List of vocabulary words

v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount

As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.

adj. existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality

Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.

I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!

All students must behave accordingly.

n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something

Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults.

v. to make suit a new purpose

v. to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation

The US has adapted many foreign foods to better suit the tastes of Americans.

Dogs are known for their ability to quickly adapt to their environments.

adj. having knowledge or skill [usu. in a particular area]

Beth loves playing the piano, but she’s especially adept at the violin.

adj. having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose

Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he’d be a good fit.

n. the arrival or creation of something [usu. historic]

The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb.

adj. relating to hostile opposition

An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life.

n. someone who promotes or defends something

v. to defend or promote something [usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.]

I am an advocate for free higher education.

Environmental protesters often advocate for cleaner energy practices.

adj. relating to beauty or refined taste

The aesthetic decorations at the wedding reception made you feel as if you were a character in a fairy tale.

He’s saving money so he can afford to buy a new car.

I can’t afford to lose any more pencils!

v. to promote something [usu. a cause]

They’re agitating for better health care.

v. to permit or consent to

US law allows citizens to speak freely.

v. to make a secretive mention of something

She alluded to the problem at hand but didn’t say anything more about it.

n. a noisy argument or confrontation

Greg got into an altercation with a stranger at the bar.

adj. unclear or vague in meaning

Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.

adj. having a powerful desire for success or achievement

Penny is so ambitious, she wants to be president someday.

n. the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options

His ambivalence prevented him from immediately signing the contract.

adj. similar but not identical

Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.

v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction

The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels.

n. something different from the norm

This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.

v. assume to be likely to happen

The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be.

n. a strong feeling of dislike

Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classroom.

n. the highest point of something

The spring play was the apex of our school year.

n. fearful expectation of something

Her apprehension to leave her house resulted in her missing the train.

v. to clearly express in words

She articulated her opinion on the price of the house.

adj. something made; not occurring naturally

Many candies use artificial flavors to make them taste fruity.

His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh.

adj. stern and forbidding

adj. relating to self-denial

He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods.

My boss had an austere expression on her face.

An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn’t for everybody.

n. the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived

The police officer doubted the authenticity of the suspect’s story.

n. an intangible path or approach to something

The company has decided to pursue other avenues.

adj. actively interested in or enthusiastic about something

Gerald is an avid soccer fan.

adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something

You have to start with basic Russian before you can move on to the advanced level.

v. to have as a characteristic

She bears a strong resemblance to your mother.

Judy will bear her first child later this year.

My garden is going to bear pumpkins this year.

I can’t bear her complaining any longer!

Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits.

n. a preconception that prevents objectivity

It’s important to avoid bias when investigating a crime.

adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness

The ending of the romance movie was bittersweet.

v. to support, strengthen, or fortify

If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch.

v. to increase or make grow

The boost in profits was a welcome change.

In order to boost profits, you need to cater to your customers.

n. an intense, loud fight

v. to fight loudly and disruptively

A brawl broke out at school today after one student accused another of cheating.

The two students brawled for an hour.

n. the quality of being brief or terse

The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.

Josh is candid about his desire to become an actor.

n. the trait of being honest and frank

I admire her candor, especially when nobody else bothers to speak up.

v. to use to your advantage

I’d like to capitalize on your math skills by having your work the cash register.

v. to trap or take possession of

v. to successfully represent or imitate

v. to captivate, mesmerize

The spy was captured by the enemy.

Your painting beautifully captures the ephemerality of life.

I was captured by her beauty.

The cops captured the criminal three days after the incident.

adj. relating to the city or citizens

adj. emotionally unattached [usu. used in medical or scientific setting]

Her clinical approach to situations allows her to handle them more effectively.

n. special advantage or power

Children of rich and famous people often believe they have a lot of clout.

adj. indicating a rough texture

adj. lacking refinement or sophistication

The horse’s mane was coarse, as if it had never been washed.

The queen’s coarse way of speaking surprised the other members of royalty.

v. to happen at the same time

It wasn’t until after I booked my ticket that I realized the concert coincided with my finals.

n. the use of payment to request something [e.g., a service or product]

This painting was commissioned by a rich merchant in 1589.

This novel is comparable to Huckleberry Finn.

adj. sufficiently qualified

We need to hire a competent web developer to create a good website for our company.

adj. satisfied, with no desire to change or improve

Though he had never won any awards or even been published, he was complacent with his life as a poet.

v. to make perfect or complete

This wine perfectly complements this platter of gourmet cheese.

v. to be forced to agree or surrender

v. to admit to a transgression

With no chance of winning the battle, the army at last conceded.

