Hard Words with Meaning and Sentence
200 Difficult Words - Group 1
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Hard Words with Meaning and Sentence (1)
Hard Words with Meaning and Sentence (Group 1)
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abjure
abrogate
acumen
adumbrate
alacrity
anathema
antipathy
approbation
arrogate
ascetic
assiduous
boon
brusque
burnish
buttress
cajole
calumny
capricious
clemency
cogent
concomitant
conflagration
conundrum
credulity
cupidity
cursory
decry
defile
deleterious
demure
deprecate
deride
desecrate
discursive
dissemble
ebullient
effrontery
egregious
enervate
ephemeral
eschew
evanescent
evince
exculpate
execrable
expiate
expunge
extant
extol
fallacious
fastidious
fatuous
feral
fetid
florid
fractious
garrulous
gregarious
hackneyed
hapless
harangue
hegemony
impassive
imperious
impertinent
impervious
impetuous
impinge
implacable
inchoate
incontrovertible
indefatigable
ineffable
inexorable
ingenuous
inimical
iniquity
insidious
inure
invective
inveterate
jubilant
juxtaposition
laconic
languid
largess
latent
legerdemain
licentious
limpid
maelstrom
magnanimous
malediction
malevolent
manifold
maudlin
mawkish
mendacious
mercurial
modicum
multifarious
myriad
nadir
nascent
nefarious
neophyte
Word and Definition List
abjure 
/æb'dʒʊə(r)/ v. Syn. renounce; abandon
renounce upon oath; abandon forever
He will abjure his allegiance to the king.
Show examples and contexts renounce upon oath; abandon forever
He will abjure his allegiance to the king.
abrogate
/'æbroʊgeɪt/ a. Syn. abolish
abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority
He intended to abrogate the decree issued by his predecessor.
Show examples and contexts abolish, do away with, or annul, especially by authority
He intended to abrogate the decree issued by his predecessor.
acumen
/'ækjʊmɛn, ə'kju:mɛn/ n. Syn. acuteness; insight
mental keenness; quickness of perception
However, her team's political acumen is clearly beyond mine, an Ivy League Medical Science Professor and NOT a Political "Science" Professor.
Show examples and contexts mental keenness; quickness of perception
However, her team's political acumen is clearly beyond mine, an Ivy League Medical Science Professor and NOT a Political "Science" Professor.
adumbrate
/'ædʌmbreɪt/ v. Syn. overshadow; shade
give hint or indication of something; disclose partially or guardedly; overshadow; shade
Her constant complaining about the job would adumbrate her intent to leave.
Show examples and contexts give hint or indication of something; disclose partially or guardedly; overshadow; shade
Her constant complaining about the job would adumbrate her intent to leave.
alacrity
/ə'lækrɪtɪ/ n.
cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness
Phil and Dave were raring to get off to the mountains; they packed up their ski gear and climbed into the van with alacrity.
Show examples and contexts cheerful promptness or willingness; eagerness; speed or quickness
Phil and Dave were raring to get off to the mountains; they packed up their ski gear and climbed into the van with alacrity.
anathema
/ə'næθəmə/ n.
solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse
To the Ayatolla, America and the West were anathema; he loathed the democratic nations, cursing them in his dying words.
Show examples and contexts solemn curse; someone or something regarded as a curse
To the Ayatolla, America and the West were anathema; he loathed the democratic nations, cursing them in his dying words.
antipathy
/æn'tɪpəθɪ/ n. Syn. aversion; dislike
strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Tom's extreme antipathy for disputes keeps him from getting into arguments with his temperamental wife.
Show examples and contexts strong feeling of aversion; dislike
Tom's extreme antipathy for disputes keeps him from getting into arguments with his temperamental wife.
approbation
/æprə'beɪʃ(ə)n/ n. Syn. approval
expression of warm approval; praise
She looked for some sign of approbation from her parents, hoping her good grades would please them.
Show examples and contexts expression of warm approval; praise
She looked for some sign of approbation from her parents, hoping her good grades would please them.
arrogate
/'æroʊgeɪt/ v.
claim without justification; claim for oneself without right
Lynn watch in astonishments as her coworkers arrogate the credit for her brilliant work in the project.
Show examples and contexts claim without justification; claim for oneself without right
Lynn watch in astonishments as her coworkers arrogate the credit for her brilliant work in the project.
ascetic
/ə'sɛtɪk/ a. Syn. austere; severe
leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
The wealthy, self-indulgent young man felt oddly drawn to the strict, ascetic life led by members of some monastic orders.
Show examples and contexts leading a life of self-discipline and self-denial; austere
The wealthy, self-indulgent young man felt oddly drawn to the strict, ascetic life led by members of some monastic orders.
assiduous
/ə'sɪdjʊəs/;/ə'sɪdʒʊəs/ a. Syn. diligent; persistent
constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
He was assiduous, working at this task for weeks before he felt satisfied with his results.
