foretell 3. to obscure
affable: 1. kind or friendly 2. warm and open to others
affect: 1. to impact someone emotionally or mentally 2. to produce a change in
aggrandize: 1. increase the scope of 2. make great or greater 3. increase or enhance the power, status, position, reputation or wealth of
aggregate: 1. to collect or bring together 2. to add amounts together
alacrity: a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something
alchemy: 1. a type of chemistry from the Medieval age which focused on two major tasks: turning ordinary metals into gold and developing an elixir that allows people to stay young forever 2. magical powers of transformation or creation
allay: 1. to calm or to lessen negative feelings or pain 2. to pacify 3. to alleviate or relieve
allocate: divide and give out (something) for a particular purpose
altruistic: unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others
amalgamate: mix, merge, combine or unite to form one thing
amass: 1. to gather or collect goods of any kind over a long period of time 2. to accumulate
ambiguity: 1. the state of being unclear, inexact and open to more than one possible interpretation 2. doubtfulness
ambiguous: 1. not expressed or understood clearly 2. open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations
ambivalence: 1. the state of having simultaneous contradicting feelings towards an someone or something 2. uncertainty 3. fluctuation
ambulatory: 1. able to walk 2. mobile and able to move from one place to another 3. moving and not stationary
ameliorate: 1. to improve 2. to make better 3. to make tolerable
amenable: 1. ready or willing to answer, act, agree, or yield 2. responsible or answerable

amiable: pleasant and friendly; good-natured and likable
amicable: characterized by or exhibiting friendliness or goodwill, often despite a difficult situation
amity: 1. a positive or friendly relationship 2. a peaceful relationship, especially when referring to two or more nations or specific groups
amorphous: 1. without a defined shape or form 2. unorganized 3. missing a clear structure
anachronistic: 1. something or someone that is not in its correct chronological, proper, or historical order 2. something that is or seems to be no longer suitable for or relevant to modern times
analgesic: 1. a medication that is used to relieve pain without causing the patient to lose consciousness
analogous: 1. similar to 2. alike or related in a way that allows analogies to be drawn
anathema: 1. a malediction or a curse 2. something or someone that is considered to be cursed 3. someone or something that is greatly disliked
anomalous: deviating from or inconsistent with what is standard, normal, or expected
anomaly: 1. something strange or different from what is considered to be normal 2. unusual or unexpected 3. irregularity
antagonism: 1. unfriendliness or opposition 2. a strong feeling of dislike or hatred towards someone
antagonist: a person who opposes to, struggles against, or competes with someone or something, especially in combat; adversary; opponent
antediluvian: 1. of or belonging to the time before the biblical Flood 2. a very old or old-fashioned person or thing
anthology: 1. a book that contains many different selections, often from various authors 2. a collection of music or different works of art
antipathy: a strong feeling of intense aversion, dislike, or hostility
apathetic: feeling or showing little or no interest, enthusiasm, or concern, especially over something important
apathy: 1. uninterested and not energetic behavior 2. lack of interest 3. lack of concern
apocryphal: 1. something that is quite possibly untrue or is of doubtful authenticity, despite the fact that many people believe it to be true
append: 1. to attach something; to affix 2. to add something to a written work such as a letter or a book
apprehensive: 1. worried about something that is going to occur in the future 2. quick to understand
approbation: 1. approval, which is often given warmly or officially 2. accolade
approximate: 1. to come close to something 2. to be similar to something 3. to get near
arable: 1. land which is suitable for growing crops
arcane: known or understood by only a few; secret or mysterious
archaic: 1. antiquated 2. belonging to a time in the past 3. old-fashioned
archetype: 1. a perfect example or model for something 2. a prototype 3. the original pattern or model
archives: 1. a group of documents with some sort of historical or informational value 2. the place where these documents are kept
arrogate: 1. to appropriate or take ownership of something without the power or right to do so 2. to claim something in a way that is illegal or unfair
artifice: 1. clever skills or behavior that are often used to trick others 2. craftiness 3. ingenuity 4. trickery
artisan: 1. a craftsman 2. a worker who has a specific skill and is able to make things by hand 3. a company or person that produces small batches of high quality goods
ascendancy: the advantage, power, or influence that one person or group has over another; supremacy; domination
ascetic: avoiding physical pleasures and living a simple and severe self-disciplined life, typically for religious reasons
assail: physically attack or severely criticize (someone or something) in a violent or angry way
assiduous: showing hard work, great care, and attention to detail; diligent
assuage: 1. make less intense or severe 2. appease or satisfy
assume: 1. to believe that something is true without proof 2. to take on a role or responsibility 3. to adopt an idea
atrophy: 1. (of body tissue or a part of the body) a wasting or decrease in size because of disease, injury, or lack of use 2. gradual degeneration, decline, or decrease in effectiveness or vigor due to underuse or neglect
attenuate: reduce the strength, effect, density, amount, or size of something
attribute: 1. a trait or quality 2. a characteristic
audacious: extremely bold or daring, despite difficulties, risks, or the negative attitudes of other people
augment: 1. to increase something in size, quantity or value 2. to enlarge 3. to enhance
August: impressive; majestic; inspiring awe or admiration
auspicious: 1. showing signs or suggesting that a positive and successful future is likely 2. favored by fortune; prosperous; fortunate
austere: 1. strict or cold in one's behavior or appearance 2. serious 3. plain and lacking adornment, decoration or luxury
autocrat: 1. a ruler with absolute power; dictator; despot 2. someone who demands that people completely obey them
automaton: a self-operating machine or mechanism, especially a robot
avarice: extreme greed to get or keep money or possessions; cupidity
aver: 1. say (something) in a very strong and determined way 2. declare in a positive or confident manner
balk: 1. to stop suddenly and refuse to continue 2. to hinder or obstruct 3. to hesitate 4. to stubbornly refuse or to be unwilling to continue or let something happen
banal: boring, ordinary, or not interesting because it contains nothing new, original, or unusual


barrage: 1. a concentrated artillery bombardment to protect one's own advancing or retreating or to stop the advance of enemy troops 2. an artificial barrier across a river or estuary to increase the depth of the water, prevent flooding, facilitate irrigation, etc
befuddle: 1. to completely confuse someone 2. to perplex
beguile: 1. to trick someone, convincing them to do something 2. to charm someone 3. to mislead
beleaguer: 1. to harass or create trouble for 2. to besiege or surround a place, person or group with troops
belie: 1. give a false representation to; disguise or misrepresent 2. show to be false; contradict; prove false
bellicose: 1. hostile 2. aggressive and willing to fight 3. fond of arguing or fighting 4. quarrelsome
belligerent: inclined or eager to fight or argue; hostile and aggressive
bemoan: 1. to complain about something 2. to show or express disapproval of 3. to show or express grief over; to lament
benign: 1. not harmful 2. displaying kindness or gentleness 3. beneficial
bequeath: 1. leave or give (personal property) by will 2. pass (something) on to another; hand down
berate: scold or criticize (someone) angrily
bestial: 1. similar to or related to animals or beasts 2. brutal; showing traits that are not human 3. cruel
bigot: 1. a person who is intolerant of views other than his or her own 2. a person with a closed-mind
billowing: 1. moving in a way that looks like a wave 2. surging, swelling, or rolling
blandishment: a flattering or pleasing statement, speech, or action intended to flatter, coax, entice someone gently into doing something
blighted: 1. suffering from a disease 2. anything that destroys, prevents growth, or causes devaluation
blithe: 1. happy or joyous 2. carefree 3. casual and not worried about the possible negative consequences of one's actions
boisterous: 1. noisy, energetic, and lacking in restraint or discipline 2. (of waves, weather, wind, etc.) wild or stormy
bolster: 1. a long, narrow cushion or pillow 2. support or reinforce; strengthen
bombastic: (of speech, writing, etc.) high-sounding but with little meaning, usually intended to impress people; inflated; pretentious
boorish: rude and bad-mannered; of or like a boor; insensitive; awkward
broach: 1. to start to discuss a difficult or otherwise uncomfortable subject 2. to talk about a difficult subject for the first time
brusque: a very direct, brief, and unfriendly way in speech or manner
bulwark: 1. something or someone which protects one from negative, dangerous or unpleasant things or gives support and encouragement in bad situations 2. a wall built for defense
buoyant: 1. able to float 2. cheerful and optimistic
burgeon: 1. grow, increase, expand or develop quickly 2. begin to grow or blossom (as buds or branches)
burnish: 1. to make something brilliant or shiny by rubbing it 2. to polish
buttress: 1. a structure, usually made of brick or stone, built against a wall for support or strengthen it 2. a source of defense or support 3. something that resembles a buttress
cacophonous: involving or producing a harsh, discordant, and unpleasant mixture of loud sounds
cajole: persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax
caldron: 1. a large kettle or pot that is made of metal and is often hung over a fire in order to heat its contents
callow: 1. inexperienced, immature or young 2. lacking experience or judgment; not experienced in life 3. lacking feathers
calumny: 1. slander 2. a statement that is false, which is often made with malicious intent, looking to damage someone's reputation
canny: careful, shrewd, and having good judgment, especially in money or business matters
cantankerous: bad-tempered, quarrelsome, and often angry and annoyed
capable: 1. able to do something 2. quite good at a certain task; skilled
capacious: capable of containing a large quantity easily; spacious; roomy
capitulate: 1. surrender unconditionally or on stipulated terms 2. give up all resistance, usually because they are stronger than you
capricious: suddenly and unexpectedly changing mood or behavior without any good reason; impulsive and unpredictable
carping: 1. marked by excessive complaining or fault finding 2. critical or fault-finding 3. difficult to please
cartographer: 1. a person who designs, draws or otherwise makes charts and maps
castigate: criticize someone or something severely
catalyst: 1. (Chemistry) a substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction 2. somebody, something or an event that quickly causes change or action
catharsis: 1. a purging or cleansing of any part of the human body 2. a release of strong feelings or emotional tensions, especially through art
caustic: 1. capable of burning, corroding, destroying, or eating away by chemical action 2. severely critical or sarcastic, often in a funny or clever way
cavalcade: 1. a ceremonial procession of people, horses or vehicles 2. a series of related things or events
celerity: 1. speed or rapidity 2. swiftness or quickness
censorious: often criticizing other people or ideas, and wanting to find faults in them; highly critical
censure: strong criticism or disapproval of (someone or something), especially in a formal statement
certitude: 1. certainty or freedom from doubt 2. a feeling of confidence 3. a fact that someone is absolutely certain is true

chagrin: a feeling of being very annoyed, disappointed, or embarrassed because of failure, disappointment, or humiliation
chary: 1. cautious about taking risks or acting 2. choosy or sparing
chastise: 1. punish, especially by beating 2. scold or criticize someone severely for doing something wrong
