Some useful words for TOEFL

Words & Meanings

Word Meaning Word Meaning
Abhor Hate Counterfeit Fake, false
Enfranchise Give voting rights Hamper Hinder, obstruct
Kindle To start a fire Noxious Harmful, poisonous
Placid Calm, peaceful Remunerate Payment for work done
Talisman Lucky charm Abrasive Rough, coarse, harsh
Bilk Cheat, defraud Covert Hidden, undercover
Engender Cause Hangar Storage area for a plane
Knotty Complex, difficult to solve Nuance Something subtle, a fine shade of meaning
Plagiarism Taking credit for someone else's writing or ideas Renown Fame
Tangent Going off the main subject Abrasiveness Harshness, coarseness
Billowing Swelling, fluttering, waving Cower Recoil in fear, shrink away from
Harangue Noisy attacking speech Labyrinth A maze
Nullify To counter, make unimportant Plaintiff Applicant, petitioner
Replete Full Tangible Can be touched
Abrogate Cancel, deny, repeal Blasphemy Speech that offends religious sentiments
Enigma Puzzle, mystery Harbingers Indicators, signs that something will happen
Labyrinthine Complicated, highly convoluted Nuzzle Cuddle, snuggle
Plaudit Statement giving strong praise Reprehensible Shameful, very bad
Tardy Slow, late, overdue Absolution Forgiveness, pardon
Blatant Obvious Creditable Praiseworthy
Ensconce Establish firmly in a position Hasten Hurry, rush
Laceration Cut Obdurate Stubborn
Plausible Can be believed, reasonable Reprieve A respite, postponement of a sentence
Tawdry Of little value, gaudy Abstain Desist, go without
Blighted Damaged, destroyed Credulous Gullible, ready to believe anything
Enshroud Cover Haughtiness Arrogance, pride
Lachrymose Tearful, sad Obfuscate Deliberately make something hard to understand
Plethora An excess Repudiate Shun, eschew
Tedium Boredom Abstemious Self denying, refraining from indulging
Blithe Free-spirited, carefree Crepuscular Active at dawn and dusk
Enunciation Clear pronunciation, accent, articulation Headstrong Stubborn, willful
Lackluster Dull, monotonous, bland Objective Unbiased
Pliable Flexible, not stubborn Rescind Retract, repeal
Temper To moderate, soften Abstruse Obscure, difficult to understand
Blunderbuss Type of gun; a clumsy person Cringe Recoil, flinch, shy away
Envenom To cause bitterness and bad feeling Hedonism Pleasure-seeking
Laconic Brief, short to the point Oblique Indirect, slanting
Plumage Feathers of a bird Resignation Acceptance of fate
Tenacious Stubborn, resolute Accolade Tribute, honor, praise
Bolster Support, prop up Cryptic Puzzling, enigmatic
Ephemeral Short-lived Hedonist A pleasure seeker
Lamentation Expression of regret or sorrow Obliterate Destroy, demolish, eradicate
Plummet Fall suddenly and steeply Resolution Determination
Tentative Not certain Acquiesce Agree to, give in to
Bombast Arrogant, pompous language Curtail Cut short
Epicure Someone who appreciates good food and drink Heed Listen to
Lampoon Ridicule, spoof Oblivious Totally unaware
Podium Raised platform Resonant Echoing
Tenuous Flimsy, not solid Acrid Sharp, pungent (for smells & tastes)
Boorish Ill-mannered Cynical Believing that people act only out of selfish motives
Epistle A letter Heresy Against orthodox opinion
Lance Spear, spike, javelin Obscure Hard to understand, partially hidden
Poignant Deeply moving, strongly affecting emotions Respite A break, intermission
Terse Concise, to the point Acrophobia Fear of heights
Bourgeois Middle class Debility Weakness, incapacity
Epistolary Concerned with letters Hiatus Interruption, pause
Languid Tired, slow Obscured Hidden, covered
Poised Calm, self-possessed Resplendent Shining, glowing
Therapeutic Medicinal, curative Acuity Sharpness (mental or vision)
Braggart Someone who boasts Debunking Exposing false claims or myths
Epitomized Characterized, personified Hidebound Rigid in opinion
Languish Decay, fade away, get weaker Obsequious Servile, submissive
Polemical Causing debate or argument Restorative Making someone feel strong and healthy
Thwart Prevent, frustrate Adamant Forceful, inflexible
Brawny Muscular Decathlon An athletic competition with 10 events
Equivocate Speak ambiguously, avoid telling the truth Hieroglyphics Writing hard to read, enigmatic
Larceny Theft, robbery, stealing Obsession A dominating concern
Ponderous Weighty, slow and heavy Retention Preservation, withholding
Timorous Cowardly, fearful Adroit Skilful
Brevity Being brief Decorum Dignified & decent behavior (adj. Decorous)
Err Make a mistake Largess Generosity
Obsolete No longer valid Pontificate Speak pompously