Show examples and contexts constant in application or attention; diligent; unceasing or persistent
He was assiduous, working at this task for weeks before he felt satisfied with his results.
boon
/bu:n/ n. Syn. blessing; benefit
blessing; benefit bestowed, especially in response to a request
The recent rains that filled our empty reservoirs were a boon to the whole community.
Show examples and contexts blessing; benefit bestowed, especially in response to a request
The recent rains that filled our empty reservoirs were a boon to the whole community.
brusque
/brʊsk/;/brʌsk/ a. Syn. blunt; abrupt
abrupt and curt in manner or speech; rudely abrupt, unfriendly
Was Bruce too brusque when he brushed off Bob's request with a curt "Not now!"?
Show examples and contexts abrupt and curt in manner or speech; rudely abrupt, unfriendly
Was Bruce too brusque when he brushed off Bob's request with a curt "Not now!"?
burnish
/'bɜrnɪʃ/ v. Syn. polish
make shiny by rubbing; polish
I burnish the brass fixtures until they reflect the lamplight.
Show examples and contexts make shiny by rubbing; polish
I burnish the brass fixtures until they reflect the lamplight.
buttress
/'bʌtrɪs/ v. Syn. support
support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
The attorney came up with several far-fetched arguments in a vain attempt to buttress his weak case.
Show examples and contexts support physically; prop up; support something or someone by supplying evidence
The attorney came up with several far-fetched arguments in a vain attempt to buttress his weak case.
cajole
/kə'dʒoʊl/ v.
influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering
Diane tried to cajole her father into letting her drive the family car.
Show examples and contexts influence or urge by gentle urging or flattering
Diane tried to cajole her father into letting her drive the family car.
calumny
/'kæləmnɪ/ n. Syn. slander
false statement maliciously made to injure another's reputation; slander
He could endure his financial failure, but he could not bear the calumny that his foes heaped upon him.
Show examples and contexts false statement maliciously made to injure another's reputation; slander
He could endure his financial failure, but he could not bear the calumny that his foes heaped upon him.
capricious
/kə'prɪʃəs/ a. Syn. unpredictable; fickle; arbitrary
fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly
The storm was capricious: it changed course constantly.
Show examples and contexts fickle; impulsive and unpredictable; apt to change opinions suddenly
The storm was capricious: it changed course constantly.
clemency
/'klɛmənsɪ/ n.
mildness, as of the weather; merciful, kind, or lenient act
The lawyer was pleased when the case was sent to Judge Smith's chambers because Smith was noted for her clemency toward first offenders.
Show examples and contexts mildness, as of the weather; merciful, kind, or lenient act
The lawyer was pleased when the case was sent to Judge Smith's chambers because Smith was noted for her clemency toward first offenders.
cogent
/'koʊdʒənt/ a. Syn. convincing
reasonable and convincing; based on evidence; forcefully persuasive
It was inevitable that David chose to go to Harvard: he had several cogent reasons for doing so, including a full-tuition scholarship.
Show examples and contexts reasonable and convincing; based on evidence; forcefully persuasive
It was inevitable that David chose to go to Harvard: he had several cogent reasons for doing so, including a full-tuition scholarship.
concomitant
/kən'kɒmɪtənt/ a. Syn. accompanying
in conjunction with; accompanying; associated with
These two-sided attributes are known as concomitant characteristics.
Show examples and contexts in conjunction with; accompanying; associated with
These two-sided attributes are known as concomitant characteristics.
conflagration
/kɒnflə'greɪʃ(ə)n/ a.
large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
After the conflagration had finally died down, the city center was nothing but a mass of blackened embers.
Show examples and contexts large destructive fire; burning; large-scale military conflict
After the conflagration had finally died down, the city center was nothing but a mass of blackened embers.
conundrum
/kə'nʌndrəm/ n. Syn. riddle
riddle; difficult problem; dilemma
For this reason, the best way out of this conundrum is a political compromise.
Show examples and contexts riddle; difficult problem; dilemma
For this reason, the best way out of this conundrum is a political compromise.
credulity
/krɪ'dju:lɪtɪ/;/krɪ'du:lɪtɪ/ n.
readiness of belief; disposition to believe on slight evidence
The rascal lives on the credulity of the people.
Show examples and contexts readiness of belief; disposition to believe on slight evidence
The rascal lives on the credulity of the people.
cupidity
/kju:'pɪdɪtɪ/ n. Syn. greed
greed; excessive desire, especially for wealth
The defeated people could not satisfy the cupidity of the conquerors, who demanded excessive tribute.