chicanery: the use of clever, unfair, or dishonest methods to achieve a political, financial, or legal purpose
chide: 1. express mild disapproval of (someone) 2. scold mildly so as to correct or improve; reprimand
chimerical: 1. imagined or totally unrealistic 2. something conceived by a wild imagination
choleric: 1. hot-tempered and easily angered 2. prone to become angry quickly and/or easily
churlish: 1. rude, unfriendly, and unpleasant 2. difficult to work with or deal with
circuitous: 1. (of a route or journey) longer than it needs to be because it is not direct 2. not straight, short, and direct
circumlocution: 1. an indirect or roundabout way of expressing an idea 2. language that is wordier than it needs to be 3. using many words to express an idea that could easily be explained using less words
circumscribe: 1. draw a line around; encircle 2. restrict something such as power, rights, or opportunities within limits
circumspect: 1. prudent or careful about taking risks 2. cautious and wary about the outcome of an action
circumvent: 1. surround or circle around (an enemy, for example); enclose or entrap 2. avoid (defeat, failure, unpleasantness, etc.), especially cleverly or illegally 3. go around or bypass
clandestine: kept or done secretly and often illegal
classic: 1. typical; traditional; famous 2. extraordinarily good 3. timeless; considered to be good or exceptional over a long period of time
classical: 1. relating to ancient cultures 2. respecting tradition or the original way of doing things 3. traditional
coalesce: 1. grow together or into one body 2. unite or merge into a single body, group, or mass
coerce: 1. to convince someone to do something by threatening them or using force 2. to use force to get something
cogent: 1. an argument that is structured in such a way that makes it easily believable 2. something convincing 3. a logical argument
cogitate: 1. to meditate 2. to think deeply or carefully about something 3. to ponder 4. to ruminate
coherence: 1. a logical ordering of things 2. consistency 3. the state of being logical
coincide: 1. to happen at the same time 2. to be present at the same time and place 3. to agree with or be in agreement
collage: 1. a work of art made from scraps or pieces of other objects that are put onto a flat surface
collate: 1. to put pages into a logical or correct order 2. to examine and compare two or more written works
colloquial: 1. not formal 2. familiar and conversational 3. informal
collusion: 1. a conspiracy 2. secret cooperation or activities for illegal or fraudulent purposes
commandeer: 1. to seize control of something via force 2. to take control of something for military purposes 3. to confiscate
compatible: 1. able to exist in harmony 2. well-suited 3. capable of being mixed
compile: 1. to gather things together 2. to put things together in a logical or orderly form
complacency: a feeling of contentment or self-satisfaction with your own abilities or situation that prevents you from trying harder, often while unaware of some potential danger, defect, or the like
complaisant: 1. willing or eager to please other people 2. cheerfully obliging 3. agreeable
compliant: 1. complying, obliging, or yielding, especially to an excessive degree 2. meeting or in accordance with a set of rules, standards, or requirements
concise: 1. expressed in few words 2. clear and succinct 3. brief yet clear
concomitant: 1. something that is connected to something else, often occurring at the same time 2. something associated with another thing
concurrent: 1. contemporary 2. happening or existing at the same time 3. simultaneous
condescend: 1. to submit or to do something that one considers to be below oneself 2. to be patronizing
conflagration: a large destructive fire that causes a lot of land or property damage; large-scale military conflict
confluence: 1. a place where two rivers or streams join to become one 2. a coming together of people or things
conformity: 1. agreement or compliance with a particular subject or issue 2. behavior that displays compliance with socially accepted rules or norms
confound: 1. to surprise or confuse someone 2. to mix something up 3. to refute 4. to bewilder
congenial: 1. (of a person) agreeable, suitable, or pleasing in nature or character 2. (of a thing) pleasant or agreeable because suited to or adapted in one's spirit, feeling, temper, etc.; compatible
congenital: 1. present since birth 2. inherent 3. inborn
connoisseur: 1. an expert or a specialist in a certain matter 2. a discerning judge 3. an expert about a certain subject like food or art
consternation: a feeling of worry, shock, or confusion, often caused when something unexpected happens
constrain: 1. to keep back; to confine 2. to restrain; to limit 3. to force; to oblige
contemporary: 1. from or existing in the same time period 2. modern
contemptible: very bad and deserving no respect
contentious: 1. tending to argue or quarrel; quarrelsome 2. causing, involving, or characterized by argument or controversy
contusion: 1. a bruise 2. an injury that doesn't cut one's skin
convivial: 1. (of an atmosphere or event) friendly, lively, and making you feel happy and welcome; festive 2. (of a person) cheerful and friendly; jovial 3. fond of eating, drinking, and good company; sociable; jovial
copious: large in quantity or number; affording ample supply; abundant; plentiful
corpulent: 1. overweight 2. fat 3. physically large
corrugated: 1. wrinkled; creased 2. possessing parallel ridges or folds 3. furrowed
covert: 1. secretive or not openly shown 2. hidden; concealed 3. veiled
craven: 1. contemptibly lacking in courage; cowardly 2. a cowardly person
credulity: a tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true, especially without proper or adequate evidence; lack of doubt
credulous: 1. gullible or easily deceived 2. overly willing to believe what one sees or hears 3. easily tricked or convinced
cringe: 1. to move away from something or someone suddenly because you are surprised, afraid or embarrassed
cupidity: 1. avarice 2. a strong or excessive desire for possessions or wealth
cursory: quick and probably not detailed
curtail: 1. to reduce or shorten something 2. to establish a limit on something 3. to abridge
cynical: 1. displaying a belief that people only act in self-interested ways 2. pessimistic or skeptical 3. distrustful of humans or human nature 4. contemptuous or condescending
dauntless: showing fearlessness and determination
debase: 1. to degrade 2. to adulterate 3. to reduce in quality or value 4. to humiliate
debilitate: 1. make (someone or something) weak 2. reduce the strength of (someone or something)
debunk: expose or ridicule (an idea, belief, claim, etc.) as being pretentious, false, or exaggerated
decimate: 1. destroy, kill, or remove a large number or proportion of (a group) 2. reduce, damage, or destroy the strength or effectiveness of something severely 3. select by lot and kill every tenth one of
decorum: 1. appropriateness and good taste in behavior, speech, dress, etc. 2. etiquette 3. (often used in plural) decorums: the conventions or requirements of polite behavior
decry: 1. to openly express displeasure or disagreement with 2. to condemn
deference: respectful submission to someone or something
deferential: 1. considerate 2. respectful towards one's elders or superiors 3. polite
defile: 1. to spoil something by making it less pure; to corrupt 2. to pollute or make something dirty
defoliate: 1. to promote leaf loss on a plant, often by using chemicals 2. to make a plant or tree lose its leaves, often for agricultural or military reasons
defunct: 1. no longer in existence 2. dead 3. extinct
deleterious: 1. damaging or harmful 2. injurious to health
delineate: 1. describe or portray (something) clearly and precisely 2. draw or trace the outline of; sketch or trace in outline
demagogue: a person, especially an orator or political leader, who gains power and popularity by appealing to emotion, passions, prejudice, etc. rather than by using rational argument in order to win them over quickly and so gain power
demur: 1. to hesitate because you have doubts or object to something 2. to refuse to do something 3. to voice opposition
demure: (especially of a woman or her behavior) reserved, modest, shy, and well behaved
demystify: make (a difficult subject, mystery, or mystique from) clearer and easier to understand, especially by explaining it clearly
denigrate: 1. criticize in a derogatory and often unfair manner; defame 2. make (something) seem less important or valuable; belittle
denounce: 1. to condemn or accuse something or someone, often in a formal manner 2. to strongly and publicly criticize someone or something
deplete: 1. to cause a great reduction in the fullness or size of 2. to use up 3. to decrease the number of something
depose: 1. remove someone important from office or a position of power suddenly and forcefully 2. testify or affirm under oath, especially in a written statement
depravity: behavior that is immoral or evil; wickedness
deprecate: 1. criticize or express disapproval of (someone or something) 2. depreciate; belittle
depredation: 1. a predatory attack 2. an act of attacking, plundering, or preying upon
deride: speak of or write about (someone or something) in a way that shows you think they are stupid, unimportant, or useless; make fun of; ridicule
derivative: 1. developed from, based on, influenced by, or copied something else; derived 2. copied or adapted from others; not original; secondary
descry: 1. see (something unclear or distant) by looking carefully 2. discover by looking carefully
desecrate: 1. to pollute something with violence or spoil something, especially in reference to holy places
desiccate: dry (something, especially food) out thoroughly, typically in order to preserve it
desist: 1. to cease or to stop 2. to abstain from doing something
despondent: very sad and with no enthusiasm from loss of hope or courage; dejected
despot: 1. a ruler or other person with absolute, unlimited power, typically one who uses that power in cruel and unfair ways; autocrat 2. any tyrant or oppressor
destitute: 1. extremely poor and lacking money, food, a home, or possessions 2. (often followed by of) destitute of: deprived of, devoid of, or lacking
deter: 1. to discourage or keep someone from doing something 2. to make someone decide not to do something by making them fear the consequences or repercussions
deterrent: something that discourages; tending to deter
detrimental: 1. causing damage or injury 2. harmful
deviate: 1. to stray from the established course or standards 2. to digress

dexterous: 1. skillful in the use of one's hands 2. possessing great mental skill; clever
differentiate: 1. to determine or recognize the difference between two or more things; to distinguish 2. to make one thing unlike another
diffident: modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness
diffuse: 1. pour out and cause to spread freely, as a fluid 2. spread or scatter over a wide area widely or thinly; disseminate; dispersed; not concentrated in one area 3. spread among a large group of people 4. cause (light) to spread evenly to reduce glare
digress: leave or move away from the main subject being discussed temporarily in talking or writing
digression: a temporary departure from the main subject, especially in speech or writing
diligent: steady, hard-working, and careful in one's work or duties; industrious; painstaking
diminutive: extremely or unusually short or small in size; much smaller than ordinary or average; very small; little; tiny
dirge: 1. a funeral song or march 2. a slow and sad song that expresses grief and/or mourning
discern: 1. see, recognize, find out, or understand something that is far away or not very clear 2. perceive or recognize (someone or something) with difficulty by the sight or some other sense 3. come to know, recognize, or distinguish mentally
discomfit: make (someone) feel uneasy, embarrassed, uncomfortable, or confused, especially mentally
discrepancy: 1. a difference or variation between things that should be identical 2. inconsistency 3. disagreement
discrete: 1. distinct 2. separate 3. not continuous
discretion: 1. the ability to judge people or situations wisely and make the right choices 2. the ability to behave in a way that does not cause offense
discursive: 1. prone to straying from the main subject of a conversation or a lesson 2. rambling or superficially covering a wide range of topics
disdain: the feeling of not liking someone or something and thinking that they are not important and do not deserve any interest, respect, notice, response, etc.