Dan conceded to pranking his sister.

v. to imagine or come up with

The plan to build the city was originally conceived in the early 1900s.

v. to overlook, approve, or allow

She couldn't condone her daughter's rebellious behavior.

adj. able to bring about or be suitable for

The noisy students hardly made the campus library conducive to studying.

v. to behave a certain way

The group conducted their research abroad last year.

Be sure to conduct yourself accordingly.

v. to share something secretive with someone

She confided all of her biggest secrets in her best friend.

v. to put limits on; to restrict

We are going to confine the use of this drinking fountain.

After weeks of debating, the panel finally came to a consensus.

v. to form or compose [part of] something

The desire for equality constituted the civil rights movement.

She contemplated telling her teacher about the cheating student.

v. to maintain or assert [an opinion]

The president contends that the US government will not negotiate with terrorists.

v. to be in contrast with

The camera footage contradicts his alibi.

adj. highly debatable and causing contention

Millions of viewers watched the controversial debate take place.

adj. abiding by accepted standards

She lives a conventional life in the suburbs.

v. to pass on or transfer [information]

I have trouble conveying my thoughts in French.

n. a firm belief in something

Her religious convictions prevent her from eating meat.

v. to provide evidence for; to back up [a claim]

The note signed by her father corroborates her claim that she was absent from class that day.

v. to work in opposition to

This ingredient seems to counteract the other ones.

n. an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument

Make sure to include a counterargument in your essay so that you can show you’ve considered the topic from all perspectives.

adj. hindering the achievement of a goal

Bill’s idea to take a shortcut was ultimately counterproductive: it took us twice as long to get to the train station.

n. the final act or climax

The culmination of the performance was unforgettable.

v. to foster the growth of

Teachers don’t just pass on new information to students—they cultivate their academic potential.

v. to declare formally and with authority

The president decreed that Halloween would henceforth be a national holiday.

Her deference to the elderly makes her the perfect candidate for an internship at the retirement center.

adj. not enough in degree or amount

I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient.

Could you demonstrate the dance move for me?

This book’s use of words such as “grim” and “bleak” demonstrates the author’s mournful tone.

She demurred at my request to transfer to a different department.

v. to [over]use over time [usu. resources]

The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food.

The moon is one giant, desolate landscape.

v. to come up with [a plan]

Lana devised a plan to make herself famous.

n. a problem, usually requiring a choice between two options

The main dilemma is whether to pay for a commercial or not.

n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task

Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.

v. to become smaller in scope or degree

The itchiness of mosquito bites usually starts to diminish after a few days.

adj. hopeless and dangerous or fearful

When the police didn’t explain what was happening right away, Jane knew that the situation must be dire.

Disputes over money caused intense discord in the family.

n. a lack of respect and strong dislike [toward something or someone]

He looked at me with such disdain that I immediately knew the job wouldn’t work out.

n. hopelessness, stress, or consternation

v. to fill with woe or apprehension

To Nick’s dismay, he got an F on the test.

Many were dismayed by the town’s implementation of metered parking.

v. to belittle or speak down to

A good boss is stern but never disparages his or her employees.

v. to send off a message or messenger

The mother dispatched her daughter to their neighbor’s house.

n. the act of becoming diverse

Lately, there’s been noticeable diversification of students at higher institutions.

n. a principle, theory, or position, usu. advocated by a religion or gov’t

Devoutly religious people often live their lives according to their doctrines.

n. power and authority [usu. over a territory]

The country claimed to have dominion over parts of Russia.

Puerto Rico is a dominion of the US.

The gray clouds in the sky made the day feel dreary.

adj. doubtful, questionable

The man’s claims to the throne were dubious since nobody knew where he’d come from.

adj. peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm

She’s a little eccentric but still fun to be around.

After cheating on the exam, Emily began to feel as though she’d made an egregious mistake.

adj. having refined or expressive communication skills [in speaking or writing]

His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling.

adj. superior or distinguished; high in position or status

Our town made news when the eminent magician came to perform at our local theater.

v. to discharge, give forth, or release

Plants consume carbon dioxide and emit oxygen.

adj. very expressive; using emphasis

Her emphatic smile told me she was excited to ride the roller coaster.

adj. derived from experience, observation, or an experiment

You need empirical evidence to support your claim.

v. to equip or bestow [usu. a quality or ability]

According to the myth, the gods endowed him with the gift of healing.

v. to withstand, sustain, or hold out against

I can’t endure this wait any longer. Will Stanford accept or reject me?