Show examples and contexts greed; excessive desire, especially for wealth
The defeated people could not satisfy the cupidity of the conquerors, who demanded excessive tribute.
cursory
/'kɜrsərɪ/ a. Syn. casual
casual; brief or broad; not cautious, nor detailed
Because a cursory examination of the ruins indicates the possibility of arson, we believe the insurance agency should undertake a more extensive investigation of the fire's cause.
Show examples and contexts casual; brief or broad; not cautious, nor detailed
Because a cursory examination of the ruins indicates the possibility of arson, we believe the insurance agency should undertake a more extensive investigation of the fire's cause.
decry
/dɪ'kraɪ/ v. Syn. disparage
express strong disapproval of; disparage
The founder of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman, would strongly decry the lack of financial and moral support for children in America today.
Show examples and contexts express strong disapproval of; disparage
The founder of the Children's Defense Fund, Marian Wright Edelman, would strongly decry the lack of financial and moral support for children in America today.
defile
/di:'faɪl/ v. Syn. pollute
pollute; make dirty or spotty
The hoodlums defile the church with their scurrilous writing.
Show examples and contexts pollute; make dirty or spotty
The hoodlums defile the church with their scurrilous writing.
deleterious
/dɛlɪ'tɪərɪəs/ a. Syn. harmful
having harmful effect; injurious; having quality of destroying life; noxious; poisonous
If you believe that smoking is deleterious to your health, then quit!.
Show examples and contexts having harmful effect; injurious; having quality of destroying life; noxious; poisonous
If you believe that smoking is deleterious to your health, then quit!.
demure
/dɪ'mjʊə(r)/ a. Syn. grave; serious
modest and reserved in manner or behavior
She was demure and reserved, a nice modest girl whom any young man would be proud to take home to his mother.
Show examples and contexts modest and reserved in manner or behavior
She was demure and reserved, a nice modest girl whom any young man would be proud to take home to his mother.
deprecate
/'dɛprɪkeɪt/ v. Syn. belittle
express disapproval of; protest against; belittle
A firm believer in old-fashioned courtesy, Miss Post must deprecate the modern tendency to address new acquaintances by their first names.
Show examples and contexts express disapproval of; protest against; belittle
A firm believer in old-fashioned courtesy, Miss Post must deprecate the modern tendency to address new acquaintances by their first names.
deride
/dɪ'raɪd/ v. Syn. ridicule
ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
The critics deride his pretentious dialogue and refused to consider his play seriously.
Show examples and contexts ridicule; make fun of; laugh at with contempt
The critics deride his pretentious dialogue and refused to consider his play seriously.
desecrate
/'dɛsɪkreɪt/ v.
violate with violence, especially to sacred place
Shattering the altar and trampling the holy objects underfoot, the invaders desecrate the sanctuary.
Show examples and contexts violate with violence, especially to sacred place
Shattering the altar and trampling the holy objects underfoot, the invaders desecrate the sanctuary.
discursive
/dɪ'skɜrsɪv/ a.
tending to depart from main point or cover a wide range of subjects
As the lecturer wandered from topic to topic, we wondered what if any point there was to his discursive remarks.
Show examples and contexts tending to depart from main point or cover a wide range of subjects
As the lecturer wandered from topic to topic, we wondered what if any point there was to his discursive remarks.
dissemble
/dɪ'sɛmb(ə)l/ v. Syn. disguise; pretend
disguise or conceal behind a false appearance; make a false show of
Even though John tried to dissemble his motive for taking modern dance, we all knew he was there not to dance but to meet girls.
Show examples and contexts disguise or conceal behind a false appearance; make a false show of
Even though John tried to dissemble his motive for taking modern dance, we all knew he was there not to dance but to meet girls.
ebullient
/ɪ'bʌlɪənt/ a.
showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
Amy's ebullient nature could not be repressed; she' was always bubbling over with excitement.
Show examples and contexts showing excitement; overflowing with enthusiasm
Amy's ebullient nature could not be repressed; she' was always bubbling over with excitement.
effrontery
/ɛ'frʌntərɪ/ n.
shameless or brazen boldness; insolent and shameless audacity
She had the effrontery to insult the guest.
Show examples and contexts shameless or brazen boldness; insolent and shameless audacity
She had the effrontery to insult the guest.
egregious
/ɪ'gri:dʒəs/ a. Syn. notorious
notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
She was an egregious liar; we all knew better than to believe a word she said.
Show examples and contexts notorious; conspicuously bad or shocking
She was an egregious liar; we all knew better than to believe a word she said.
enervate
/'ɛnəveɪt/ v. Syn. weaken
weaken or destroy strength or vitality of; remove a nerve or part of a nerve
She was slow to recover from her illness; even a short walk to the window would enervate her.