disingenuous: 1. not straightforward; not candid or frank; insincere 2. slyly deceptive or misleading, typically by pretending that one knows less about something than one really does
disinterested: 1. impartial; not influenced by opinion, prejudice, etc.; free from bias 2. uninterested; indifferent
disparage: 1. speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way; belittle 2. lower in rank or reputation
disparity: 1. a large difference between two or more things 2. inequality 3. incongruity
dispassionate: not influenced or affected by passion, emotion, or bias
dispel: 1. make (a doubt, fear, belief, feeling, or idea) go away or end, usually by proving them wrong or unnecessary 2. drive away or off in various directions; disperse; dissipate
disputatious: inclined to dispute; fond of arguing; argumentative; contentious
disquiet: 1. a feeling of worry, unease, or nervous; impatient; restless; uneasy 2. make anxious, uneasy, or restless; disturb
dissemble: 1. hide your true feelings, opinions, motives, beliefs, etc. 2. hide under a false appearance; feign
disseminate: 1. spread (something, especially news, information, ideas, etc.) widely 2. scatter widely, as in sowing seed
diurnal: 1. daily; happening every day 2. done during the daytime or related to daytime
divulge: make (something private, secret, or previously unknown) known to public; disclose; reveal
dogmatic: an authoritative, arrogant assertion of unproved or unprovable principles as if they are certainly correct and cannot be doubted
dolt: 1. an idiot or stupid person 2. a dunce
drawl: 1. slow or lazy speech that is marked by the prolongation of vowel sounds
droll: 1. strange yet amusing 2. curious in a funny way
dupe: 1. deceive (an unwary person) by trickery; fool or cheat 2. an easily deceived person
ebullient: cheerful, lively, and showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm or excitement
eclectic: 1. selecting or choosing from various sources, systems, or styles 2. made up of or combining elements from a variety of sources
edifice: 1. a building or structure that is large and impressive 2. any sort of well-established system
efface: 1. cause to disappear by rubbing out or wiping out; erase 2. cause (something) to fade or disappear
efficacy: the ability or power to produce desired result or effect
effigy: 1. a sculpture or monument of a person 2. a poorly made dummy that looks like or represents a person and is most often used in protest or ridicule
effrontery: 1. presumptuousness without the ability to see that one's behavior is unacceptable 2. shamelessly bold behavior
effusive: 1. expressing pleasure or gratitude in an unrestrained manner; gushy 2. overflowing 3. exuberant
egress: 1. the act of leaving a place 2. an exit or way of leaving a location 3. permission or the right to leave
elated: 1. very happy and excited; exultantly proud and joyful; overjoyed 2. make very proud, happy, or joyful
elicit: 1. evoke or draw out (a response, information, etc.) from someone 2. draw out or entice forth; bring to light
elucidate: make clear, plain, or easy to understand, especially by explanation or giving more information; clarify; explain
elude: 1. avoid or escape from (a danger, enemy, or pursuer) by quickness, cunning, etc.; evade 2. fail to be understood or remembered by (someone) 3. fail to be achieved by (someone)
elusive: 1. difficult to describe, find, catch, achieve, understand, or remember 2. cleverly or skillfully evasive
emaciated: 1. extremely thin due to great hunger or illness
emancipate: 1. to liberate someone or something 2. to free someone or something from bondage or control 3. to grant freedom and rights to someone
embezzle: 1. to secretly take money for your own use from someone who trusts you 2. to defraud
emollient: having the quality of softening, soothing, relaxing, or less painful, especially to the skin
empathy: the ability to understand and share the feelings, thoughts, attitudes, experiences, and emotions of another
empirical: relying on or derived from observation or experiment rather than theory or pure logic
emulate: try to equal or excel (someone or something you admire), typically by imitation
encomium: a speech or piece of writing that expresses glowing and warmly enthusiastic praise
encompass: 1. form a circle or ring around; encircle; surround 2. include different types of people or things; include comprehensively; contain 3. enclose; envelop
endemic: 1. very common, prevalent in, or peculiar to a particular locality, region, or people 2. native
enervate: 1. deprive (someone) of physical, mental, or moral energy or vitality 2. weaken
enfranchise: 1. to give a group of people or a person specific rights, especially the right to vote 2. to free from bondage
engender: produce, cause, or give rise to (a feeling, situation, or condition)
enhance: intensify, increase, or improve the quality, amount, extent, or strength of something, as in cost, value, attractiveness, effectiveness, etc.
enmity: 1. animosity 2. hatred 3. ill-will towards others 4. a deep-seated dislike of another person
ensconce: 1. to make oneself comfortable or safe; to settle 2. to conceal something
enumerate: 1. name (a number of things in a series or list) separately, one by one 2. determine the number of; count
ephemeral: lasting for only a very short time
epicure: 1. a gourmet 2. someone who enjoys good food and wine and has refined tastes
epistle: 1. a missive; a long and formal letter 2. a literary work, such as a novel or a poem, that takes the form of a series of many letters
epistolary: 1. conducted by letters; written in letter form 2. associated with letters or the writing of letters
epitome: 1. a person or thing that is a representative or perfect example of a whole class or type 2. a summary of a written work; an abstract
equanimity: the state of being calm, stable, and composed, especially after a shock or disappointment or in a difficult situation
equitable: dealing fairly and equally with everyone; just and impartial
equivocal: 1. not clear and seeming to have two or more possible opposing meanings 2. ambiguous
equivocate: 1. to deliberately speak in a way that confuses people in an attempt to conceal the truth 2. to lie 3. to mislead a person or people
erode: 1. to eat away or wear away something 2. to slowly deteriorate 3. to reduce something
erosion: 1. the gradual corroding or eating away of a subject 2. deterioration
erudite: having, containing, or showing a lot of knowledge or learning gained from reading
eschew: 1. to escape or avoid 2. to stop doing something or give something up 3. to intentionally keep away from something
esoteric: intended for or understood by only a small number of people, especially those with special knowledge
espouse: 1. to marry someone or take them as your spouse 2. to give your support to a belief or an idea 3. to embrace a cause
ethic: 1. a belief or set of beliefs which affects one's behavior 2. a person's moral principles or standards
etymology: 1. the study of the history and origins of words 2. the study of the evolution of words
evanescent: soon passing away or fading from sight, memory, or existence like vapor or smoke; quickly fading or disappearing; lasting for only a short time
evince: 1. to show or demonstrate something in a clear way 2. to reveal something, such as an emotion
evoke: 1. bring (a memory, feeling, image, etc.) into the mind 2. bring out; arouse; call forth
exacerbate: increase the severity, violence, or bitterness of (disease, pain, annoyance, etc.)
exacting: 1. rigid or severe in demands or requirements; not easily satisfied; rigorous 2. requiring great effort, time, care, patience, or attention
excavate: 1. dig a large hole or channel in the ground, especially with a machine 2. uncover or expose by digging; unearth 3. dig out and remove (earth, soil, etc.) 4. form (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by digging
exceptionable: 1. debatable; open to or causing objection 2. upsetting 3. causing people to be offended
exculpate: show, declare, or prove that someone is not guilty of a crime or other bad action
execrable: 1. abominable or excessively terrible 2. detestable or easy to hate
exegesis: 1. critical analysis or explanation of a text, especially one from the Bible
exemplify: 1. to serve as a typical example of 2. to use an example to illustrate or clarify 2. to embody
exhaustive: 1. complete; comprehensive 2. dealing with or studying all aspects 3. all-inclusive
exhort: strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something by strong, often stirring argument, admonition, advice, or appeal; admonish strongly
exorbitant: going far beyond what is reasonable, fair, expected, just, proper, or usual, especially of a price or amount charged
expatriate: 1. someone who no longer lives in the country they were born in or the country considered to be their homeland
expiate: 1. to accept punishment or pay the price for one's actions 2. to make amends
exploitation: 1. selfish utilization of someone's work 2. abuse of someone in order to gain advantage
expunge: 1. to get rid of or cancel 2. to get rid of something written by erasing it or striking it out
extant: (especially of a document) not destroyed or lost; still in existence, usually despite being very old
extenuate: (of a factor or situation) lessen or try to lessen the seriousness or extent of (an offense, guilt, etc.) by giving excuses or serving as an excuse
extol: praise (someone or something) highly, especially in a very enthusiastic way
extraneous: 1. not essential 2. not required to do something 3. unrelated; irrelevant
extricate: free or remove (someone or something) from a difficult or unpleasant situation (such as a trap, net, debt, peril, etc.); set free
extrinsic: 1. external; not originating inside something or someone 2. extraneous
fabricate: 1. to create 2. to manufacture 3. to build
facile: 1. ignoring the true complexities or difficulties of a real situation; superficial 2. (of a person) having a superficial or simplistic knowledge or approach 3. working, acting, or speaking with effortless ease and fluency 4. (of success) easily achieved
facilitate: 1. to help make something happen 2. to assist 3. to make something easier
fallacious: 1. based on false information or ideas; erroneous; illogical 2. deceptive; misleading
fallacy: 1. a mistaken belief that a lot of people think is true but is in fact false 2. (logic) a mistake or failure in reasoning that makes an argument or idea invalid 3. a misleading or unsound argument 4. deceptive, misleading, or false nature
fanaticism: wildly excessive or irrational (especially religious, political, or ideological) beliefs, devotion, dedication, or enthusiasm that make someone behave in an unreasonable way
fastidious: 1. very attentive to small details and wanting everything to be correct and perfect 2. difficult to please; exacting 3. wanting (clothes, possessions, and property) to always be clean, neat, etc.