Reticent Restrained, holding something back Tirade Stream of verbal abuse
Adulation Strong admiration, worship Bristle To show irritation
Decoy Trap, trick, lure Erratic Wandering, irregular
Histrionic Theatrical, exaggerated Laud Praise
Obstreperous Noisy and boisterous Portend Foretell
Retraction Withdrawal, cancellation of a statement Titter Giggle quietly
Adversity Hardship Broach Start to discuss, approach
Deference Respect Esoteric Obscure, hard to understand
Hoary Old Lavish On a grand scale, wasteful
Obtuse Mentally dull Portent A warning sign, omen
Revere Worship Tome Large book
Brusque Blunt, abrupt Defoliate Cause leaves to fall
Espouse Promote, take up, support Hone Sharpen, increase, whet
Lax Careless, not strict Obviate Avoid, make unnecessary
Poseur Someone who puts on an act Riddled Full of (usually full of holes)
Torpid Inactive, lazy, stagnant Aesthetic Concerning art or beauty
Bulwark Fortification, barricade, wall Defunct No longer in existence
Etymology Study of word origin Hyperbole Grossly exaggerated speech
Legend Key to map / myth or story Odious Hateful
Posterity Future generations Rife Common
Torpor Dormancy, sluggishness, inactivity Affable Friendly, social, easygoing
Bureaucracy Officialdom Degradation Deprivation, poverty, debasement
Eulogy Praise Hypochondriac A person obsessed with health
Legion In large numbers Officious domineering, intrusive, meddlesome
`posthumous After death Rigor Thoroughness
Totter Walk unsteadily Alacrity Eagerness, enthusiasm
Burgeon Grow, flourish Deleterious Harmful
Euphemism A polite phrase to cover something unpleasant Hypocritical, Insincere
Lethargic Tired, without energy Ogle Stare at, observe in an obvious manner
postulate Hypothesize, propose Robust Strong, healthy. Tough
Tractable Obedient, dutiful, polite Alchemy Medieval chemistry / attempt to change metal into gold
Burnish Polish Deliberate To think over deeply
Euphony Pleasant sounds Iconoclast Person who opposes orthodoxy
Olfactory Concerned with the sense of smell Potable Suitable for drinking
Rotund Round and fat Tranquil Peaceful
Alibi Excuse to show someone was not at a crime scene Buttress Strengthen, support
Delineation Demarcation, explanation, definition, outlining Evacuate Vacate, abandon
Idiosyncrasy A personal peculiarity, something unique to a person Libertarian Someone who opposes tyranny
Ominous Threatening Potent Powerful, compelling, strong
Ruminate Think over something, ponder Transcribe copy
Allay To lessen Byline The line that tells you who wrote an article
Demur Hesitate, refuse Exacerbate Make worse
Ignominious Shameful Liniment Soothing lotion
Analgesic Something that relieves pain Decongestant A medicine that helps you breathe easily
Conditioner A liquid that keeps the hair healthy and shiny Dandruff Small pieces of dead skin in the hair
Sangfroid The quality of being calm in a dangerous situation Subterfuge A trick or deceitful way of achieving something
Stigma A bad reputation that something has because many people disapprove of it Nifty Skilful, accurate/ simple & effective
Omnipotent All-powerful Pragmatic Practical
Ruse Trick, stratagem Transgress Disobey, commit a sin
Alleviate Make less severe Cacophony Discordant loud noises
Denounce Condemn, speak out against Exasperated Frustrated, annoyed
Ignominy Shame Lithe Flexible, supple
Omniscient All-knowing Pragmatist Concerned with usefulness
Saccharin Falsely sweet Transient Short-lived, ephemeral
Aloof Distant, detached Cajole Coax
Deplete Use up, lessen Exceptionable Very bad (something which we should object to)
Livid Very angry Onerous Burdensome, hard to undertake
Preamble Introductory material Sacrosanct Very holy, inviolable
Traverse Cross Altruism Putting others first, being self-sacrificing
Caldron Huge cooking pot Deplore Regret
Exculpate Free someone from blame, pardon, acquit Illusory Deceptive, false, misleading
Lobbyist Try to persuade someone to support a particular cause Onus Burden
Precarious Unstable, risky Sagacious Wise
Trepidation Fear Amass Accumulate
Callow Immature Depravity Moral corruption
Execrable Very, very bad Immoderate Excessive, extreme, flattering
Lofty Snooty, arrogant, haughty Opaque Does not let light through
Precedent A previous occurrence used as a guide Sage A wise person
Trinket Something of little value, knick-knack Ambiguity Uncertainty, vagueness
Candid Frank, honest Deprecate Criticize, denounce
Exegesis Scholarly explanation or interpretation Opulent Wealthy, rich, magnificent
Longevity Long life Immutable Unchanging, permanent