Show examples and contexts weaken or destroy strength or vitality of; remove a nerve or part of a nerve
She was slow to recover from her illness; even a short walk to the window would enervate her.
ephemeral
/ɪ'fɛmərəl/ a.
short-lived; enduring a very short time
The mayfly is an ephemeral creature: its adult life lasts little more than a day.
Show examples and contexts short-lived; enduring a very short time
The mayfly is an ephemeral creature: its adult life lasts little more than a day.
eschew
/ɪs'tʃu:/ v. Syn. avoid; escape
avoid; refuse to use or participate in; stand aloof from
Hoping to present himself to his girlfriend as a totally reformed character, he tried to eschew all the vices, especially chewing tobacco and drinking bathtub gin.
Show examples and contexts avoid; refuse to use or participate in; stand aloof from
Hoping to present himself to his girlfriend as a totally reformed character, he tried to eschew all the vices, especially chewing tobacco and drinking bathtub gin.
evanescent
/i:və'nɛs(ə)nt/;/ɛv-/ a. Syn. fleeting; vanishing
fleeting; vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor
Brandon's satisfaction in his new job was evanescent, for he immediately began to notice its many drawbacks.
Show examples and contexts fleeting; vanishing or likely to vanish like vapor
Brandon's satisfaction in his new job was evanescent, for he immediately began to notice its many drawbacks.
evince
/ɪ'vɪns/ v. Syn. manifest
show or demonstrate clearly; overcome; conquer
When he tried to answer the questions, I heard he evince his ignorance of the subject matter.
Show examples and contexts show or demonstrate clearly; overcome; conquer
When he tried to answer the questions, I heard he evince his ignorance of the subject matter.
exculpate
/'ɛkskʌlpeɪt/ v.
pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
The court will exculpate him of the crime after the real criminal confesses.
Show examples and contexts pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
The court will exculpate him of the crime after the real criminal confesses.
execrable
/'ɛksɪkrəb(ə)l/ a.
very bad; extremely inferiorl; intolerable; very hateful
The anecdote was in such execrable taste that it revolted the audience.
Show examples and contexts very bad; extremely inferiorl; intolerable; very hateful
The anecdote was in such execrable taste that it revolted the audience.
expiate
/'ɛkspɪeɪt/ v. Syn. atone
make amends or pay the penalty for; relieve or cleanse of guilt
He tried to expiate his crimes by a full confession to the authorities.
Show examples and contexts make amends or pay the penalty for; relieve or cleanse of guilt
He tried to expiate his crimes by a full confession to the authorities.
expunge
/ɛk'spʌndʒ/ v. Syn. cancel; remove
cancel; remove; erase or strike out
If you behave, I will expunge this notation from your record.
Show examples and contexts cancel; remove; erase or strike out
If you behave, I will expunge this notation from your record.
extant
/ɛk'stænt/ a.
still in existence; not destroyed, lost, or extinct
Although the book is out of print, some copies are still extant. Unfortunately, all of them are in libraries or private collections; none are for sale.
Show examples and contexts still in existence; not destroyed, lost, or extinct
Although the book is out of print, some copies are still extant. Unfortunately, all of them are in libraries or private collections; none are for sale.
extol
/ɪk'stɔl/ v. Syn. praise; glorify
praise highly; glorify; celebrate
In his speech, the president will extol the astronauts, calling them the pioneers of the Space Age.
Show examples and contexts praise highly; glorify; celebrate
In his speech, the president will extol the astronauts, calling them the pioneers of the Space Age.
fallacious
/fə'leɪʃəs/ a. Syn. false; deceptive
false; tending to mislead; deceptive
Paradoxically, fallacious reasoning does not always yield erroneous results: even though your logic may be faulty, the answer you get may nevertheless be correct.
Show examples and contexts false; tending to mislead; deceptive
Paradoxically, fallacious reasoning does not always yield erroneous results: even though your logic may be faulty, the answer you get may nevertheless be correct.
fastidious
/fæ'stɪdɪəs/ a.
difficult to please; having complicated requirements; excessively particular demanding about details
Bobby was such a fastidious eater that he would eat a sandwich only if his mother first cut off every scrap of crust.
Show examples and contexts difficult to please; having complicated requirements; excessively particular demanding about details
Bobby was such a fastidious eater that he would eat a sandwich only if his mother first cut off every scrap of crust.
fatuous
/'fætjʊəs/ a. Syn. foolish
foolish or silly, especially in self-satisfied way
He is far too intelligent to utter such fatuous remarks.
Show examples and contexts foolish or silly, especially in self-satisfied way
He is far too intelligent to utter such fatuous remarks.
feral
/'fɪər(ə)l/ a. Syn. wild
not domestic; wild; existing in wild or untamed state
Abandoned by their owners, dogs may revert to their feral state, roaming the woods in packs.
