Newspaper vocabulary-1

Vladislav V. (Russia)
25 words 1 learner

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. scupper
    put in a dangerous, disadvantageous, or difficult position
    Russia has consistently blocked the agreement, with China also scuppering the deal each year until 2015. The Guardian (Oct 16, 2016)
  2. impugn
    attack as false or wrong
    Mostly though, Melania Trump’s appearances involved impugning the integrity of the accusers — and, of course, the media. The Guardian (Oct 18, 2016)
  3. snivel
    cry or whine with snuffling
    Bruno becomes more interesting, she grows less so, and still she snivels at center stage, whining about her bad luck and mistreatment. New York Times (Mar 19, 2015)
  4. loth
    (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
    Without it, firms might be loth to sell in volatile markets. Economist (Oct 6, 2016)
  5. rationale
    an explanation of the fundamental reasons
    He took the stage at The Wall Street Journal’s D Live conference this week to lay out his rationale for the Time Warner deal. Wall Street Journal (Oct 29, 2016)
  6. funk
    a state of nervous depression
    After weeks of controversy and declining poll numbers, Trump and his campaign have settled into a dark funk. Washington Post (Oct 21, 2016)
  7. hijinks
    noisy and mischievous merrymaking
    He was part of a profession that not only tolerated bad-boy hijinks, but actually prized them, rewarded them. Time (Jul 15, 2016)
  8. lackadaisical
    lacking spirit or liveliness
    The perception of a lackadaisical investigation by local police and school administrators received enough public criticism to prompt reforms, though no charges were filed. The Guardian (Nov 20, 2015)
  9. grouse
    complain
    Most consumers might grouse if Apple finally removes the headphone jack from its iPhones, but investors should welcome it. US News (Sep 6, 2016)
  10. cavil
    raise trivial objections
    Perhaps this protest seems like caviling against a noble sentiment that resonates with those who read it. New York Times (Apr 2, 2014)
  11. hellion
    a rowdy or mischievous person (usually a young man)
    Going nowhere slowly and with great deliberation, “Hellion” presents a fractured family locked in a closed loop of adolescent misbehavior and adult retaliation. New York Times (Jun 12, 2014)
  12. rapscallion
    one who is playfully mischievous
    A natural on stage, and surprisingly light on his feet, he makes Falstaff a charming rapscallion and sings the music with consummate Italianate style. New York Times (Dec 7, 2013)
  13. putative
    purported
    One of the defining features of living in a putatively classless democracy, as has often been observed, is a constant feeling of status anxiety. The New Yorker (Jul 18, 2016)
  14. conk out
    stop operating or functioning
    The Apple Watch battery conks out after an average of about eighteen hours. Forbes (Aug 13, 2015)
  15. purvey
    supply with provisions
    This is big stuff — PR firms are paid millions to purvey positive images of this sort. Salon (Jul 16, 2016)
  16. stoke
    (of a fire) stir up or tend
    Trump’s comments on immigration came hours after he further stoked fears of election fraud in a rally in Colorado. The Guardian (Oct 30, 2016)
  17. kink
    a difficulty or flaw in a plan or operation
    But Amazon has spent years ironing out the kinks with its delivery service, he said. Seattle Times (Oct 27, 2016)
  18. piffle
    speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly
    Like its predecessors, "Chinese Puzzle" is overlong and more piffle than work of substance. Los Angeles Times (May 22, 2014)
  19. musty
    stale and unclean smelling
    The musty pages stir memories when exposed to fresh air. Los Angeles Times (Jul 1, 2016)
  20. nab
    seize suddenly
    For some students, the attraction is about building real-world experience needed to nab a first job. US News (Sep 22, 2016)
  21. retributive
    of or relating to or having the nature of retribution
    He advocates retributive torture and the deliberate targeting of family members of terrorists. Slate (Mar 23, 2016)
  22. dicey
    of uncertain outcome; fraught with risk
    And if some of their transactions seemed a bit dicey, they made plenty of money for themselves and their clients. New York Times (Oct 25, 2016)
  23. burnish
    polish and make shiny
    More than ever, it is the fashion show publicity and the celebrities wearing those runway frocks to red-carpet events that burnish a designer brand. Wall Street Journal (Oct 26, 2016)
  24. spruced up
    dressed in fancy or formal clothing
    Parks and piazzas are being spruced up for the event, which is expected to boost the numbers of visitors to Rome significantly. BBC (Nov 26, 2015)
  25. trough
    a narrow depression, as between waves
    Michigan’s economy is vastly improved from the troughs of the Great Recession. Washington Times (Oct 31, 2016)
Created on Sun Oct 30 13:25:15 EDT 2016 (updated Mon Oct 31 14:33:07 EDT 2016)

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