Precept Guiding principle Salacious Lecherous, erotic
Trite Unoriginal, dull Candor Frankness, openness
Deride Ridicule, make fun of, mock Exemplary Outstandingly good, setting a fine example
Impartial Unbiased, neutral Loquacious Talkative
Ordain Destine, confer holy orders on a priest Precinct District of a city
Sallow Yellowish Ambivalence Lack of clarity, wavering, being undecided
Cantankerous Bad-tempered, quarrelsome Derogatory Uncomplimentary
Exemplify Serve as a good example Impecunious Having no money
Lucid Clear Ornate Highly decorated
Precipice Steep slope Salubrious Health-giving
Truant Striker, someone absent without permission Ambulatory Able to walk around (used of hospital patient)
Capacious Spacious Desecrate To damage or pollute a holy place
Exhaustive Complete and thorough Impious Wicked, profane
Ludicrous Ridiculous, silly Orthodox Conventional
Precipitous Done in a hurry Salutary Something which teaches you a lesson, beneficial
Truncate Cut short Ameliorate Make better
Capitulate Surrender, give in to Exonerate Acquit, absolve, remove blame
Impoverished Destitute, poor Lukewarm Unenthusiastic; neither hot nor cold
Ossify Turn to bone, become fixed and rigid Preclude Prevent or make impossible
Sanctimonious Hypocritically holy Tumult Uproar, noise
Carping Constant criticism Desist Stop, discontinue, cease
Exorcism Eliminating getting rid of (esp. demons) Impromptu Unrehearsed, spontaneous
Lummox Clumsy person Ostentatious Showy
Precocious Developing early Sanction Give approval to
Turpitude Depravity Amiable Friendly
Cartographer Person who makes maps Despondent Having no hope, miserable
Expatriate Refugee, someone living away from their own country Inadvertent Not intentional
Luscious Juicy, moist, succulent Oust Push out of a position
Sanguinary Bloodthirsty, bloody Tyro Novice, beginner
Amity Friendship Castigate Scold strongly
Destitution Hardship, poverty, misery Expedient Convenient, practical
Incantation Chant, invocation, prayer Lynch Assassinate, kill, illegal hanging
Overt Obvious, not hidden Predicament Dilemma, difficult situation
Sanguine Optimistic, cheerful Ubiquitous Found everywhere, omnipresent
Amorphous Lacking in shape Catharsis Expressing repressed emotions
Deter Prevent Expedite Make faster
Incarceration Putting in prison Machinations Plots and plans
Overwrought Worked up, in an emotional state Preeminent Famous, outstanding
Sardonic Mocking Unalloyed Undiluted, total
Caucus Type of private political meeting Deteriorate Worsen, decline
Exposition Clear explanation Incessant Without stopping
Maelstrom Whirlpool, storm in the ocean Palatable Good to eat, agreeable
Prerogative Right or privilege Savant Person with knowledge
Unctuous Oily; using excessive flattery Analogous Comparable
Caustic Burning Detrimental Harmful
Extol Praise Incipient Just beginning
Magnanimous Generous, big-hearted Palisade Fence made of posts
Prescient Having fore-knowledge Scale Climb
Undermined Damaged, attacked Anarchy Chaos , lack of government
Cavalcade Procession of vehicles Devoured Greedily eaten, consumed
Extradite Deport from one country back to the home country Inclination Tendency, a leaning toward
Magnate Powerful businessman Palliative A remedy that improves but doesn't cure
Presentiment A feeling that something might happen Scapegoat A person on whom blame is placed for faults of others
Underscore Emphasize Anecdote An amusing brief story
Celerity Speed Dexterous Skilful with hands
Extraneous Irrelevant Incoherent Not clear
Maladroit Clumsy, unskillful Pallid Pale
Presumptuous Assuming too much, arrogant Scrupulous Careful, diligent, painstaking
Unequivocal Clear, obvious Animosity Hatred, antagonism
Dichotomy A division into two parts Extrapolate Extend; predict on the basis of known data
Incongruous Not fitting in, out of place Malady Illness
Palpable Easily felt, easily perceived Pretentious Pompous, self-important
Scrutinize Examine carefully Unfetter Set free
Annex (n) A building which is an addition to an existing building Censure Blame or criticize severely
Didactic Intended to teach, instructive Extrinsic Irrelevant, on the outside
Inconsequential Unimportant, insignificant, negligible Malediction A curse
Panacea Remedy for all ills Prevaricate Speak misleadingly and evasively
Scuttle Sink Unfrock To remove a priest from his position
Annex (v) Take possession of, seize, capture Cerebral Intellectual
Diffident Lacking confidence fallacious False
Inconspicuous Not easily seen Malefactor A wrongdoer
Paradigm Example, model Pristine Unspoiled