Show examples and contexts not domestic; wild; existing in wild or untamed state
Abandoned by their owners, dogs may revert to their feral state, roaming the woods in packs.
fetid
/'fɛtɪd/ a. Syn. stinking
unpleasant-smelling; having offensive smell; stinking
These dogs are housed in fetid, dark sheds and barns or left outside in cages exposed to the cold, the heat, the rain and the snow.
Show examples and contexts unpleasant-smelling; having offensive smell; stinking
These dogs are housed in fetid, dark sheds and barns or left outside in cages exposed to the cold, the heat, the rain and the snow.
florid
/'flɒrɪd/;/'flɔ:rɪd/ a. Syn. ruddy; reddish
reddish; elaborately or excessively ornamented
If you go to beach and get a sunburn, your complexion will look florid.
Show examples and contexts reddish; elaborately or excessively ornamented
If you go to beach and get a sunburn, your complexion will look florid.
fractious
/'frækʃəs/ a. Syn. unruly; disobedient; irritable
inclined to make trouble; disobedient; irritable
Bucking and kicking, the fractious horse unseated its rider.
Show examples and contexts inclined to make trouble; disobedient; irritable
Bucking and kicking, the fractious horse unseated its rider.
garrulous
/'gærʊləs/ a. Syn. wordy; talkative
talking much and repetition of unimportant or trivial details
My Uncle Henry can outtalk any three people I know. He is the most garrulous person in Cayuga County.
Show examples and contexts talking much and repetition of unimportant or trivial details
My Uncle Henry can outtalk any three people I know. He is the most garrulous person in Cayuga County.
gregarious
/grɪ'gɛərɪəs/ a. Syn. sociable
sociable; seeking and enjoying the company of others
Natural selection in gregarious animals operates upon groups rather than upon individuals.
Show examples and contexts sociable; seeking and enjoying the company of others
Natural selection in gregarious animals operates upon groups rather than upon individuals.
hackneyed
/'hæknɪd/ a. Syn. commonplace
repeated too often; over familiar through overuse
When the reviewer criticized the movie for its hackneyed plot, we agreed; we had seen similar stories hundreds of times before.
Show examples and contexts repeated too often; over familiar through overuse
When the reviewer criticized the movie for its hackneyed plot, we agreed; we had seen similar stories hundreds of times before.
hapless
/'hæplɪs/ a.
without hap or luck; luckless; unfortunate; unlucky; unhappy
His hapless lover was knocked down by a car.
Show examples and contexts without hap or luck; luckless; unfortunate; unlucky; unhappy
His hapless lover was knocked down by a car.
harangue
/hə'ræŋ/ n.
noisy speech; speech or piece of writing with strong feeling or expression
In her lengthy harangue, the principal berated the offenders.
Show examples and contexts noisy speech; speech or piece of writing with strong feeling or expression
In her lengthy harangue, the principal berated the offenders.
hegemony
/hɪ'gɛmənɪ/;/'hɛdʒɛmoʊnɪ/ n.
domination, influence, or authority over another, especially by political group or nation over others
When Germany claimed hegemony over Russia, Stalin was outraged.
Show examples and contexts domination, influence, or authority over another, especially by political group or nation over others
When Germany claimed hegemony over Russia, Stalin was outraged.
impassive
/ɪm'pæsɪv/ a.
without feeling; revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
Refusing to let the enemy see how deeply shaken he was by his capture, the prisoner kept his face impassive.
Show examples and contexts without feeling; revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited
Refusing to let the enemy see how deeply shaken he was by his capture, the prisoner kept his face impassive.
imperious
/ɪm'pɪərɪəs/ a. Syn. dictatorial
urgent or pressing; able to deal authoritatively; dictatorial
Jane rather liked a man to be masterful, but Mr. Rochester seemed so bent on getting his own way that he was actually imperious!
Show examples and contexts urgent or pressing; able to deal authoritatively; dictatorial
Jane rather liked a man to be masterful, but Mr. Rochester seemed so bent on getting his own way that he was actually imperious!
impertinent
/ɪm'pɜrtɪnənt/ a. Syn. rude
improperly forward or bold; rude
His neighbors' impertinent curiosity about his lack of dates angered Ted; it was downright rude of them to ask him such personal questions.
Show examples and contexts improperly forward or bold; rude
His neighbors' impertinent curiosity about his lack of dates angered Ted; it was downright rude of them to ask him such personal questions.
impervious
/ɪm'pɜrvɪəs/ a. Syn. impenetrable
impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed
The carpet salesman told Simone that his most expensive brand of floor covering was warranted to be impervious to ordinary wear and tear.