fatuous: 1. something or someone that is silly, foolish or pointless
fawn: seek favor or attention by a cringing or flattering manner
feasible: 1. achievable 2. capable of being done or accomplished 3. possible 4. likely
feign: pretend to feel or be affected by (a feeling, state, or injury)
felicitous: 1. suitable or carefully chosen for some purpose or situation; aptly chosen; appropriate; apt 2. marked by happiness or good fortune; pleasing and fortunate
feral: 1. a wild or undomesticated animal 2. a person who behaves in a wild manner
fervent: 1. having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm, etc. 2. hot; boiling; burning; glowing
fervid: 1. having or showing feelings, spirit, or enthusiasm, especially to an excessive degree 2. very hot; burning; glowing
fervor: 1. intensity of emotion 2. zeal 3. enthusiasm 4. great heat
fetid: 1. something that has a terrible smell, often as if it were decaying
fitful: 1. restless or sporadic 2. marked by frequent stops or pauses 3. prone to change
flabbergasted: 1. shocked 2. surprised 3. dumbfounded
flagrant: 1. (of a bad action, situation, person, etc.) shockingly noticeable or evident; obviously offensive; glaringly bad; notorious; outrageous 2. notorious; scandalous
flamboyant: 1. excessively decorated 2. ornate 3. brightly colored and showy, often to draw attention to someone or something
flaunt: 1. to show something, like a personal quality, wanting to get admiration from others 2. to flaunt something
fledgling: 1. a young bird just fledged 2. a young, inexperienced, or underdeveloped person or organization
flippant: showing a lack of proper respect or seriousness about a serious subject or situation, in an attempt to be funny or to appear clever, especially when this annoys other people
florid: 1. flushed with red or pink 2. highly decorated
flounder: stagger or struggle helplessly or clumsily to move or regain one's balance, as in deep mud or snow
flout: 1. to scorn something 2. to reject 3. to consciously refuse to comply with a rule or law
fluctuate: 1. to constantly undergo changes 2. to undulate 3. to shift back and forth; to rise and fall
foolhardy: bold or daring in a foolish way; foolishly ignoring obvious dangers; rash; reckless
forbearance: the quality of being polite, calm, and patient in difficult situations or in the face of provocation; self-control; patient restraint and tolerance
forlorn: 1. pitifully sad and lonely; unhappy and neglected; abandoned or left behind 2. nearly hopeless; desperate
forsake: 1. to desert or abandon someone who needs you 2. to give up something special or important
fortitude: mental and emotional strength in facing or enduring pain, difficulty, adversity, misfortune, danger, or temptation with courage
fortuitous: 1. happening by accident or chance rather than intention, especially in a way that is lucky or convenient 2. lucky; fortunate
fractious: 1. irritable and quarrelsome 2. difficult to control; unruly
fraudulent: 1. dishonest and illegal; based on fraud or deception; using fraud; tricky; deceitful; dishonest 2. done or obtained by deception, especially criminal deception
fraught: filled, charged, or loaded (with), especially unpleasant or undesirable things such as problems, difficulties, or things that are confusing
furor: 1. a great, widespread outburst of enthusiasm, excitement, controversy, or the like; craze; fury; rage; madness 2. a sudden outburst (as of protest); public disorder or uproar 3. violent anger; frenzy
furrow: 1. a deep wrinkle in one's skin 2. a line in the ground that was dug by a plow 3. a long line or channel in any surface
furtive: done quietly, quickly and secretly to avoid being noticed
gait: 1. a particular way or manner of walking, stepping, or running; manner of moving on foot; way of walking or running 2. the particular way a horse or dog walks or runs
galleon: 1. a three-masted ship used, primarily by the Spanish, between the 15th and 17th century as a warship or a merchant ship
gambol: 1. to frolic or jump about playfully 2. to skip about
gargantuan: very large in size or amount; of a tremendous size, volume, or degree; huge; enormous; gigantic
garish: too bright or colorful (clothes or decoration) in an ugly way; tastelessly colorful, showy, or elaborate
garrulous: talking much or too much, especially about things that are not important
gaunt: 1. extremely thin due to illness or hunger 2. empty or barren 3. dreary
genial: 1. cheerful, friendly, and sympathetic; amiable 2. (of air or climate) pleasantly mild and warm; favorable for life, growth, or comfort
germane: 1. relevant to the argument or subject being discussed 2. fitting 3. related to a subject
germinal: 1. in the earliest stages of development 2. embryonic 3. creative
germinate: 1. sprout or cause to sprout, as from a seed, spore, bulb, or bud 2. start developing or growing 3. come into existence; begin
glacial: 1. icy or unfriendly 2. related to a glacier 3. slow moving 4. extraordinarily cold
gluttony: 1. the act of eating and drinking more than one needs 2. excess in eating or drinking
grandiose: 1. (in a good sense) large and impressive, in size, effect, grandeur, or extent 2. (in a bad sense) seeming or trying to seem very important, but really looking artificial or silly; pompous and showy 3. more complicated or elaborate than necessary
gratis: 1. free 2. without charge or price
gregarious: 1. an extremely sociable person 2. an animal that tends to live in flocks or herds
guffaw: 1. a hearty, unrestrained, and loud burst of laughter
guile: clever and usually dishonest methods to achieve something or to make others do what you want
guileless: innocent; honest; straightforward
gustatory: 1. pertaining to the sense of taste
hackneyed: 1. (of a phrase, idea, fashion, etc.) have been said or used so often that they no longer seem interesting or original and have become boring and not interesting 2. not fresh or original
hapless: unlucky and usually unhappy
harangue: 1. a long, angry and vociferous speech, often made with the intention of persuading someone 2. an aggressive and highly opinionated piece of writing
hasten: 1. make something happen sooner or more quickly; speed up; accelerate 2. move or act quickly; hurry 3. cause to hurry
haughtiness: 1. arrogance 2. believing that one is better or more important than others 3. shameful pride
haughty: having or showing irrational pride in oneself and irrational disdain for others
hedonist: a person who believes that pleasure or happiness is the most important goal in life; a pleasure-seeker
hegemony: 1. dominance, influence or control over others, especially in reference to political power
heresy: 1. a belief or opinion that is against the orthodox doctrines of a particular (especially Christian) religion and is considered wrong 2. any belief or theory (in politics, philosophy, science, etc.) that is opposed to established beliefs, customs, etc.
hiatus: 1. a pause in a specific event or activity 2. an interruption or space where something is missing 3. a gap or a break
hierarchy: 1. the order of people based on their rank or status 2. a system where people or things are ranked based on their status
hinder: 1. to limit someone's possibilities or the ability to do something 2. to hamper or impede 3. to slow something down
histrionic: 1. of or relating to actors, acting, or the theater 2. excessively theatrical, dramatic, or emotional in character or style; affected
hoary: 1. white, gray, or grayish-white in color 2. ancient 3. extremely old
homogeneous: of the same or similar nature or kind
hone: 1. to sharpen something or make it sharper than it already is 2. to improve a skill 3. to perfect
hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence that offends people; arrogance resulting from excessive pride or from passion
hyperbole: 1. a figure of speech in which the speaker or writer exaggerates for emphasis 2. an exaggerated statement that is not intended to be taken literally
hypochondriac: 1. a person who speculates a great deal about his or her own health and believes that they are sick when they are, in fact, not sick at all 2. someone who is constantly anxious about his or her own health
ideology: 1. a set of ideas which influence or govern a person or a society
idiosyncrasy: 1. a strange or unusual habit, way of behaving, or feature that is characteristic of a person, especially that is different from most people 2. an unusual feature or characteristic of something 3. an unusual individual reaction to food or a drug
ignominy: public shame or embarrassment where you lose other people's respect; shame and dishonor; infamy
illicit: 1. not allowed by law, custom, rule, etc.; prohibited; unlawful 2. disapproved of or not permitted for moral or ethical reasons; illegal or disapproved of by society
illusory: 1. not real despite appearing as if it's real 2. deceptive
immutable: 1. not able to be changed 2. always the same
impassive: 1. calm and not showing emotion 2. unaffected 3. expressionless and without feeling
impecunious: having little or no money
imperious: proud and unplesant attitude of assuming power or authority without justification and expecting other people to obey
impertinent: 1. rude and not demonstrating the amount of respect that is customary for the situation at hand
impervious: 1. (scientific) impenetrable 2. incapable of being affected or harmed
impetuous: 1. acting or done quickly, without considering the results of your actions; controlled by emotion rather than thought 2. moving with great force or violence; rushing; furious
impinge: 1. to have a negative effect on something, often limiting it 2. to collide with or hit something 3. to encroach upon something
impious: 1. disrespectful or not showing the proper respect, especially when related to religion 2. lacking the expected level of respect for authority
implacable: 1. someone with strong ideas which are impossible to change 2. unable to appease
implicit: 1. not explicitly said or explained; implied 2. suggested
impoverished: 1. very poor; poverty stricken 2. something that has become worse than it previously was
impute: say or suggest that someone or something has a specific quality, especially a bad one, or is guilty of (something, especially something undesirable)
inadvertent: 1. accidental or not on purpose 2. not intentional 3. heedless
incentive: 1. something that motivates people to do something or take action 2. a reward or the threat of punishment that inspires people to act
inchoate: not completely formed or developed yet; disorganized; incomplete
incipient: 1. just starting 2. in the beginning stages 3. beginning to appear
incisive: 1. sharp 2. penetrating 3. clearly expressed 4. direct
incline: 1. to be in favor of something or have a preference 2. to bend or slant 3. to slope
incoherent: 1. unclear; difficult to understand 2. rambling or disjointed 3. lacking unity
incompatible: 1. unable to exist together in harmony or agreement because of basic differences 2. not consistent or able to coexist with (another)
incongruity: 1. the condition, quality, or fact of being unusual or different to other things which happen or exist in the same situation; incompatibility; unsuitableness; dissimilarity; inconsistency 2. disagreement of parts; lack of symmetry or of harmony
incongruous: 1. inappropriate or not considered to be normal 2. incompatible or inconsistent with the rest of things in its group or time
inconsequential: 1. of little or no importance; insignificant; trivial 2. inconsequent; illogical 3. irrelevant
incredulous: 1. unwilling or unable to believe something, and usually showing this; doubting; skeptical 2. showing doubt or disbelief 3. incredible; not easy to be believed
incubate: 1. hatch 2. develop or cause to develop under favorable conditions
indefatigable: 1. untiring and inexhaustible 2. not yielding to fatigue despite persisting in labor or effort for a long time
indelible: 1. impossible to remove or forget 2. producing marks that cannot be erased or removed 3. permanent
index: 1. an alphabetical list showing all that is included in a book or a larger document 2. an alphabetical list of the documents in a collection 3. an indication
indignant: feeling or showing anger or annoyance at unfair, mean, or ungrateful action or treatment
indiscriminate: 1. affecting or harming many people or things without considering who or what you harm or damage 2. done without choosing or judging carefully; not discriminating 3. random; haphazard
indolent: 1. disliking or avoiding work; idle; lazy 2. causing little or no pain 3. slow to heal, grow, or develop; inactive
indomitable: very determined and impossible to defeat, discourage, or subdue; unyielding; unconquerable
ineffable: too great, powerful, impressive, beautiful, etc., to be described or expressed in words
inert: 1. unable to move or act 2. moving or acting very slowly 3. not energetic or interesting
inertia: 1. lack of activity 2. the fact that matter moves in the same direction unless acted upon by another force
inexorable: 1. incapable of being altered, swayed or stopped 2. not capable of being persuaded
infallible: 1. never failing 2. unable to make a mistake 3. trustworthy or totally sure 4. incapable of being wrong
ingenuous: innocent and unsuspecting, artless, innocent, naive, candid or openly straightforward, especially because they have not had much experience of life
inherent: existing in someone or something as a natural and inseparable element, quality, right, or attribute
inhibit: 1. prevent someone from doing what he or she wants to do 2. prevent or slow down the activity, growth or occurrence of (something) 3. restrain, hinder, arrest, or check (an action, impulse, etc.)