Seminary An institution in which priests are trained Unprecedented Never having happened before
Anomaly Irregularity Certitude Certainly
Digress Wander off the subject Falter Hesitate, waver
Indelible Can't be wiped out Malinger Deliberately avoid work, shirk
Paragon A perfect example Procrastinate Delay, put off
Sentinel Guard, sentry Unwitting Not deliberate, unconscious
Antagonistic Opposed, hostile, aggressive Chary Wary of, cautious about, reluctant to give
Dilatory Slow, falling behind with one's work Fanaticism Passion, excessive devotion
Indigenous Native to a particular area Malleable Flexible, can be shaped
Paramount Of supreme importance Prodigal Wasteful, extravagant
Sequester Isolate Upbraid Scold, tell of, reprimand
Antediluvian Outdated, prehistoric, very old-fashioned Chastise Punish
Dilemma Puzzling situation Fastidious Overly particular, finicky
Indolence Laziness Mallet Hammer, stick used for polo
Prodigious Very large Serendipity Fortunate coincidence, unsought discovery
Uproarious Hilarious, hysterical, very funny Anthology A book which is a collection of poems or stories
Chicanery Trickery Dilettante Person who dabbles in a subject without serious study
Fatuous Silly, foolish Inductee Novice, beginner
Manipulatable Influencable, controllable Parched Dried up
Profane Unholy Serene Calm, peaceful
Upshot Outcome Anthropocentrism Putting man at the center of one's philosophy
Chimerical Changeable, unstable Diligent Hard-working
Feasible Possible and practicable Indulgent Pampering, satisfying desires
Marred Damaged, spoiled Pariah An outcast from society
Profanity Swearing, cursing Serrated Jagged, saw-like
Urbane Sophisticated, suave Antiquated Outdated, old-fashioned
Choleric Easily angered Diorama Model of a scene
Fecund Fertile Inebriation To be drunk, high, intoxicated
Marshal To gather together Parity Equality
Profound Having deep meaning Servile Overly submissive, groveling
Usurp Take someone's position (usually by force) Apathetic Indifferent, uninterested, lethargic
Chronicler Person who records historical information Dirge Mournful song
Felicitous Apt Ineffable Cannot be expressed in words
Marsupial Pouched mammal like a kangaroo Profundity Depth
Skeptical Doubting, not gullible Utilitarian Useful
Apathy Lack of interest or emotion Circuitous Indirect
Disapprobation Disapproval Fervor Passion, enthusiasm
Inept Incompetent, unskilled, useless Martinet Person who believes in strict discipline
Parody A mockery, imitation for ridicule Proletarian Member of the working class
Skirmish Minor battle Utopian A believer in an ideal world
Apocryphal Of doubtful origin Circumlocution Using too many words, long
Discern Distinguish one thing from another Fickle Unpredictable, whimsical, easily swayed
Inertia Inactivity, lethargy Masochist One who intentionally inflicts pain on oneself
Parry Ward off , avoid Prolific Producing a lot
Sluggard Slow-moving, lethargic person Vacillate Waver, hesitate
Appease Pacify, soothe, calm down, make peace with Circumscribe Limit
Discord Disagreement Fineness Skill
Inevitable Cannot be avoided Matriarchy Society governed by women
Parsimonious Economical, frugal, thrifty Proponent Supporter, promoter
Smelt Refine an ore Vacuous Empty, silly, meaningless
Apprehensive Worried, fearful Circumspect Cautious, considering all sides
Discordancy Cacophony, harshness, jarring Fitful Not continuous, stopping and starting
Inexorable Relentless Maverick A person with independent or unusual views
Parsimony Stinginess, frugality, cost-cutting Prosaic Dull, boring, ordinary
Smorgasbord A Swedish buffet of cold dishes Vagrant Person wandering without a home
Arable Can be cultivated Circumvent Avoid
Discrepancy Something that does not match up, inconsistency Flagrant Clearly wrong
Inexpedient Not advisable Meager In short supply
Partisan Biased, one-sided, committed to one group Proscribe Forbid
Solace Comfort for grief Vapid Dull, uninspiring
Arbitrary Random, for no definite reason Clairvoyant Psychic, mystic
Flamboyant Showy, ornate Infallible Perfect, flawless
Meander Wander from side to side Pathos Evoking sadness or pity
Prosody Study of versification Solicit To ask or seek
Variegated Multicolored, speckled Arcane Obscure, known only to a few people
Clamor Shout, scream Discursiveness Indirectness
Flaunt Show off, display in a showy manner Infamous Famous for something bad
Mellow Soft, melodious, ripe Patron One who gives support (usually financial)
Prostration Lying face down, or, be overcome with extreme weakness Somnambulist Sleepwalker