Show examples and contexts impenetrable; incapable of being damaged or distressed
The carpet salesman told Simone that his most expensive brand of floor covering was warranted to be impervious to ordinary wear and tear.
impetuous
/ɪm'pɛtjʊəs/ a. Syn. violent; hasty; rash.
marked by sudden and violent force; hasty; impulsive and passionate
I don't believe that "Leap before you look" is the motto suggested by one particularly impetuous young man.
Show examples and contexts marked by sudden and violent force; hasty; impulsive and passionate
I don't believe that "Leap before you look" is the motto suggested by one particularly impetuous young man.
impinge
/ɪm'pɪndʒ/ v. Syn. infringe; touch
infringe; advance beyond usual limit; make physical impact on; touch
How could they be married not to impinge on one another's freedom?.
Show examples and contexts infringe; advance beyond usual limit; make physical impact on; touch
How could they be married not to impinge on one another's freedom?.
implacable
/ɪm'plækəb(ə)l/ a.
incapable of being pacified; not to be relieved;
Madame Defarge was the implacable enemy of the Evremonde family.
Show examples and contexts incapable of being pacified; not to be relieved;
Madame Defarge was the implacable enemy of the Evremonde family.
inchoate
/'ɪnkoʊət/ a. Syn. rudimentary; elementary
recently begun; imperfectly formed or developed; elementary
Before the Creation, the world was an inchoate mass.
Show examples and contexts recently begun; imperfectly formed or developed; elementary
Before the Creation, the world was an inchoate mass.
incontrovertible
/ɪnkɒntrə'vɜrtɪb(ə)l/ a. Syn. indisputable
indisputable; not open to question
Unless you find the evidence against my client absolutely incontrovertible, you must declare her not guilty of this charge.
Show examples and contexts indisputable; not open to question
Unless you find the evidence against my client absolutely incontrovertible, you must declare her not guilty of this charge.
indefatigable
/ɪndɪ'fætɪgəb(ə)l/ a. Syn. tireless
tireless; showing sustained enthusiastic action
Although the effort of taking out the garbage tired Wayne out for the entire morning, when it came to partying, he was indefatigable.
Show examples and contexts tireless; showing sustained enthusiastic action
Although the effort of taking out the garbage tired Wayne out for the entire morning, when it came to partying, he was indefatigable.
ineffable
/ɪn'ɛfəb(ə)l/ a. Syn. unutterable
unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech
Such ineffable joy must be experienced; it cannot be described.
Show examples and contexts unutterable; cannot be expressed in speech
Such ineffable joy must be experienced; it cannot be described.
inexorable
/ɪn'ɛksərəb(ə)l/ a. Syn. unyielding; implacable
not capable of being swayed; unyielding; implacable
The judge was inexorable and gave the convicted man the maximum punishment allowed by law.
Show examples and contexts not capable of being swayed; unyielding; implacable
The judge was inexorable and gave the convicted man the maximum punishment allowed by law.
ingenuous
/ɪn'dʒɛnjʊəs/ a. Syn. young; unsophisticated
naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated
The woodsman had not realized how ingenuous Little Red Riding Hood was until he heard that she had gone off for a walk in the woods with the Big Bad Wolf.
Show examples and contexts naive and trusting; young; unsophisticated
The woodsman had not realized how ingenuous Little Red Riding Hood was until he heard that she had gone off for a walk in the woods with the Big Bad Wolf.
inimical
/ɪ'nɪmɪk(ə)l/ a. Syn. unfriendly; hostile; harmful; detrimental
unfriendly; hostile; harmful; detrimental
I've always been friendly to Martha. Why is she so inimical to me?.
Show examples and contexts unfriendly; hostile; harmful; detrimental
I've always been friendly to Martha. Why is she so inimical to me?.
iniquity
/ɪ'nɪkw(ə)tɪ/ n.
absence of, or deviation from, just dealing; want of rectitude or uprightness; gross injustice; unrighteousness; wickedness
He thought of New York as a den of iniquity.
Show examples and contexts absence of, or deviation from, just dealing; want of rectitude or uprightness; gross injustice; unrighteousness; wickedness
He thought of New York as a den of iniquity.
insidious
/ɪn'sɪdɪəs/ a. Syn. treacherous; stealthy; sly
spreading harmfully in a subtle manner; designed or adapted to entrap
More insidious is the whole issue of the second amendment.
Show examples and contexts spreading harmfully in a subtle manner; designed or adapted to entrap
More insidious is the whole issue of the second amendment.
inure
/ɪ'njʊə(r)/ v. Syn. harden; habituate
apply in use; use or accustom till no pain or inconvenience; harden; habituate
Then as it relates to the benefits that we expect to inure from the system itself, let me turn that over to Stan to give you some highlights.