inimical: 1. harmful or injurious 2. unkind or hostile towards others
iniquity: 1. complete immorality 2. wickedness or sin 3. something completely unfair 4. something unjust
innocuous: 1. that does not injure or harm 2. not likely to bother or offend anyone 3. not likely to arouse strong feelings or hostility
innovate: 1. to begin to use or to invent new ideas, concepts, products, equipment, etc. 2. to make changes
inscrutable: (especially of a person or their expression) difficult or impossible to understand or interpret; enigmatic; mysterious
insensible: 1. not able to feel pain, emotions, etc. 2. unaware; unconscious 3. not caring about or sympathetic to someone or something; not be unwilling to react to it 4. not realizing or noticing something
insipid: 1. without flavor; tasteless 2. not interesting or exciting; dull; boring
instigate: 1. cause something to happen or begin, especially an official process 2. urge, provoke, or incite to some action, especially something bad
insular: 1. ignorant of or no interested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside your own group or country 2. not interested in learning new ideas or ways of doing things 3. of, relating to, or from an island
insurgent: 1. rebellious 2. fighting against leadership, authority, government or political rule
integrate: 1. to add something to a unit to make it whole 2. to combine two or more things 3. to join; to unify
interminable: 1. continual 2. without end 3. tedious
intermittent: 1. happening at irregular intervals 2. not steady 3. stopping and starting
intransigence: 1. stubbornness 2. unwillingness to compromise or yield 3. inflexibility
intransigent: unwilling or refusing to change your opinions or behavior with no good reason
intrepid: very bold or brave and showing no fear of dangerous situations; fearless
intrinsic: 1. inherent 2. relating to the basic nature of something 3. fundamental
inundate: overwhelm (someone or something) by sending or providing with a large amount of things at the same time
inure: 1. to make someone or something used to something unpleasant 2. to harden 3. to take effect
invective: 1. severe or abusive language used to blame, criticize or insult
inveterate: 1. established or habitual 2. deep-rooted 3. settled in a habit and unlikely to change
invidious: 1. arousing anger or envy in others 2. causing animosity due to unfairness 2. offensive
inviolable: 1. incorruptible 2. indestructible 3. unable to be violated or attacked due to its sacred status
irascible: becoming angry very easily
ire: 1. intense anger 2. wrath 3. rage
irksome: 1. annoying and tedious 2. irritating
irreproachable: 1. impeccable 2. perfect 3. without fault 4. blameless
irreverent: having or showing a lack of seriousness or respect for official, important, or holy things that are generally taken seriously
irrevocable: 1. unable to be taken away 2. unable to be changed 3. final
itinerant: 1. moving from place to place, especially for work reasons 2. traveling
jaded: 1. feeling or showing a lack of interest and excitement because something has been experienced too many times 2. worn out or wearied, as by overwork or overuse; tired
jargon: 1. special vocabulary or expressions that are difficult to understand and are exclusively used by a certain group of professionals 2. gibberish
jaundiced: 1. unnaturally yellow in color 2. envious or jealous 3. prejudiced or judgmental
jaunt: 1. a short trip or journey taken for fun or pleasure
jocular: humorous, amusing, or joking; funny or intended to make someone laugh
jollity: 1. happiness or cheerfulness 2. a festive or celebratory gathering
jubilant: 1. thrilled 2. feeling and expressing great joy 3. expressing extreme happiness, often due to a victory or success
jubilation: great happiness or joy because something good has happened
judicious: having, applying, or showing reason and good judgment or sense in making decisions
jurisprudence: 1. the theory or science of law 2. a system, body or department of law
justify: 1. to explain or defend one's position or reasoning 2. to adjust one's text so that the right and left edges of a document are equal 3. to prove something to be correct
juxtaposition: 1. the act of placing items side-by-side 2. the act of placing items close together, often to incite comparison
kindle: 1. to build or light a fire 2. to make something burn; to ignite 3. to arouse an emotion or cause a feeling 4. to stir up
knotty: 1. full of knots and tangles 2. confusing or puzzling
labyrinth: 1. something that is perplexing or confusing 2. a network of paths or passages that is considered to be confusing or difficult to navigate
lachrymose: 1. depressed; sad 2. tending to cry easily or frequently 3. causing tears
lackadaisical: feeling or showing a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or determination; carelessly lazy
laconic: using very few words in speech, writing, or expression; terse; concise
laggard: someone or something that is very slow or late in doing things and always falling behind others
lampoon: 1. to criticize a person or a group through a humorous piece of writing or art
languid: 1. lacking enthusiasm, energy, or strength; without interest or spirit 2. (of a period of time) relaxed and pleasant 3. weak or faint from illness or fatigue 4. slow in progress; tardy
languish: 1. to become weaker 2. to suffer through a difficult, unwanted situation over an extended period of time 3. to long for something or someone 4. to be ignored or neglected
largess: 1. money or gifts given liberally or openly, often to many people 2. generous giving of gifts
latent: exists but is not active, obvious, completely developed, or cannot be seen
laud: praise someone or something highly
laudable: deserving or worthy of praise
legerdemain: 1. trickery or skillful deceit 2. a sleight of hand or cleverly executed trick
legislate: 1. to create and pass laws
lethargic: 1. sluggish or drowsy; tired or slightly tired 2. apathetic
leviathan: 1. something or someone that is very large and powerful, especially a ship 2. a very large animal, especially a whale
levity: 1. lack of seriousness, especially when strictness is required or appropriate 2. frivolity 3. fickleness
libertarian: 1. a person who believes that individuals should be able to make their own decisions and that the government shouldn't limit them
licentious: 1. amoral or lascivious 2. showing little to no respect for laws or social norms 3. not restrained
limpid: 1. transparent; clear 2. easily intelligible 3. serene and without worry
liniment: 1. a fluid that is rubbed on a specific part of the body in order to relieve muscle pain
listless: having or showing little or no energy, enthusiasm, or liveliness and unwilling to do anything needing effort
lithe: young, healthy, attractive, and able to move and bend in an easy and graceful way
lofty: 1. elevated; high 2. arrogant; thinking that one is better or more important than others 3. tall
longevity: 1. long life 2. the length or duration of life 3. long existence or service
loquacious: tending to talk a lot or too much
lugubrious: very sad, mournful, dismal, or gloomy, especially in a way that seems exaggerated, ridiculous, or insincere way
lummox: 1. a large and clumsy person who is often considered to be quite stupid
luxuriant: 1. (of vegetation) abundant or lush in growth; having heavy and thick growth 2. fertile; fruitful; productive 3. richly abundant, profuse, or superabundant 4. marked by or displaying luxury; luxurious
maelstrom: 1. extremely turbulent and violent water that rapidly moves in a circular direction 2. a violent or tumultuous situation
magnanimous: 1. kind, generous, or forgiving in overlooking injury or insult, especially towards a rival or less powerful person; free from petty resentfulness or vindictiveness 2. high-minded; generous and noble
magnate: 1. a very successful or very important person in a specific industry
maladroit: 1. awkward 2. clumsy 3. inept 4. unskilled
malady: 1. an illness, disease or ailment 2. a major problem
malediction: 1. a curse or the act of saying a curse 2. speaking in a defamatory or evil way
malefactor: 1. a person that does things that are illegal; a criminal 2. a person that does evil
malevolent: causing or wanting to cause harm or evil to another or others; malicious; evil
malingerer: 1. a person who fakes being ill in order to avoid work or a duty they are supposed to perform
malleable: 1. (of a metal or other material) able to be hammered, pounded, or pressed into various shapes without breaking or cracking 2. easily influenced, trained, or controlled; adaptable
mallet: 1. a hammer or a hammer-like tool 2. a stick with a spherical padded head that is used to play specific percussion instruments 3. a long-handled wooden hammer used to play croquet
manifold: 1. multiple or many in number 2. varied or consisting of multiple parts or elements 3. plentiful, numerous
marginal: 1. not important 2. quite small 3. on the margin or border
marred: damaged or disfigured by injury or rough wear; spoiled; impaired
marsupial: 1. any animal that has a pouch in which its young stay until they are fully developed and able to survive outside of the pouch
martinet: 1. a person who demands that others follow the laws or rules exactly 2. an extremely strict person
maverick: a person who refuses to follow the customs or rules of or resists adherence to a group
mawkish: 1. sickening or nauseating 2. overly emotional or excessively sentimental, often in a false way
meager: 1. meek or feeble 2. inadequate 3. deficient in quantity; less than is needed or necessary
meander: 1. to walk slowly and without purpose or without direction 2. to follow a winding path 3. to randomly wander
mediate: 1. to settle disputes through negotiation 2. to be an intermediary 3. to work with opposing sides to reach an agreement
menagerie: 1. a collection of animals that are kept in cages and exhibited for the public 2. a place where a collection of animals is kept 3. a diverse group
mendacious: 1. deceptive and untruthful 2. false 3. lying
mercurial: 1. changing mood or opinion unexpectedly, suddenly, and often 2. volatile; erratic; unstable 3. lively and continuously active
mettle: 1. resilience; stamina 2. fortitude and courage 3. the ability to deal with situations that are considered difficult 4. temperament
milieu: 1. setting 2. environment 3. the conditions and people that create a person's environment
mire: 1. to entangle or trap 2. to cause to stick or get stuck 3. to soil or stain with mud
misanthrope: a person who hates or distrusts all people and avoids involvement with human society
miserly: 1. a person who is reluctant or unhappy to spend money 2. a person who is not charitable or thoughtful with others
mitigate: make something less severe, serious, painful, harmful, unpleasant, or bad
modicum: 1. a limited amount of something 2. a small object 3. a reduced quantity
modify: 1. to make changes to something 2. to adjust or alter
monotonous: 1. repetitive and boring 2. lacking variety 3. dull 4. wearisome
moratorium: 1. a temporary or permanent stoppage 2. a legally authorized or ordered stoppage of payments by a debtor due to an emergency or unforeseen circumstances 3. a pause
moribund: 1. near death 2. near extinction or obsoleteness 3. stagnant or not active
motley: 1. a heterogeneous group 2. polychromatic 3. characterized by variety
multifarious: 1. characterized by variety 2. largely diverse 3. composed of a wide variety of parts or elements
munificent: 1. very generous 2. liberal with one's giving of money 3. lavish
mutinous: 1. rebellious and uncontrollable 2. refusing to accept authority 3. unruly; disobedient
myriad: 1. a large number, often one that is too large to count 2. a great deal of people or things
nadir: 1. the point opposite the zenith on a sphere, directly below the observer 2. the lowest, worst point in a situation
nascent: 1. emerging or beginning to exist 2. recently formed or started 3. developing
nebulous: 1. vague; ambiguous; missing a definitive shape or definition 2. cloud-like 3. misty; foggy
negate: 1. to deny something or say something isn't true 2. to cancel something out; to nullify
neologism: 1. a word or phrase which has only recently been invented or coined 2. a new meaning for a word that already exists
neophyte: 1. a newcomer to a specific belief; a proselyte 2. a person who has only recently started to participate in a subject or an activity
nettle: 1. to bother or annoy 2. to provoke 3. to irritate or sting as if with nettles
noisome: 1. very unpleasant, offensive or disgusting, as an odor 2. harmful, dangerous, or injurious, especially to health
nomadic: 1. constantly moving from place to place without a fixed pattern 2. itinerant 3. pertaining to a wandering tribe
nominal: 1. insignificant 2. in name, but not in practice 3. very small
nonchalance: 1. indifference 2. a lack of concern 3. composure; casualness
nondescript: 1. lacking any characteristic or quality which marks something as different or individual 2. very ordinary 3. dull; drab; plain
nonentity: 1. something that doesn't exist 2. something imaginary 3. someone or something that is not important
notoriety: 1. infamy; disrepute 2. fame that is received for negative reasons or actions
noxious: 1. detrimental to living beings 2. something that is dangerous for one's physical health
nuance: a small variation in meaning, tone or feeling
nuclear: 1. related to or employing nuclear weapons or energy 2. related to the nucleus of an atom
nullify: 1. to void something, especially a legal agreement or decision 2. to make something useless or null
obdurate: 1. stubbornly refusing to do what other people want 2. stubbornly refusing to change your opinions, plans, or the way you do something despite what anyone else says, in a way that does not seem reasonable
obfuscate: 1. to make something more difficult to understand, often intentionally 2. to darken or make opaque 3. to make something obscure or confusing
oblique: 1. possessing a slanting or sloping angle or direction; inclined 2. not expressing something in a clear or direct manner
obliterate: 1. to totally destroy 2. to make something disappear completely 3. to get rid of, erase or cover completely
obsequious: 1. overly attentive or eager to flatter others 2. excessive obedience or flattery, often in order to gain favors from people of influence
obstinate: 1. unreasonably stubborn and unwilling to change one's opinion or attitude 2. troublesome to deal with, change or remove
obstreperous: 1. noisy and unruly, often in an aggressive way 2. resistant to authority; defiant
obtuse: annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand explanations or situations quickly
obviate: anticipate and prevent or remove (a need, problem, difficulty, disadvantage, etc.) by effective measures so that action to deal with it becomes unnecessary
odious: 1. something that causes strong dislike or hatred 2. repulsive or vile
officious: someone who is overly eager to offer their unsolicited opinion, advice or services; overbearing
offset: 1. to balance or counteract something 2. to compensate
ogle: 1. to look at someone fondly or amorously 2. to stare at something in a way that shows desire
olfactory: 1. related to one's sense of smell
omnipotent: 1. possessing infinite power 2. having an enormous influence 3. all-powerful
omniscient: 1. possessing unlimited knowledge 2. knowing, or seemingly knowing, everything
onerous: 1. something difficult to deal with, oppressive or burdensome 2. something difficult to endure 3. something draining
onus: 1. a burden or a difficult task 2. an obligation 3. responsibility
opaque: 1. not letting light pass through; not transparent or translucent 2. difficult to understand or explain
ordain: 1. to formally make or declare someone a preacher, priest or other religious leader 2. to formally declare or order 3. to establish by law or other rules
ornate: 1. elaborate or heavily adorned 2. marked by complex language and unusual vocabulary
orthodox: 1. conventional or acceptable by the general public 2. traditional or old-fashioned in one's beliefs 3. a strict observer of a certain faith
ossify: 1. convert or be converted into bone 2. become rigid or inflexible in habits, attitudes, opinions, etc.