Vehemence Violence, fervor, forcefulness Archaic Ancient, outdated
Clandestine Secret, covert, stealthy Disdain Contempt, strong dislike
Flippant Making jokes about serious matters Infer Deduce, conclude
Menagerie Collection of animals Patronize Behave in an arrogant manner towards
Protagonist Main character in a film, book, play.. Soothsayer Fortuneteller
Vehement Forceful Archetype Classic example of
Clemency Mercy Disinterested Unbiased
Flout Defy, reject Ingenue Naïve, unsophisticated person
Mendacious Given to lying Paucity Shortage
Protean Changeable Sophomoric Juvenile, immature
Venal Corrupt, can be bribed Archives Old records
Cliché Overused expression, something unoriginal disparage Criticize, belittle
Flustered Worked-up, not calm ingrate Ungrateful person
Mercenary Concerned only with money Peccadillo Minor weakness, trivial offence
Protégé Person under protection of, or guided by another Soporific Inducing sleep
Veneer Surface coating Articulate Clear, lucid, eloquent
Clientele Customers Disparity An inequality
Fly-by-night Unreliable, disreputable Inimical Hostile
Mercurial Volatile, changeable Pedant One who insists on strict adherence to rules or narrow learning
Sparse Spare, bare, meager Venerate Revere, worship
Artifice Deception, trickery Coalesce Come together, merge
Dispassionate Neutral, objective Forensic Concerned with courts of law, concerned with argument
Innate Inherited, inborn Merge Come together
Pedestrian Common, mundane, banal Provincial Unsophisticated, narrow-minded
Specious False Venial Minor, unimportant
Artisan Craftsman Coddle Pamper, fuss over, indulge
Disseminate Circulate, spread (information) Fortitude Bravery
Innocuous Harmless, inoffensive Metaphorically Symbolically, figuratively
Peerless Without equal prudent Cautious, wise
Speckled Spotted, freckled, dotted Veracity Truthfulness
Ascetic Without luxuries, severely simple Coercion Force
Diurnal Active in daytime Fortuitous Happening by chance
Meticulous Very careful, painstaking Pejorative Derogatory
Puerile Childish Sporadic Not continuous, intermittent
Verbose Talkative, rambling Assiduous Thorough, diligent
Cogent Lucid, well argued Divert Entertain / distract / cause a detour
Fractious Irritable, difficult to control Inscrutable Mysterious, impenetrable
Mettle Courage, bravery, valor Pellucid Transparently clear
Punctilious Paying attention to small details Spurious False
Verbosity Using too many words Assuage To calm
Cogitate Think over something, ponder Docile Gentle and easily led
Fraudulent Fake, false Insentient Unfeeling
Milieu Environment Pensive In a thoughtful mood, thinking deeply
Purloin Steal Stagnant Still, not moving
Vertigo Dizziness Astute Perceptive, sharp-witted
Collage Picture made from fragments of other pictures Dogmatic Having stubbornly held opinion
Frivolous Not serious Insipid Dull, bland, boring
Mire Swamp, muddy ground Penury Poverty
Pusillanimous Cowardly Staid Dull, sober, serious
Vestigial Not developed Asylum Place of refuge or safety
Collate Arrange in order Dolt Stupid person
Frugal Economical, not wasting anything Instigate To start, provoke
Misanthrope Hater of the rest of mankind Perceptive Observant
Pyromania Compulsion to start fires Vignette Small sketch
Atheist Person who does not believe in God Dotard Foolish old man
Furrow Groove Instigator Person who entices others to do something
Misnomer Wrong name Percipient Perceptive, insightful
Quaff Drink down quickly Staunch Loyal, faithful, dependable
Vilification Blackening someone's name Atrophy Waste away from lack of use
Collusion Plotting and planning Drawl Speak slowly with words running together
Furtive Hidden and secret Insurgent A rebel
Misogynist Hater of women Perdition Damnation
Quagmire Marsh, bog Stereotype Fixed image
Vindicate Prove right, remove blame Attenuate Weaken
Commandeer Take possession of Drivel Nonsense
Futile Useless, hopeless Interminable Never ending
Misrepresentation Deliberately deceiving Peremptory In a commanding manner
Quaint Picturesque Stevedore Dock worker
Virtuoso An accomplished musician Augment Increase, make bigger
Complacent Self-satisfied, smug Droll Dryly amusing
Intermittent Sporadic, irregular Mitigate Lessen, make less severe
Perfidy Treachery Quandary Dilemma, puzzle
Stifle Suppress Virulent Dangerous, harmful
Auspicious Favorable, promising to turn out well Compliant Easy to control, submissive
Drone Monotonous noise; to speak with no emotion Gambol Frolic, leap, bound