Show examples and contexts apply in use; use or accustom till no pain or inconvenience; harden; habituate
Then as it relates to the benefits that we expect to inure from the system itself, let me turn that over to Stan to give you some highlights.
invective
/ɪn'vɛktɪv/ n. Syn. abuse
abusive language used to express blame or ill will
He had expected criticism but not the invective that greeted his proposal.
Show examples and contexts abusive language used to express blame or ill will
He had expected criticism but not the invective that greeted his proposal.
inveterate
/ɪn'vɛtərət/ a. Syn. habitual
deep-rooted; firmly and long established; habitual
An inveterate smoker, Bob cannot seem to break the habit, no matter how hard he tries.
Show examples and contexts deep-rooted; firmly and long established; habitual
An inveterate smoker, Bob cannot seem to break the habit, no matter how hard he tries.
jubilant
/'dʒu:bɪlənt/ a. Syn. exultant; happy; merry
happy; merry; joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
Arriving in Rome to a jubilant crowd and tearful relatives, the women said they had been treated well.
Show examples and contexts happy; merry; joyful and proud especially because of triumph or success
Arriving in Rome to a jubilant crowd and tearful relatives, the women said they had been treated well.
juxtaposition
/dʒʌkstəpə'zɪʃən/ n. Syn. apposition
act of positioning close together; side-by-side position
It is the result of the juxtaposition of contrasting colors.
Show examples and contexts act of positioning close together; side-by-side position
It is the result of the juxtaposition of contrasting colors.
laconic
/lə'kɒnɪk/ a. Syn. concise
brief; effectively cut short; marked by use of few words
Many of the characters portrayed by Clint Eastwood are laconic types: strong men of few words.
Show examples and contexts brief; effectively cut short; marked by use of few words
Many of the characters portrayed by Clint Eastwood are laconic types: strong men of few words.
languid
/'læŋgwɪd/ a. Syn. weak; sluggish
lacking energy or vitality; weak; sluggish; lacking spirit or liveliness
Her siege of illness left her languid and pallid.
Show examples and contexts lacking energy or vitality; weak; sluggish; lacking spirit or liveliness
Her siege of illness left her languid and pallid.
largess
/lɑrdʒɪs/ n.
generous gift; money or gifts bestowed
Lady Bountiful distributed largess to the poor.
Show examples and contexts generous gift; money or gifts bestowed
Lady Bountiful distributed largess to the poor.
latent
/'leɪtənt/ a. Syn. dormant; hidden
present or potential but not evident or active; dormant; hidden
Existing arrangements contain latent functions that can be neither seen nor replaced by the reformer.
Show examples and contexts present or potential but not evident or active; dormant; hidden
Existing arrangements contain latent functions that can be neither seen nor replaced by the reformer.
legerdemain
/lɛdʒədə'meɪn/ n.
show of skill or deceitful cleverness, considered magical by naive observers
The magician demonstrated his renowned legerdemain.
Show examples and contexts show of skill or deceitful cleverness, considered magical by naive observers
The magician demonstrated his renowned legerdemain.
licentious
/laɪ'sɛnʃəs/ a. Syn. amoral; unrestrained
amoral; unrestrained; lacking moral discipline or ignoring legal restraint
Unscrupulously seducing the daughter of his host, Don Juan felt no qualms about the immorality of his licentious behavior.
Show examples and contexts amoral; unrestrained; lacking moral discipline or ignoring legal restraint
Unscrupulously seducing the daughter of his host, Don Juan felt no qualms about the immorality of his licentious behavior.
limpid
/'lɪmpɪd/ a. Syn. clear
clear, transparent or bright; calm, untroubled, and without worry
A limpid stream ran through his property.
Show examples and contexts clear, transparent or bright; calm, untroubled, and without worry
A limpid stream ran through his property.
maelstrom
/'meɪlstrəm/ n. Syn. whirlpool
whirlpool; powerful circular current of water
The canoe was tossed about in the maelstrom, it had to leave the dangerous water quickly.
Show examples and contexts whirlpool; powerful circular current of water
The canoe was tossed about in the maelstrom, it had to leave the dangerous water quickly.
magnanimous
/mæg'nænɪməs/ a. Syn. generous; noble
generous; high-minded; chivalrous
The last area where Obama should be magnanimous is on Defense policy.
Show examples and contexts generous; high-minded; chivalrous
The last area where Obama should be magnanimous is on Defense policy.
malediction
/mælɪ'dɪkʃ(ə)n/ n. Syn. curse
curse; evil speaking; utterance of curse or execration
When the magic mirror revealed that Snow White was still alive, the wicked queen cried out in rage and uttered dreadful malediction.
Show examples and contexts curse; evil speaking; utterance of curse or execration
When the magic mirror revealed that Snow White was still alive, the wicked queen cried out in rage and uttered dreadful malediction.
malevolent
/mə'lɛvələnt/ a. Syn. malicious
having or exhibiting ill will; wishing harm to others; malicious
Lago is a malevolent villain who takes pleasure in ruining Othello.