ostensible: 1. something apparent or professed to be true 2. something conspicuous and open to view
overlap: 1. a shared area of responsibility or interest 2. the amount in which two things cover a shared area 3. the period of time when two different things are occurring
overt: 1. transparent; done or displayed in public 2. not hidden 3. clear and apparent
overwrought: 1. tired; fatigued 2. upset 3. nervous or worried 4. overly emotional 5. too ornate or complex
palatable: 1. tasty 2. fit to be consumed by humans 3. acceptable
palliate: 1. to lessen the symptoms of an illness 2. to make something less severe 3. to make something serious seem less important or negative
pallid: 1. lacking vitality, liveliness or intensity; dull 2. extremely pale, to the point that one appears to be unhealthy
palpable: 1. so strong or so obvious that it can be felt 2. easily noticed 3. tangible
panacea: 1. a cure for any malady 2. something that people think will cure any difficulty or problem
panegyric: a speech or piece of writing in praise of someone or something
paradigm: 1. something that serves as an example or a model 2. accepted ideas or practices that are used in order to explain or view a shared reality
paradox: 1. something that sounds untrue or impossible but might be possible or true 2. something that contradicts itself or has opposite qualities
paragon: 1. someone or something that is perfect and is considered a model to be copied or imitated 2. the model of perfection or excellence
parameter: 1. a boundary that limits a specific action or process 2. a rule that controls something
parch: 1. to scorch the surface of something through exposure to light or heat 2. to cause something to become extremely dry 3. to expose certain food products (grains, corn, etc.) to extreme heat in order to roast them
parochial: 1. showing interest only in matters that directly affect you; narrow in scope 2. related to a parish
parody: 1. a work of art such as a text or a play which is created to poke fun at or ridicule another work 2. to poke fun at someone or something
parry: 1. to skillfully avoid dealing with criticism or answering a tough question 2. to deflect or ward off an attack
parsimonious: 1. cheap; frugal with one's money 2. unwilling to spend or give money
partisan: 1. strongly prejudiced in favor of something 2. one-sided or partial 3. someone who is devoted to a political party
pathos: 1. sadness or pity 2. the quality of something, such as a work of art, which arouses emotions such as pity or sadness
paucity: 1. a lack of something 2. scantiness 3. insufficiency in number; shortage
peccadillo: a small mistake, fault, sin, or offense that is not very serious or harmful
pedant: a person who is obsessed with the rules and minor details
pedantic: 1. giving too much importance to formal rules or small details 2. making an excessive display of one's own learning
pedestrian: 1. ordinary; dull 2. commonplace 3. undistinguished
peerless: 1. unequaled or unrivaled 2. incomparable to anything else 3. better than anything else of its type
pejorative: 1. derogatory or disapproving 2. causing something to become worse
pellucid: 1. simple to understand 2. clear, transparent or translucent; allowing the passage of light
pensive: 1. contemplative 2. appearing as if lost in thought, especially about something serious or sad 3. thoughtful
penury: 1. extreme poverty; the state of being extraordinarily poor 2. insufficiency or scarcity
perdition: 1. total destruction; utter ruin 2. eternal damnation 3. a state of eternal punishment
peremptory: 1. someone who is overly assertive, to the point that they do not allow contradiction 2. someone domineering and totalitarian 3. someone who is offensively arrogant
perfidious: deliberately faithless; treacherous; deceitful
perfidy: 1. treachery or unfaithfulness 2. betrayal of trust 3. behavior or an event that shows that someone cannot be trusted 4. deceitfulness
perfunctory: 1. an action performed in a routine and careless manner 2. acting in a way which shows a lack of interest
peripheral: 1. something that is found on the outer edge or boundary 2. trivial or unimportant 3. something that is secondary or supplementary
pernicious: 1. deadly 2. causing extreme harm, destruction or injury
perquisite: 1. any money or other benefit received in addition to one's fixed salary 2. a bonus payment or a tip
personable: 1. attractive both in one's physical appearance and in one's personality 2. friendly or sociable
perspicacious: 1. astute 2. shrewd and clear-sighted 3. quick to notice things and judge them correctly
pertinacious: 1. stubborn or unyielding; resolute in one's belief or opinion 2. determined and persistent 3. obstinate
peruse: 1. to read something thoroughly 2. to examine something in detail 3. to skim something; to read something in a relaxed manner
pervasive: 1. spread all over or spreading to all parts 2. present everywhere 3. permeating; penetrating
petrify: 1. to make something become hard or stone like 2. to freeze with horror or fear 3. to make hard or inflexible
philanthropist: 1. a person who loves mankind and works to promote its wellbeing 2. a person or organization that is generous with its resources, especially with its money
philistine: 1. an uncultured person who does not like or understand art 2. a vulgar person
phlegmatic: not easily upset, excited, or angered to action or display of emotion; apathetic; sluggish
piety: 1. devoutness, love or reverence to God 2. devoutness shown through actions or one's daily life
pillage: 1. to rob using force, especially during wartime 2. to loot
pinnacle: 1. the peak 2. the highest point 3. a tall and pointed formation 4. the most important or successful part of a person's life
pithy: 1. precise and full of meaning 2. succinct; concise, yet meaningful
placate: make (someone) less angry or hostile, especially by making concessions or by being nice to them
placebo: 1. a harmless substance that has no real affect on the person who takes it 2. something designed or done to placate the person who takes or receives it
placid: 1. peaceful and undisturbed 2. serene, with a lack of movement or activity 3. showing calm
plasticity: 1. flexibility or the ability to be shaped or formed into different shapes 2. the capacity to be molded
platitude: 1. a trite, dull or unoriginal saying that is considered common information, despite the remark being said as if it were original information 2. absence of originality
plaudit: 1. applause 2. any sort of expression of praise or approval
plethora: a large or excessive amount of (something), especially a larger amount than you need, want, or can deal with; overabundance; excess
pliable: 1. malleable 2. flexible 3. easy to manipulate into other shapes
plumage: 1. the feathers of a bird (collectively) 2. elaborate costume or dress
plummet: 1. to fall suddenly or drastically 2. to plunge
polemical: 1. controversial and often hostile 2. strongly critical
ponderous: 1. slow and clumsy because of great weight or size 2. very boring or dull 3. that seems heavy; bulky; massive
portend: 1. to foreshadow something negative that is going to occur in the future 2. to be a sign of something
portent: 1. a warning about something that is going to occur in the future 2. an indication or sign that something is going to happen, especially referring to negative events
poseur: 1. a person who pretends to be something that they are not in order to impress others
posthumous: 1. taking place after death 2. published after death
postulate: 1. a prerequisite 2. something which is accepted as true before developing or discussing another idea 3. a basic principle
potable: 1. fit to drink 2. suitable for drinking by humans or animals
prattle: 1. to speak at length about subjects that are unimportant, often without making any sense 2. to speak without sense and in a juvenile manner
preamble: 1. the introduction to a written document or a speech 2. an introductory statement
precede: 1. to exist before something 2. to come before 3. to have a higher rank than someone
precept: 1. a command or rule which indicates what proper behavior is 2. a standard of conduct 3. a warrant
precipice: 1. a very steep side of a mountain or cliff, typically a tall one 2. a dangerous situation that could lead to harm or failure 3. a very dangerous situation
precipitate: 1. cause (something) to happen quickly, suddenly, unexpectedly, or prematurely before expected, warranted, needed, or desired 2. throw headlong; hurl downward 3. fall; fall downward suddenly and dramatically
precipitous: 1. quite steep 2. occurring suddenly or dramatically
preclude: 1. to make something impossible or prevent 2. to deter or impede something from happening
precocious: 1. (especially of children) unusually advanced or mature in development, especially mental development 2. appearing or developing early
precursor: a person or thing that goes before another person or something else and that often leads to or influences its development; forerunner; harbinger
predilection: 1. a personal preference towards something 2. a special liking of something
predominant: 1. the most powerful 2. the most common 3. superior or supreme
preeminent: 1. superior 2. excelling or more important than others 3. outstanding
presentiment: 1. a feeling that a negative or unfortunate event is about to occur or is going to occur in the near future 2. a premonition
presumption: 1. the act of assuming 2. something assumed 3. the act of believing something without seeing proof
pretext: a false reason or motive that you pretend to have in order to hide your real reason or motive for doing something; excuse
prevaricate: 1. stray away from or avoid telling the truth by not directly answering a question 2. speak or act falsely or misleadingly
primeval: 1. primordial 2. related to or from the earliest time, especially when referring to the origin of Earth 3. original
proclivity: 1. an inclination towards something 2. a natural propensity or tendency 3. a predisposition to want to do something, especially when referring to something bad
procrastinate: 1. delay or postpone doing (something unpleasant or burdensome) until a future time, especially out of habitual carelessness or laziness 2. postpone or delay needlessly
procure: 1. obtain something, especially with care, effort, or difficulty 2. obtain (a sexual partner, especially woman) for another, for the purpose of prostitution
prodigious: 1. very great or impressive in size, force, or extent; enormous 2. extraordinary; marvelous; wonderful; amazing
profane: 1. to defile 2. to show a lack of respect for objects considered to be sacred or holy 3. to violate
profuse: 1. created or given in large amounts; generous 2. plentiful 3. given abundantly or magnanimously
prohibitive: 1. something that discourages one from doing something 2. restricting people from doing something
proletarian: 1. a member of the working class
proliferate: 1. to increase or grow at a rapid pace 2. to multiply or reproduce quickly
prolific: 1. producing a large amount of something, especially fruit, offspring or works 2. bountiful, fruitful or productive
promulgate: 1. to put an official decree or law into effect via official announcement 2. to make something publicly known by officially announcing it
propensity: 1. a tendency or natural inclination to behave in a certain way 2. a preference
propitiate: 1. make (a god, spirit, or person) pleased, less angry, or regain their favor by giving or doing something that pleases them 2. appease; conciliate
propitious: 1. likely to result in or show success 2. something advantageous 3. benevolent; favorable
proponent: 1. a person who is actively in favor of something 2. a supporter 3. an advocate
prosaic: lacking in interest, imagination, originality, or excitement; commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative
proscribe: 1. to make something no longer be lawful; to prohibit (legally) 2. to banish 3. to forbid 4. to denounce
protagonist: 1. one of the main characters of a story 2. a leader of a cause or movement
protean: 1. ever changing 2. versatile and able to change form, shape or meaning quickly 3. able to play many roles
provident: 1. making arrangements for the future and showing foresight 2. preparing for the future, especially by saving money for possible emergencies
provocative: 1. provoking or tending to provoke, as to action, thought, feeling, etc.; inciting, stimulating, irritating, or vexing 2. causing people to become sexually excited
prurient: 1. expressing lustful behaviors or ideas 2. overly interested in sex
puerile: 1. childish, juvenile or immature 2. silly; foolish 3. related to or belonging to childhood
pulchritude: 1. physical beauty or attractiveness, especially related to women 2. moral beauty
punctilious: 1. exact in one's attention to detail; extremely correct with one's behavior
pundit: 1. an expert or educated person on a specific subject 2. an authority on a specific subject who often makes public declarations on the subject
purchase: 1. an object that has been bought 2. the act of buying something
purloin: 1. to take something from someone in violation of their trust 2. to pilfer or steal
pusillanimous: lacking courage or determination; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid
pyromania: 1. a compulsive and irresistible want to set things on fire
quaff: 1. to drink or swallow hurriedly and heartily
quagmire: 1. a soft and wet piece of land which yields if stepped on 2. a complicated, dangerous or awkward situation
quandary: 1. a dilemma or a problem 2. a state of uncertainty 3. a state of doubt or confusion
quell: 1. to suppress or stop something, especially through the use of force 2. to pacify or soothe a previously problematic situation
querulous: often complaining, especially in a way that annoys other people
quirk: 1. a peculiarity in one's personal behavior 2. an idiosyncrasy 3. a sharp twist or turn
quixotic: having or showing ideas, plans, hope, etc. that are not practical or likely to succeed; unrealistic and impractical
ramshackle: (especially of buildings or vehicles) in a very bad condition and likely to fall down; out of repair; likely to fall to pieces; shaky
rancor: a bitter and long-lasting angry feeling of hatred or dislike about something in the past
rapport: a friendly relationship, especially of mutual trust, respect, or emotional affinity
raucous: loud, harsh, and disturbing noise
ravenous: 1. extremely or wildly hungry; voracious 2. very eager for prey or gratification
raze: 1. completely destroy a city, building, etc. 2. scrape or shave off; erase
rebuke: 1. to punish or scold someone severely 2. to express disapproval, often in a sharp way 3. to harshly criticize
recalcitrant: 1. (of a person ) stubbornly refusing to obey authority, discipline, rules, orders, etc. 2. (of an animal ) refusing to be controlled
recapitulate: 1. to summarize something or repeat it in a more concise way 2. to briefly restate
receptacle: 1. any container or device for holding substances or objects 2. a vessel used to hold things
reclusive: living alone and avoiding the company of other people, often for religious meditation; solitary
rectify: 1. correct (something that is wrong) or make something right or better 2. correct by calculation or adjustment
rectitude: 1. moral correctness 2. honest behavior 3. righteousness
redolent: 1. sweet-smelling; fragrant; aromatic 2. strongly smelling of 3. (redolent of/with) strongly reminding you of something
redress: 1. compensation or remedy for some wrong that was done against someone; retribution 2. rectification
refurbish: 1. to restore something to its original quality 2. to renovate 3. to make something look like new again
refute: 1. to prove that something is not correct or true 2. to deny something
regale: 1. to entertain someone with food or drink; to feast 2. to entertain someone with a story or something amusing
regime: 1. a government that is currently in power 2. a system of rules 3. a political system 4. a management system
regulate: 1. to create and impose rules for something 2. to adjust to ensure accuracy 3. to control; to manage
reinforce: 1. to make something stronger 2. to enhance something 3. to support an idea by giving evidence or reasons
relegate: 1. put (someone or something) into a lower or less important rank or position 2. refer, commit, or hand over for decision, action, etc. 3. (UK) moved down to a lower division
reliance: 1. a dependence on a specific person or object 2. the act of depending on someone or something
renown: 1. celebrity or great fame 2. the state of being famous or honored
replete: 1. completely stuffed; full, especially referring to food 2. well supplied
reprimand: a severe, formal, or official rebuke, disapproval, or censure
reprobate: 1. someone who has bad habits or lacks scruples 2. a person without principles
reproof: the act of reproving, censuring, blaming, or rebuking
reprove: 1. to find fault with 2. to condemn, criticize or express disapproval of bad behavior 3. to rebuke
repudiate: 1. refuse to accept or reject with denial 2. disown
repugnant: extremely unpleasant, distasteful, objectionable, or offensive; arousing disgust or aversion
resonant: 1. prompting thoughts of a similar experience 2. loud, clear, or deep 3. enduring 4. echoing
respite: 1. a short break or delay from work or an unpleasant experience 2. a postponement of punishment
resplendent: 1. brilliant; dazzling; bright; shiny 2. beautiful 3. impressive
restive: 1. impatient and restless 2. not willing to be controlled 3. difficult to control, usually due to dissatisfaction or boredom
reticent: 1. not willing to tell people about one's thoughts, feelings, and personal affairs 2. uncommunicative, restrained, or reserved in style 3. reluctant; unwilling
reverence: a feeling or attitude of deep respect, admiration, love, and awe for someone or something
reverent: feeling, showing, or characterized by great respect and admiration; deeply respectful
ribald: 1. vulgar or indecent 2. rude or lewd, but in a humorous way
rife: 1. prevalent or abundant 2. widespread; common 3. full of (something)
rigor: 1. strictness, harshness, or severity 2. exactitude 3. inflexibility
robust: 1. healthy 2. hardy or strong 3. sturdy and able to withstand detrimental conditions 4. successful
ruminate: 1. to think about something carefully over a long period of time 2. to meditate on 3. to chew on cud
sacrosanct: 1. something that is considered to be sacred 2. something considered far too important to be subjected to changes
sagacious: having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense and the ability to make good practical decisions
sagacity: the quality of being discerning, sound in judgment, and farsighted based on practical knowledge and experience
salacious: 1. lustful or obscene 2. containing sexual content
salient: 1. of utmost importance; prominent; notable 2. protruding beyond a line or surface 3. jumping
salubrious: 1. healthy 2. wholesome 3. beneficial to one's health
salutary: 1. beneficial 2. favorable to one's health 3. bringing about good effects or improvement
sanction: 1. official permission or approval, as for an action 2. a threat to punish someone for breaking a law or rule 3. an official order, such as the limiting or stopping of trade, that is taken against a country in order to force it to obey international laws
sanctity: 1. the state or quality of being holy, sacred, or saintly 2. the quality of being very important, valuable, and deserving respect
sanguine: cheerfully optimistic, hopeful, or confident, especially in a difficult situation
sardonic: 1. demonstrating a lack of respect for another person or what they have said or done 2. mocking 3. sneering 4. cynical
sate: satisfy (an appetite, desire, etc.) fully
satiate: 1. satisfy (an appetite or desire) fully so that you could not have any more 2. having had enough or more than enough
satire: the use of humor, irony, exaggeration, or ridicule to expose and criticize someone or something and make them seem foolish, weak, bad, etc.
saturate: 1. make something completely wet with water or other liquid so that no more can be absorbed 2. cause (a substance) to combine with, dissolve, or hold the greatest possible amount of another substance
saturnine: very serious and unhappy; gloomy; taciturn
savant: a person with a high level of knowledge or skill, especially a distinguished scientist
scrupulous: 1. very careful about doing something correctly, giving a lot of attention to details 2. careful about doing what is honest and morally right
scrutinize: examine or inspect (something) closely, thoroughly, and very carefully
scurrilous: 1. fond of using coarse or indecent language 2. foul mouthed or obscene 3. slanderous
scuttle: 1. to move across a surface hurriedly with short steps 2. to scurry
sedulous: showing continued hard work, effort, dedication, and determination
seminary: 1. an institution of higher education where people train to be religious leaders, such as preachers, priests or rabbis 2. an institution of higher education for girls
sequester: 1. to take someone's property until they have paid their debts or complied with an order 2. to seclude or segregate 3. to hide something away
serendipity: 1. the fact of finding interesting or valuable things by chance; unexpected and fortunate discoveries 2. accidental good fortune or luck
serrated: 1. possessing a row of tooth-like sharp points along its edge 2. saw-like
servile: 1. too eager to serve, please, or obey others 2. of a slave or slaves
simile: (the use of) a phrase that describes something by comparing it to something else, always including the words 'as' or 'like'
simulate: 1. to reproduce a situation 2. to feign 3. to do something that looks as if it is real when it truly is not
skeptical: 1. having, showing or marked by doubt 2. doubting 3. questioning
skirmish: 1. a short or small battle 2. a minor fight in a much larger conflict 3. a squabble or a short argument
slipshod: 1. (especially of a piece of work) showing a lack of care, thought, or organization 2. careless in dress, manners, style, etc.; untidy or slovenly; shabby
sluggard: 1. a person who is habitually lazy 2. a slothful person 3. an idler
smelt: 1. to get metal from its ore by heating it
solicit: 1. to ask for something, often through a formal process 2. to petition
solicitous: 1. showing care, attention, or concern about someone's health, feelings, safety, etc. 2. showing anxious desire; eager
somber: 1. very sad and serious; gloomy; depressing or grave 2. dull or dark in color, especially grey or black
somnambulist: 1. a person who walks around while they are asleep 2. a sleepwalker
somnolent: 1. drowsy or sleepy 2. inducing sleep or sleepiness 3. causing sluggishness
sophistry: the clever use of reasoning or arguments that seem true but are really false, especially with the intention of deceiving
sophomoric: 1. immature yet overly confident in one's abilities 2. puerile 3. pretentious and juvenile
soporific: 1. causing sleep 2. drowsy
sparse: 1. not dense or thick 2. small in amount and not dense or crowded 3. scanty
Spartan: avoiding luxury and comfort; rigorously self-disciplined or self-restrained
specious: seeming to be right or true, but in fact wrong or false
sporadic: 1. occurring at irregular intervals; not constant or regular; patternless 2. appearing singly or at widely scattered localities, as a plant or disease
spurious: 1. not genuine, authentic, or true; counterfeit 2. based on false ideas or bad reasoning
spurn: refuse or reject with contempt or disdain, especially because you feel that something or someone does not deserve your respect, attention, affection, etc.