Intransigence Stubbornness Modicum Small amount
Perfunctory Superficial, cursory Quarantine Isolation to prevent the spread of disease
Stoic Known for fortitude, indifferent to pleasure or pain Austere Severely plain
Concatenate Link together Dubious Doubtful
Garble Distort, confuse, muddle Momentous Very important
Peripatetic Nomadic, moving from place to place Quarry Something that is hunted / mine for stone
Stoke Add fuel to, strengthen Vitriolic Corrosive, strongly attacking
Aversion A dislike of Dupe To fool someone
Garish Gaudy Intrepid Brave
Peripheral On the edge, not important Querulous Always complaining
Stolid Impassive, indifferent Vivacity Liveliness, animation
Balk Hinder and prevent, hesitate over Conciliate To bring together, end a dispute
Garner Gather, collect Inveterate Habitual
Moratorium Temporary prohibition or halt to activity Perjury Lying under oath
Quirk Oddity Stratagem Plot, plan, trick
Vivify Enliven Banal Common, dull
Concise Stated in few words Ebullient Very lively, jovial, happy
Garrulous Talkative Invidious Arousing envy
Moribund On the point of death Pernicious Destructive, harmful
Ramble Wander aimlessly Strident Loud and harsh
Vociferous Noisy, loud in speech Banality
Condescend Talk down to Eccentric Unusual, quirky, odd
Gaunt Emaciated, bony and angular Inviolable Cannot be invaded
Morose Gloomy, bad tempered Persnickety Fastidious, fussy
Ramifications Branches, subdivisions of a complex system Stringent Strict or severe
Volatile Dangerously unstable; evaporate easily Bane Troublesome influence
Condone Tacitly support, overlook Eclectic Taking things from different sources
Genre A category, type Irascible Easily angered
Mundane Ordinary, worldly Perpetuated Caused to continue
Rancor Resentment, animosity, bad feeling Strut Swagger, show off
Voluble Talkative Bard Poet
Edifice Building, structure Germane Relevant
Ire Anger Munificent Generous, charitable
Perpetuity Eternity Rant Use bombastic language
Stupefying Astonishing, shocking Voluminous Very large, spacious
Bastion Fortress, stronghold Conflagration Big fire
Efface Wipe out, remove all trace of Germinal Just growing, not developed, immature
Irksome Annoying, infuriating Mutinous Very rebellious
Personable Attractive Ratify Approve, consent
Subpoena Summons to court Voracious Ravenous
Befuddle Confuse Confound Confuse
Effigy A model of a person Gibbering Making meaningless noises
Ironic Satiric, unexpected Myriad In large numbers
Perspicacious Insightful, sharp, wise Raucous Rough, unpleasant (of sounds)
Substantiate Give supporting evidence Waive Surrender, give up
Begrudge Resent Congeal To solidify
Effusive Gushing; demonstrative Glacial Hostile, unfriendly, cold
Navigable Suitable for sailing Perspicacity Insight
Raze Destroy, demolish Subterfuge A trick
wane Grow less Beguile Mislead, lure
Congenital Present from birth Egalitarianism Belief in equality
Goad Prod, urge Irreproachable Cannot be criticized, perfect
Nebulous Vague Pertinent Relevant
Rebuttal Denial Subtle Not obvious
wary Hesitant, cautious Belabor Explain in unnecessary detail
Connoisseur Person with refined taste and good judgement Egregious Obviously bad
Grate Annoy, aggravate, vex Irrevocable Cannot be cancelled, unchangeable
Nefarious Wicked, immoral, disreputable Peruse Read carefully
Recant Disclaim, retract statement Subversive Rebellious, revolutionary
Wax To increase, to grow Beleaguer Besiege, attack
Consecrate Dedicate Egress Exit
Gratis Free of charge Itinerant Nomadic
Negate Cancel, deny Pervasive Spreading everywhere
Recapitulate Summarize Succinct Concise
Waylay Accost, stop, approach, hinder Belle Contradict
Consensus General agreement Eloquent Fluent and persuasive in speech
Gratuitous Unwarranted Jaded Tired, bored
Petrify Terrify; turn to stone Receptacle Container, vessel, holder
Suffragist Someone who campaigns for voting rights weighty Serious
Belittle To demean Conspicuous Easily seen, prominent
Elucidate Make clear Gravity Seriousness
Jargon Specialized language used by experts Neologism Newly coined word
Petulant Sulky, peevish Recluse Someone who cuts himself off from life
Supercilious Proud and haughty Whelp Young dog
Bellicose Warlike, aggressive Consummate Complete, total
Elusive Hard to pin down Gregarious Sociable, outgoing
Jaundiced Cynical, pessimistic Nettle Annoy
Recuperate Get better after illness Superlative Extremely good, the best
Whet Sharpen Belligerent Aggressive, ready to fight
Emaciated Very thin, withered Gritty Coarse, granular
Jaunt Short pleasure trip Niggardly Miserly, stingy