Show examples and contexts having or exhibiting ill will; wishing harm to others; malicious
Lago is a malevolent villain who takes pleasure in ruining Othello.
manifold
/'mænɪfoʊld/ a.
various in kind or quality; many in number; numerous; multiplied; complicated
The same threat is repeated in manifold forms to awaken the careless.
Show examples and contexts various in kind or quality; many in number; numerous; multiplied; complicated
The same threat is repeated in manifold forms to awaken the careless.
maudlin
/'mɔ:dlɪn/ a. Syn. sentimental
tearfully sentimental; over-emotional; sickly-sentimental
One moment he was in maudlin tears and the next he was cracking some miserable joke about the disaster.
Show examples and contexts tearfully sentimental; over-emotional; sickly-sentimental
One moment he was in maudlin tears and the next he was cracking some miserable joke about the disaster.
mawkish
/'mɔ:kɪʃ/ a. Syn. maudlin
insincerely emotional; showing a sickly excess of sentiment
Whenever Gigi and her boyfriend would sigh and get all lovey-dovey, her little brother would shout, "Yuck!" protesting their mawkish behavior.
Show examples and contexts insincerely emotional; showing a sickly excess of sentiment
Whenever Gigi and her boyfriend would sigh and get all lovey-dovey, her little brother would shout, "Yuck!" protesting their mawkish behavior.
mendacious
/mɛn'deɪʃəs/ a. Syn. lying
lying; habitually dishonest; speaking falsely
Distrusting Huck from the start, Miss Watson assumed he was mendacious and refused to believe a word he said.
Show examples and contexts lying; habitually dishonest; speaking falsely
Distrusting Huck from the start, Miss Watson assumed he was mendacious and refused to believe a word he said.
mercurial
/mɜrkjʊərɪəl/ a. Syn. capricious
capricious; liable to sudden unpredictable change; quick and changeable in temperament
Quick as quicksilver to change, he was mercurial in nature and therefore unreliable.
Show examples and contexts capricious; liable to sudden unpredictable change; quick and changeable in temperament
Quick as quicksilver to change, he was mercurial in nature and therefore unreliable.
modicum
/'mɒdɪkəm/ n.
limited quantity; small or moderate amount; any small thing
Although his story is based on a modicum of truth, most of the events he describes are fictitious.
Show examples and contexts limited quantity; small or moderate amount; any small thing
Although his story is based on a modicum of truth, most of the events he describes are fictitious.
multifarious
/mʌltɪ'fɛərɪəs/ a. Syn. varied
varied; greatly diversified; made up of many differing parts
A career woman and mother, she was constantly busy with the multifarious activities of her daily life.
Show examples and contexts varied; greatly diversified; made up of many differing parts
A career woman and mother, she was constantly busy with the multifarious activities of her daily life.
myriad
/'mɪrɪəd/ a. Syn. innumerable; many; countless; numberless
of very large or indefinite number; of ten thousand
In China, for example, where a number of different dialects are spoken, the same character can be pronounced in myriad ways.
Show examples and contexts of very large or indefinite number; of ten thousand
In China, for example, where a number of different dialects are spoken, the same character can be pronounced in myriad ways.
nadir
/'neɪdɪə(r)/ n.
lowest point; point on sphere opposites zenith diametrically
Although few people realized it, the Dow-Jones averages had reached their nadir and would soon begin an upward surge.
Show examples and contexts lowest point; point on sphere opposites zenith diametrically
Although few people realized it, the Dow-Jones averages had reached their nadir and would soon begin an upward surge.
nascent
/'næsənt/ a. Syn. incipient
incipient; coming into existence; emerging
If we could identify these revolutionary movements in their nascent state, we would be able to eliminate serious trouble in later years.
Show examples and contexts incipient; coming into existence; emerging
If we could identify these revolutionary movements in their nascent state, we would be able to eliminate serious trouble in later years.
nefarious
/nɪ'fɛərɪəs/ a. Syn. abominable
very wicked; infamous by being extremely wicked
Our elected leaders, movie stars and sports heroes sometimes engaged in nefarious activities but rarely were they headlined in the daily newspapers.
Show examples and contexts very wicked; infamous by being extremely wicked
Our elected leaders, movie stars and sports heroes sometimes engaged in nefarious activities but rarely were they headlined in the daily newspapers.
neophyte
/'ni:oʊfaɪt/ n. Syn. beginner
recent convert to a belief; one newly initiated
This mountain slope contains slides that will challenge anyone, either expert or neophyte.
Show examples and contexts recent convert to a belief; one newly initiated
This mountain slope contains slides that will challenge anyone, either expert or neophyte.