squander: spend or use (money, time, supplies, or an opportunity) wastefully or extravagantly
stagnant: 1. (of water or air ) not flowing or moving, and often smells bad 2. not active, changing, or progressing
staid: of a settled, unadventurous, sedate, and steady but boring character
stanza: 1. a part of a poem that is presented in paragraph form
static: not moving, acting, or progressing, especially in an undesirable or uninteresting way
statistics: 1. a field of study that collects and analyzes data 2. the data collected and what it means
stoic: 1. not showing emotion or complaining, even when something bad happens 2. unemotional 3. indifferent to pleasure and pain
stoke: 1. to supply something with fuel, especially a furnace 2. to make a feeling stronger 3. to add fuel to a fire
stolid: 1. expressing little to no emotion 2. unexcitable or impassive 3. dull (referring to things)
stratagem: 1. a military plan designed to surprise or trick the enemy 2. a clever and deceptive scheme for achieving a specific goal
strident: 1. (of a sound) loud, unpleasant, and rough 2. presenting a point of view, especially a controversial one, in a way that offends some people
stringent: 1. strict, rigid 2. binding 3. constraining 4. extremely limiting
stupefy: 1. make (someone) confused or unable to think or feel properly 2. shock or surprise (someone) very much; amaze; astonish
submissive: inclined, ready, or willing to obey someone else without arguing, resistance, etc.; docile; yielding
subordinate: 1. from a lower rank or position 2. inferior 3. less important
subservient: 1. very willing or too willing to obey others unquestioningly 2. considered less important than something or someone else; subordinate
subsidiary: 1. secondary 2. used to supplement something or someone 3. auxiliary
subsidy: 1. money that a government gives a group to help it 2. financial assistance
substantiate: 1. support with proof or evidence 2. give concrete form or body to; convert into substance; embody 3. give substance to; make real or actual
subterfuge: 1. a plan or device used to conceal or hide something 2. a trick or dishonest way of doing something
subversive: trying to overthrow, destroy, or damage an established system or institution by persons working secretly from within, especially an established government or political system
succinct: 1. concise and clearly expressed 2. expressed in a short and easy to understand way
succulent: 1. (of food) tender, juicy, and tasty 2. (of a plant) having thick, fleshy, water-storing leaves or stems 3. full of interest, vigor, etc.; not dry or dull
suffragist: 1. a person who fights in favor of granting voting rights to people who do not have them, especially women
supercilious: behaving or looking as though you are better or more important than everyone else, and that their opinions, beliefs, or ideas are not important
superficial: 1. being at, on, or near the surface 2. shallow; not profound or thorough
superfluous: being more than is needed, useful, or wanted; surplus; excessive
supplant: remove or uproot (someone or something that is old or no longer used or accepted) in order to replace with (more powerful) someone or something else
supplement: 1. to add to something, especially in order to make up for a deficiency 2. an addition 3. something added to make something complete
surfeit: 1. an excessive or too large amount or supply of something 2. overeat or feed to excess 3. disgust caused by excess
surly: 1. rude or threatening 2. hostile 3. unfriendly 4. dismal or menacing (related to weather) 5. bad tempered
surmise: 1. to draw a conclusion or guess, usually with little to no proof or evidence 2. to conjecture
surreptitious: 1. obtained, done, or made in a secret, stealthy way, especially because it would not be approved of; clandestine; secret or unauthorized 2. acting in a secret, stealthy way
sybarite: 1. a person who is quite fond of luxury and pleasure
sycophant: a self-seeking person who attempts to win favor by flattering rich or influential people
tacit: 1. expressed or understood without being directly said or expressed; implied 2. unspoken; silent
taciturn: tending not to speak much; not liking to talk; uncommunicative
tactile: 1. tangible 2. related to the sense of touch 3. perceptible or detectable through touch
tangential: 1. slightly or indirectly related to what you are doing, discussing, or thinking about; not closely connected to something 2. merely touching; slightly connected; peripheral
tantamount: 1. of an equal amount of value, force, etc. 2. having an equal effect as something 3. equivalent to
tardy: 1. late 2. slow to perform a task or do something 3. delayed
tedium: 1. boredom 2. tediousness 3. the state of being boring over an extended period of time
teem: 1. be full of things; abound or swarm; move in large numbers 2. be present in large quantity
temerity: 1. recklessness or disregard for danger or consequences 2. foolish boldness 3. audacity
temperate: 1. emotionally calm and controlled 2. not extreme in behavior or language 3. (of weather conditions) neither very hot nor very cold
temporize: act evasively in order to gain time, avoid argument, or postpone a decision
tenacious: 1. holding firmly 2. that clings; adhesive; sticky 3. holding together firmly; cohesive 4. very determined to do something; persistent; stubborn
tenuous: 1. thin, weak, and easily broken; not certain, definite, or strong 2. very thin or slender in form, as a thread; insubstantial
terse: 1. short or curt, often in a way that is interpreted as unfriendly 2. concise and to the point
therapeutic: 1. possessing curative powers 2. used to make someone healthier or happier 3. producing a positive effect on the body or mind
thwart: 1. to prevent something from happening 2. to hinder, frustrate or foil
timorous: 1. lacking confidence or nervous 2. showing fear 3. demonstrating timidness
titter: 1. to giggle 2. to laugh softly and in a nervous manner
toady: a person who praises and pretends to like a rich or important person, usually in order to get some advantage from them; sycophant; yes man
torpid: 1. dormant or acting in a slow way due to laziness or sleepiness 2. deprived of all power 3. dull
torpor: a state of not being active and having no or very little energy or enthusiasm
tortuous: 1. full of twists, turns, or bends 2. complicated, long, and confusing
totter: 1. to walk or move in an unsteady way, as if one were about to fall 2. to stagger 3. to sway or rock
tractable: 1. (of a person) easily managed, taught, or controlled 2. (of a situation or problem) easy to deal with
tranquil: 1. calm 2. relaxed 3. free from disturbances 4. quiet
transcribe: 1. to write something down 2. to make an exact written copy of 3. to put something into writing
transgress: 1. to surpass the limits of what is considered by society to be acceptable 2. to sin 3. to go beyond
transient: existing, happening, or staying somewhere for only a short time; temporary
transmute: 1. to transform 2. to convert from one form or state into another 3. to cause something to convert into something else
traverse: 1. to move across or through 2. to cross 3. to extend across
treatise: a formal, usually lengthy, book or piece of writing about a particular subject
trenchant: 1. clear-cut 2. forceful, vigorous, or severe especially when referring to one's arguments or ideas
trepidation: a feeling of fear or worry about what is going to happen because you think something bad or unpleasant is going to happen
trinket: 1. a small object or piece of jewelry that is of no great value 2. a small object
truculent: easily annoyed or angered and always ready, eager or quick to argue or fight
truncate: 1. to make something shorter by cutting off one of its ends
turgid: 1. pompous or too serious; grandiloquent 2. swollen or bloated
turpitude: depraved, shameful, dishonest, or immoral behavior or character
tyro: 1. a person who has just started learning or doing something 2. a beginner or novice
ubiquitous: present, or seeming to be present everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresent
unalloyed: 1. pure 2. perfect 3. not mixed 4. not alloyed
uncanny: strange or mysterious, especially in a way that is difficult or impossible to explain or understand
uncouth: 1. behaving in a rude, unpleasant, or offensive way 2. not polite or socially acceptable
unctuous: 1. oily or greasy 2. overly friendly or interested behavior that is often clearly insincere
underscore: 1. to emphasize or stress something 2. to draw a line under a word or words 3. to stress
unfetter: 1. to release; to liberate 2. to free from restraint of any type
unfrock: 1. to remove someone's religious status; to take someone's status as a religious leader away from them
ungainly: (of a person or movement) awkward; clumsy; not moving in an attractive or graceful way
unruly: difficult or impossible to discipline, control, or rule
unwitting: 1. (of a person) not aware of the full facts; not knowing; unaware; ignorant 2. without knowing or planning; unintentional
upbraid: 1. to harshly criticize or scold 2. to strongly reproach someone for their behavior
uproarious: 1. loud and noisy 2. marked by loud and unstructured noise 3. provoking much laughter; highly funny
urbane: (of a person, especially a man) polite, courteous, and confident in a smooth, polished way
usurp: seize and hold (power, a position, property, rights, etc.) by force or without legal right
utilitarian: 1. useful; practical; not for show 2. capable of being used 3. created with its utility, not its beauty, in mind
utopian: 1. modeled on or related to the idea of a perfect society 2. visionary 3. impractical
vacillate: 1. to change opinions or show indecision 2. to sway or stagger in an unsteady manner 3. to oscillate
vacuous: 1. having or showing a lack of intelligence, interest, purpose, or thought 2. without contents, meaning, importance, or substance; empty
vagrant: 1. a homeless person that does not have a job; a rover 2. a bird that is no longer on its proper migratory route
vanquish: completely defeat in a contest, conflict, or competition
vapid: 1. showing no intelligence or imagination, and therefore very boring 2. lifeless, dull, or boring 3. lacking taste or flavor
variegated: 1. marked with different and varied colors, stripes, spots or other markings 2. diversified or varied
vehement: 1. powerful 2. forceful 3. intense; impassioned 4. expressing strong feelings and great energy
venal: 1. dishonest and ready to do dishonest things in return for money; open to bribery 2. for sale, available for a price, as by a bribe
veneer: 1. a thin coating 2. a decorative coating or facade 3. a polite but insincere way of behaving
venerable: deserving respect, especially because of age, wisdom, character, long use, etc.
venerate: regard or treat (someone or something ) with great respect
venial: 1. trivial 2. easily forgiven 3. minor
veracity: 1. honesty, accuracy, truthfulness 2. habitual or constant truthfulness
verbose: using or containing more words than are necessary, and therefore long and boring
verdant: 1. covered in green, often referring to vegetation 2. inexperienced
vertigo: 1. a dizzy sensation 2. a loss of balance or dizziness which is often caused by being up high 3. a dizzy or confused state of mind
vicarious: 1. living an experience through another person's description instead of doing the action oneself 2. suffered by one person in place of another, especially referring to punishment
vicissitude: 1. changes that occur throughout one's life, often making things worse; the ups and downs of life 2. mutability or the natural process of change 3. alternation between opposite things
vignette: 1. a short story 2. a small decorative design found at the start or end of a chapter in a book 3. a small image or drawing which fades into its background
vilify: 1. to slander or spread negative information about 2. to use negative language about someone
vindicate: 1. clear from criticism, blame, guilt, suspicion, etc. with supporting arguments or proof 2. defend or maintain (a cause, claim, etc.) against opposition
virtuoso: a person who has special knowledge or skill in in some fine art, especially playing a musical instrument
virulent: 1. (of a disease or poison) extremely infectious, malignant, or poisonous; deadly 2. (of a pathogen, especially a virus) highly infective 3. bitterly hostile or antagonistic; full of hate and violent opposition
viscous: (of liquids) thick and sticky and does not flow easily
vitriolic: 1. cruel and hateful language 2. marked by notable criticism or sarcasm
vociferous: 1. highly opinionated and loud about one's beliefs 2. clamorous or offensively loud
voluble: 1. talkative; speaking with enthusiasm 2. fluent 3. expressed in many words 4. garrulous
voluminous: 1. large in volume 2. bulky 3. great in extent 4. long and detailed; enough to fill volumes (writing)
voracious: 1. consuming or eager to consume very large amounts of food 2. very eager in some desire, activity or pursuit
wane: 1. to decline in power 2. to lose strength or intensity 3. to approach the end 4. to ebb or dwindle
wanton: 1. a cruel, malicious or violent action done, shown, used deliberately, unprovokedly and unjustifiably 2. careless; reckless
waver: 1. be undecided between two opinions, possibilities, or courses of action or you keep choosing one way and then the other 2. become unsteady because of weakness, emotion, tiredness, etc.
waylay: 1. to wait to ambush 2. to stop someone who is going somewhere in order to talk to them or to harm them 3. to intercept or interrupt someone
whelp: 1. the babies or young of an animal like a wolf, seal, lion, bear, etc. 2. a puppy or cub
whet: 1. to stimulate or increase someone's interest in something 2. to sharpen
whimsical: 1. strange and unusual in a way that is considered to be amusing or interesting 2. capricious 3. unpredictable and erratic
wily: 1. cunning 2. capable of deceiving others in order to get what you want 3. clever; sly
winsome: 1. charming and pleasing, often in an innocent or child-like way 2. attractive
wispy: 1. quite thin or frail 2. not clear or distinct 3. a small quantity of something
zealot: 1. a fanatically committed person who is uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals 2. an excessively zealous person; fanatic
zenith: 1. the point in the sky that's directly over one's head 2. the highest point or peak