A doctoral program entails long nights and a heavy workload.

Her face will forever be entrenched in my memory.

I can’t enumerate how many times I’ve had to remind my students when their papers are due.

v. to admire and be jealous of

His envy of her is quite obvious.

She envies her coworker's social skills.

adj. having no fixed course; deviating from the norm

The car became erratic after slipping on ice.

v. to found [a business, group, school, etc.]

They established a law that made it illegal to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol.

Our group established a new branch in Chicago.

v. to draw forth or call up

Horror movies are great at evoking fear.

v. to make worse or increase the severity of

The doctor told me not to run as it can exacerbate my knee injury.

v. to do something extremely well or to be superior in

She was a well-rounded student but excelled especially in science.

v. to put into use [usu. as effort]

Don’t exert all of your energy at once.

adj. invigorating, stimulating, or exciting

The music playing at the club was catchy and exhilarating.

v. to use up [as in energy or money]

Be careful not to expend all your energy in the first half of a marathon.

v. to use selfishly or for profit

The shoddy company exploited its workers by paying them extremely low wages.

v. to aid the progress of

In grad school, advisors facilitate students’ research and offer constructive criticism.

n. the practicality or possibility of something

The feasibility of her project was doubtful; she’d have to go all the way to Antarctica and back before the school year ended.

The lion is just one wild animal known for its ferocity.

adj. related to [government] money

Fiscal policy is how the government uses money to influence the economy.

v. to prosper, grow, or make fast progress

After one year, the tiny plants had flourished into a breathtaking garden.

v. to be unstable; to rise and fall

Stocks can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to determine when to buy or sell one.

The civilians accused their leader of fomenting political unrest.

adj. capable of being predicted or anticipated

I can't imagine aliens visiting us in the foreseeable future.

I frankly don’t see the point in learning to drive.

His freewheeling attitude often got him in trouble at work.

adj. the most essential or most basic part

A thesis is arguably the most fundamental part of an essay.

adj. thrilling, exciting, stimulating

The galvanizing performance left everyone spellbound.

I became interested in geriatric medicine shortly after my grandfather passed away from cancer.

The voices around the corner sounded angry, hostile even.

adj. supposed; related to a hypothesis

For my physics homework, I must come up with a hypothetical situation.

adj. publicly shameful or humiliating

The politician's expensive campaign ultimately ended in ignominious defeat.

v. to transmit, bestow, or disclose

Parents must impart common sense to their children.

n. the equal and objective treatment of opposing views

To ensure impartiality, we require everyone to follow these general guidelines.

adj. impressive [esp. in size or appearance]

The old mansion was imposing in its huge size and gothic architecture.

If it’s not too much of an imposition, could you proofread my paper?

adj. not cautious or prudent; rash

Backpacking abroad can be fun, but don’t be imprudent about money.

v. to encourage or stir up

Her hateful words incited anger in the crowd.

n. apathy, emotional detachment

The girl’s indifference toward her brother upset their parents.

adv. randomly; with little or no distinction

Lottery winners are chosen indiscriminately.

v. to give into; to satisfy or gratify

My friend loves to indulge in cheesy romance movies.

v. to guess, conclude, or derive by reasoning

You can infer from this quotation that the writer didn’t care for “pretty” language.

adj. novel or new [esp. as an idea or invention]

Her invention was incredibly innovative and won her multiple awards.

A vampire’s thirst for blood is said to be insatiable.

The culture’s norms were an inversion of our own.

v. to call on; to appeal to [e.g., a higher power]

The shaman attempted to invoke a demon.

adj. incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon

The couple’s differences were ultimately irreconcilable, giving them no choice but to break up.

v. to feel sorrow for; to mourn

Susan lamented her missed chance at going to Europe with her high school class.

Physics involves the study of locomotion.

adj. capable of making a lot of money; profitable

Writing books isn’t a particularly lucrative career, unless you’re J.K. Rowling.

The malicious spirit drove out the inhabitants from their home.

adj. capable of being molded or changed

Children’s minds are malleable but only for so long.

adj. superficial; focus on material possessions

Many people accuse Americans of being materialistic.

adj. extravagant or exaggerated [as of a melodrama]

The melodramatic play was well liked by the audience.

adj. small in size or amount

They moved into a modest house in the countryside.