Philanthropy Love of mankind Surly Grumpy, rude
Whimsical Capricious, changeable Bemoan Complain about
Contrite Sorry Emancipate Set free
Guffaw Sudden loud laughter Jeopardize Put at risk
Philistine Uncultured person Redolent Smelling of, giving off odors
Surreptitious Secret, sneaky, stealthy Willful Stubborn
Benevolent Kindly Contrition Sorrow and repentance
Embezzle Defraud, steal Guile Cunning, craftiness
Jingoistic Extremely patriotic, nationalistic Nonchalance An appearance of indifference, calm and composed
Phlegmatic Calm, imperturbable Redress Put right something that was wrong
Wily Cunning Benign Kindly, harmless
Contumacious Stubborn Embroil Involve in hostility or argument
Guileless Frank, straightforward, honest Jocular In a joking manner
Nondescript Having no special features pillage Plunder
Redundant Unnecessary, superfluous Susceptible Vulnerable
Wispy Flimsy, frail, delicate Benignity Compassion, gentleness
Contusion A bruise Emerge Come out, appear
Gullibility Unawareness, trustfulness, being easily fooled Jollity Gaiety, happiness
Nonentity A person of no importance Pinnacle Topmost point
Referendum Public vote Wistful Melancholy, pensive, expressing a longing for
Bequeath Leave something in one's will to be given after one's death Conundrum A puzzle
Emulate To imitate something admired Gullible Easily fooled
Jubilant Ecstatic, delighted Nostalgia Longing for the past
Pious Very religious Refute Disprove
Sybarite Lover of luxury Zany Crazy, wacky
Berate Scold, criticize Conventional Usual, customary, common
Endorse Give support or approval to Gustatory Concerned with the sense of taste
Judicious Correct in judgement, wise Notoriety Infamy, known for wrongdoing
Regale Entertain Sycophant Bootlicker, flatterer
Zeal Enthusiasm Beret Type of cap
Corpulent Fat Endurance Staying power, patience, stamina
Hackneyed Common and overused Jurisprudence Science or study of law
Novel New, unusual Placate Pacify, soothe, calm
Relegate Dismiss to a lower position Taciturn Quiet, saying little
Zealot Fanatic Bestial Behaving like a beast, brutal
Corrugated Highly folded Enduring Lasting
Hallowed Worshipped, consecrated Juxtapose Place next to
Novice A beginner, tyro Placebo Harmless medicine with no effect
Remorse Regret, sorrow, contrition Tactile Concerned with the sense of touch
zenith Summit Cranny A very small hole, esp. in a wall
Perennial Constantly occurring, lasting for a long time Trickle Move slowly or gradually
Creak To make a harsh sound, as when a door opens Crackle To make a small sharp sound as when dry sticks burn
accost To meet someone and to speak first Accomplice One who aids and abets a criminal
Admonish To warn about, advise against doing something agile Lively
Affluent Rich Aglow Shining brightly
Ailment A mild illness Ajar Slightly open
Amicable Friendly Agitate Disturb
Anguish Great sorrow Anomalous Unusual
Arduous Demanding great effort Arraign To charge, accuse
Audacious Bold, daring Autonomous Free, independent
Avarice Greed Chasm A deep crack in the earth
Beckon To signal with one's hand Beverages Drinks
Bicker To quarrel Bewilder To confuse
Blandishment Coaxing, persuasion by flattery Boulder A large rock
Brandish To shake or wave a weapon menacingly Brawl A noisy fight
Brittle Easily broken Diffidence Lack of confidence in oneself
exacting Detailed, meticulous Divulge To make known, to reveal
Drench To make very wet Enervate To debilitate, to weaken
Dingy Dirty, shabby Expanse A large area
Facile easy Extempore Without preparation
Feat An act requiring great strength or courage Exorbitant Extravagant, excessive
Garb Clothing Flounder To move awkwardly
Fret about To worry about Homage Allegiance, respect
Grouchy Irritable Hoax A trick
Imminent About to happen Eminent Famous and respected
Grope To search blindly, uncertainly Gauche Impolite, clumsy
Impartible Indivisible Incidental Of lesser importance, secondary
Infested Inhabited in large numbers by something harmful Loafer An idle lazy person
Lanky Tall and thin Lustrous Bright, shining
Molest To annoy, bother Moron A foolish, silly person
Mumble To speak indistinctly Nadir The lowest point
Munch To chew Pauper A very poor person
Pilfer To steal promulgate To make known, to declare officially
Reiterate To say again Sagacity Good judgement, wisdom
Sinuous Winding, curving Slit Cut
Surmise To guess Surfeit To eat an excessive amount
Luminous Bright meddle Interfere, intrude

Choose the correct answer:
1- Most people (adroit - abhor - rancor- adore) terrorism.