I received a modest sum of money for my help at the company event.

v. to change, alter, or tweak

Dr. Nguyen modified the gene so that it wouldn’t carry the disease.

adj. historically significant

Her win in the election was momentous.

We are looking for novel ways to approach the project.

n. a subtle difference in meaning

Body-language experts even understand the nuances of facial expressions.

adj. legally void and ineffective

The government declared their marriage null.

n. judgment based on observations instead of emotions or opinions

In scientific research, objectivity is of utmost importance.

adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon

Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they’re making a huge comeback.

adj. almighty and all powerful

Gods are omnipotent beings who can control human destiny.

n. the beginning or early stages

At the onset of her career as a lawyer, things were looking up.

v. to openly express an opinion

The new employee opined at the company meeting.

adj. highly detailed and decorated

That ornate silverware must be worth thousands of dollars!

v. to remove or force out of [usu. a position or office]

Sick and tired of putting up with his bad moods, the pirates ousted their captain.

adj. predominant, superior, most important

Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees.

Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

According to the news, nobody perished in the fire.

They will persecute anyone who doesn’t agree with their views of the world.

adj. cranky, pouty, irritable

Petulant children are especially difficult to care for.

n. highest level or degree

Many believe that composers such as Beethoven and Mozart represent the pinnacle of classical music.

The frail-looking dog was pitiable, so I gave it some food and took it inside to care for it.

adj. reasonable and possibly true

Her story is plausible, but that doesn’t mean she’s telling the truth.

The literary critic postulates that romanticism and naturalism are actually interconnected.

adj. having great influence

adj. having a strong, chemical effect

The bald eagle is a potent symbol of the US.

The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately!

It’s not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.

n. an example or subject from earlier in time

This change in law is without historical precedent.

n.  someone who comes before you [usu. in position or office]

My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office.

v. to issue authorization for medications

The directions for our essay prescribe a length of at least ten pages.

A doctor must prescribe you this medication before you can begin taking it.

n. basic truth, assumption, or rule

Remember the universal principle: treat others as you want them to treat you.

v. to command against, to outlaw

Alcohol was prohibited in the US in the 1920s.

n. a cue to begin something; instructions

v. to incite, propel, or cause to act

She is always prompt when it comes to turning in her homework.

I had to write an essay based on a prompt.

The possibility of a scholarship prompted him to apply to Harvard.

v. to put into law or formally declare

The ruler will at last promulgate an amnesty with the neighboring countries.

v. to bring criminal action against someone [in a trial]

The suspect was prosecuted yesterday.

adj. intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse

Her nude paintings are considered quite provocative.

adj. involving qualities of something [features and content]

I noticed a qualitative change in her paintings.

adj. involving quantities [numbers and amounts]

We must conduct a quantitative analysis.

His biggest quirk is his love of old marbles.

v. to split into two or more branches

Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century.

adj. without attention to danger or risk

Her rash decision to pass the car nearly resulted in a crash.

adj. not processed; uncooked [as in food]

He’s got raw talent as a singer, but he needs to work on his performance skills.

In some countries, such as Japan, it is normal to eat raw fish.

adv. right away and without difficulty

Water was readily available at different points in the race.

n. thinking again about a previously made choice

The judges’ reconsideration of her performance resulted in her victory.

n. a change for the better; improvement

The reform made it so that only those 18 and older can legally drive.

The government reformed its vague policies on marijuana use.

v. to prove to be untrue, unfounded, or incorrect

The student refuted the professor’s claim in class.

v. to strengthen or add support to

We can use these pipes to reinforce the structure.

adv. somewhat unwillingly

Max reluctantly agreed to see the horror movie with his friends.

v. to give up [usu. power or a position]

Our CEO renounced her position yesterday.

He renounced his friend after he caught her stealing money from him.

The mother reproached her daughter’s school for making students come in during a blizzard.

v. to refuse to recognize as true

The father repudiated his son’s marriage.