2- The report contained a (plumage - braggart - byline - plethora) of details.
3- I suggested putting off the meeting, but the manager (demurred - depleted - desecrated - exonerated).
4- She remained (caustic - savant - sanguine - incipient) about our chances of success.
5- That (feat - loafer - brawl - cranny) will never get the job done.
6- The people who are chosen to become astronauts must be healthy and (timorous - apprehensive - audacious - egregious).
7- Her boss (agitated - admonished - arraigned - bewildered) her not to be late for work again.
8- When he (blandished - anguished - brandished - drenched) a knife, the clerk agreed to give him the money in the cash drawer.
9- The diplomats from both countries were (floundered - groped - infested - enervated) by the long series of talks.
10- It is hard to understand him because he has a tendency to (promulgate - mumble - pilfer - surmise)
11- There was a sign on the gate which read "Do not (condescend - ramble - molest - vivify) the dog."
12- Although he displays (diffidence - nuance - ensconce - heresy) with strangers, he is very self-confident with friends.
13- I am very (obscure - terse - dubious - poised) about signing this contract because I am not sure about some of the terms.
14- His (redolent - surly - jaunt - egress) manner keeps him from having many friends.
15- Seen from an airplane, the river is as (itinerant - beleaguer - pertinent - sinuous) as a snake.
16- He resented the way she (patronized - meandered - smelted - parched) him.
17- (Malefactors - expedites - Lummoxes - Precipices) will be pursued and punished.
18- I feel that I must (traverse - ossify - deprecate - lynch) the allocation of funds for such an unproductive purpose.
19- After the accident, he was amazed to find his car in (sentinel - pristine - philistine - profane) condition.
20- She is usually very (drawled - collated - circumspect - variegated) when she buys something for her family.
21- The boys always (placate - emulate - inculcate - munch) popcorn while they watch the movie.
22- Since I did not expect to address you this evening, my remarks will have to be (bequeath - pinnacle - extempore - wispy).
23- Dr. Taylor's fees are (exorbitant - susceptible - nondescript - contumacious).
24- Professor Patterson was (redressed - embezzled - exasperated - emancipated) by his students constant lateness.
25- Professor William's explanation served to obscure rather than (bemoan - elucidate - whet - nettle) the theory.
26- The reporter could not (peruse - succinct - grate - divulge) the source of his information.
27- Whether or not he is (nebulous - goad - culpable - raucous) will be determined by the jury.
28- Even the most (callous - mutinous - voluminous - munificent) observer will be moved by the news report about the war.
29- Margaret is a very (irascible - stringent - morose - congenial) person. Everybody likes her.
30- In spite of efforts by several universities, the (vociferous - cryptic - strident - moribund) symbols on the mural remained a mystery.
31- The city buses are in (ebullient - stolid - decrepit - querulous) condition, but the bus company does not have funds to purchase new ones.
32- His ideas were so (cogent - peripheral - peripatetic - modicum) that nobody offered an argument against them.
33- The lecturer (stifled - mitigated - digressed - augmented) from the subject so often that it was difficult to take notes.
34- My schedule is so (hectic - furtive - dotard - vestigial) that I have only half an hour for lunch.
35- The dial on this alarm clock is (momentous - auspicious - luminous - perspicacious) so that it can be seen in the dark.
36- His (obsequious - monotonous - invidious - superfluous) submission to his boss's ideas disgusted his fellow workers.
37- Earnest Hemingway was a very (virulent - sporadic -prolific - pejorative) writer; during his brief career he published seven major novels, six volumes of short stories and poems , and two travel sketches.
38- These ruins are the (coddles - ingrates - disparages - vestiges) of an ancient civilization.
39- She used every (wile - venal - flout - mellow) that she could think of in order to trick him into helping her.
40- The candidate's speech was interrupted by (vagrant - infallible - sporadic - sluggard) applause.
41- She could not convince the (chronicler - sentry -mallet - sequester) to allow her through the gate without proper identification.
42- They paid ((paragon - panacea - homage - malady) to their dead leader by lowering the flag to half-mast.
43- We laughed all through the movie. It was (incongruous - hilarious - scrupulous - extraneous).
44- The actors were costumed in the original (garb - savant - caucus - tyro) of sixteenth-century England.
45- John felt that he had to (desist - sallow - ordain - emulate) the success of his famous father.
46- This point is explained in the (preamble - cacophony - subterfuge - liniment) to the report.
47- Some TV advertisements have a (reticent - deleterious - hidebound - epistolary) effect on our children.
48- She is noted for her (retraction - adversity - torpor - largess). She gives her friends a lot of gifts.
49- Children learn far more by example than by (candor - precept - trite - ambivalence).
50- The car has a (ludicrous - precipitous - capacious - ostentatious) boot. It can hold a lot of things.