She repudiated her son once she found out he’d married someone without telling her.

n. the act of keeping something

Water retention can make you weigh more on certain days.

adj. satisfied [usu. in hunger]

I felt satiated after eating a snack.

adj. having practical intelligence or knowledge

My brother is not very savvy when it comes to using public transportation.

adj. morally offensive, often causing damage to one’s reputation

The scandalous politician decided it was best to resign from office.

v. to look down on with disdain

It’s difficult for me not to scorn those who use improper grammar.

adj. paying great attention to detail

I am a scrupulous proofreader and never miss an error.

v. to examine carefully and critically

The teacher scrutinized her students’ essays.

v. to produce or release [a substance]

Trees secrete a sticky substance called sap.

n. a tender or moving gesture

I am of the sentiment that you should never give out your passwords to anyone.

Even though I’m not a big fan of porcelain dolls, I appreciated the sentiment.

adj. so thin that light can shine through

The curtains on the window were so sheer you could clearly see inside the house.

This math problem is so simple even a first grader can solve it.

The simple beauty of the ocean is what makes it memorable.

Medieval peasants believed sinister demons could harm humans.

n. the joining of commonalities or common purposes among a group

I stood in solidarity with other female students by refusing to wear the school’s sexist uniform.

adv. insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner

Due to my condition, I must eat salt sparingly.

v. to call forth or generate

Frogs typically spawn in ponds.

The topic spawned an ongoing debate among his family members.

v. to stimulate or incite

Her bravery spurred others to act.

adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy

The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator.

adj. very plain; devoid of any details or features

Looking out at the stark landscape, I felt a keen sense of isolation.

Her life has been static for the past three years.

v. to make dependent on or put at a lower rank

The subordinate officers work every day.

My subordinate will check you in.

You aren’t my boss—you can’t subordinate me to the role of receptionist!

adv. happening later or after something

I subsequently went home.

adj. very large in amount or degree

I was shocked to find a substantial amount of money beneath the park bench.

v. to strengthen with new evidence or facts

It is important for scientists to substantiate their theories whenever possible.

adj. hard to detect or analyze

I detected in her expression a subtle hint of irritation.

adj. enough; just meeting a requirement

These boxes should be sufficient for our move.

adj. unfriendly; inclined to anger

The bartender was a surly fellow who wasn’t afraid to start a fight.

v. to get on top of or overcome

They managed to surmount the language barrier by using a translation app.

adj. to be vulnerable [to something]

Children are more susceptible to certain illnesses than adults are.

adj. skilled at dealing with people

Her tactful attitude toward our class made her one of my favorite teachers.

The rubberband was taut and ready to be fired.

adj. abundantly filled [usu. with living organisms]

Doorknobs are not as clean as they look and are often teeming with germs.

n. usual mood or feelings

She had a hostile temperament, making her intimidating to most people.

We haven’t made any official arrangements yet, but the tentative location for our wedding is Hawaii.

adj. see-through; so thin that light can shine through

adj. truthful or easy to perceive

Stained window glass isn’t as transparent as regular window glass is.

She was transparent about her plans to end her marriage.

adj. dangerous and unstable

The journey was becoming treacherous, but they continued on regardless.

adj. very large, good, or bad in degree or size

Tremendous news! You don’t have to repay your loans!

adj. being everywhere at once

Cell phones are ubiquitous these days.

Though the dress was cheap and unadorned, it was by far her favorite one on the rack.

v. to weaken or subvert [usu. gradually or secretly]

Parents should take care not to constantly undermine their children.

v. to emphasize or give additional weight to

This sentence seems to underscore the overall meaning of the passage.

v. to move as ripples or in a wavy pattern

Belly dancers are known for their ability to skillfully undulate their stomachs.

The unilateral decision was deemed unfair by the other party involved.

adj. unfair; not justified

The court’s decision is unjust—he should not go free.

adj. downright, utter, total

My speech was an unmitigated disaster!

adj. completely new and never having happened before; historic

The number of protestors was unprecedented.

v. to make visible; to reveal

We plan to unveil our plans for the new company project on Sunday.

v. to encourage or persuade

He had the urge to tell his parents about his acceptance to Columbia but decided against it.

She urged her sister to apply to Stanford.

v. to prove or declare valid

Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me.

n. ability to be done in a practical or useful way

The viability of the solution is questionable.

It is vital that you respond by the deadline.

My brother quickly broke his vow to never eat chocolate again.

v. to prove to be reasonable

Wanting to look cool in front of your friends doesn’t warrant breaking the law.

n. production of an amount

v. to give way to or surrender to

The farmer’s annual pumpkin yield exceeded 10,000.

Cars turning right on red must yield to oncoming traffic.

Our experiment yielded many unique-looking vegetables.