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Shashank G.
My list for learning moderate to tough words for GRE.
861 words 14 learners

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words only definitions & notes
  1. abash
    cause to be embarrassed
  2. abate
    become less in amount or intensity
  3. abeyance
    temporary cessation or suspension
  4. abnegation
    the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
  5. abound
    exist in large quantities
  6. aboveboard
    without concealment or deception; honest
  7. abridged
    shortened by condensing or rewriting
  8. abrogate
    revoke formally
  9. abut
    lie adjacent to another or share a boundary
  10. accession
    the act of attaining a new office or right or position
  11. accolade
    a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction
  12. accordion
    a portable box-shaped free-reed instrument
  13. accost
    approach and speak to someone aggressively or insistently
  14. accouter
    provide with military equipment
  15. accretion
    an increase by natural growth or addition
  16. acolyte
    a devoted follower or assistant
  17. acquiesce
    agree or express agreement
  18. addle
    mix up or confuse
  19. adduce
    advance evidence for
  20. adjunct
    something added to another thing but not essential to it
  21. adroit
    quick or skillful or adept in action or thought
  22. adumbrate
    describe roughly or give the main points or summary of
  23. adversary
    someone who offers opposition
  24. aegis
    armor plate that protects the chest
  25. affable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  26. afflicted
    mentally or physically unfit
  27. aggrandize
    embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of
  28. allay
    lessen the intensity of or calm
  29. ameliorate
    make better
  30. amiable
    diffusing warmth and friendliness
  31. amicably
    in a friendly manner
  32. amorous
    inclined toward or displaying love
  33. annals
    a chronological account of events in successive years
  34. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
  35. antithesis
    exact opposite
  36. antithetical
    sharply contrasted in character or purpose
  37. aphorism
    a short pithy instructive saying
  38. aplomb
    great coolness and composure under strain
  39. apocryphal
    being of questionable authenticity
  40. apotheosis
    model of excellence or perfection of a kind
  41. appellation
    identifying words by which someone or something is called
  42. apprehension
    fearful expectation or anticipation
  43. aquiline
    curved down like an eagle's beak
  44. arboreal
    of or relating to or formed by trees
  45. arch
    a curved masonry construction for spanning an opening
  46. artifice
    the use of deception or trickery
  47. artifice
    the use of deception or trickery
  48. artless
    simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
  49. ascendant
    tending or directed upward
  50. asinine
    devoid of intelligence
  51. askance
    with suspicion or disapproval
  52. asperity
    harshness of manner
  53. assiduously
    with care and persistence
  54. astute
    marked by practical hardheaded intelligence
  55. au courant
    being up to a particular standard or up to date in knowledge
  56. aver
    declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  57. avuncular
    being or relating to an uncle
  58. badger
    sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws
  59. badgering
    the act of harassing someone
  60. bagatelle
    something of little value or significance
  61. balk
    refuse to proceed or comply
  62. banishment
    exclusion or rejection from a place or group
  63. beatific
    resembling or befitting an angel or saint
  64. beg
    make a solicitation or entreaty for something
  65. beleaguer
    annoy persistently
  66. belligerence
    hostile or warlike attitude or nature
  67. benighted
    overtaken by darkness
  68. bereft
    lacking or deprived of something
  69. besmirch
    smear so as to make dirty or stained
  70. besot
    make someone dazed or foolish
  71. bevy
    a flock of birds
  72. bicker
    argue over petty things
  73. bigot
    a prejudiced person who is intolerant of differing opinions
  74. bilk
    cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money
  75. blanched
    developed without chlorophyll by being deprived of light
  76. blase
    nonchalantly unconcerned
  77. blight
    any plant disease resulting in withering without rotting
  78. bloviate
    speak verbosely and windily
  79. blunt
    not sharp (used of a knife or other blade)
  80. bluster
    be gusty, as of wind
  81. bovine
    any of various wild or domestic cattle
  82. braggadocio
    vain and empty boasting
  83. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
  84. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
  85. brigand
    an armed thief who is (usually) a member of a band
  86. brooding
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
  87. brusque
    rudely abrupt or blunt in speech or manner
  88. bucolic
    devoted to raising sheep or cattle
  89. budge
    move very slightly
  90. bulwark
    an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes
  91. burnish
    polish and make shiny
  92. buttress
    a support usually of stone or brick
  93. cabal
    a clique that seeks power usually through intrigue
  94. cad
    someone who is morally reprehensible
  95. cadaverous
    of or relating to a corpse
  96. callous
    emotionally hardened
  97. callow
    young and inexperienced
  98. calumny
    a false accusation of an offense
  99. candor
    the quality of being honest and straightforward
  100. canonical
    conforming to orthodox or recognized rules
  101. cant
    a slope in the turn of a road or track
  102. carousing
    used of riotously drunken merrymaking
  103. carping
    persistent petty and unjustified criticism
  104. cavil
    raise trivial objections
  105. caviler
    a disputant who quibbles
  106. cerebration
    the process of using one's mind to consider something
  107. cessation
    a stopping
  108. chafing
    soreness or irritation of the skin caused by friction
  109. charlatan
    a flamboyant deceiver
  110. checkered
    patterned with alternating squares of color
  111. chivalrous
    attentive and honorable like an ideal knight
  112. choleric
    characterized by anger
  113. chum
    a close friend
  114. churlish
    having a bad disposition; surly
  115. circuitous
    deviating from a straight course
  116. circumscribed
    subject to restrictions or constraints
  117. circumspect
    careful to consider potential consequences and avoid risk
  118. circumvent
    surround so as to force to give up
  119. claque
    a group of followers hired to applaud at a performance
  120. clique
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
  121. cloying
    overly sweet
  122. cogitation
    attentive consideration and thought
  123. collusion
    secret agreement
  124. colossal
    so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
  125. comely
    according with custom or propriety
  126. commensurate
    corresponding in size or degree or extent
  127. commodious
    large and roomy
  128. complaisant
    showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
  129. complicity
    guilt as a confederate in a crime or offense
  130. conciliatory
    making or willing to make concessions
  131. concoct
    make something by mixing
  132. concomitant
    following or accompanying as a consequence
  133. condescending
    characteristic of those who treat others with arrogance
  134. condone
    excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
  135. confide
    reveal in private
  136. conflate
    mix together different elements
  137. confutative
    able to be refuted
  138. conjecture
    believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
  139. conjugal
    relating to the relationship between a wife and husband
  140. conjure
    summon into action or bring into existence
  141. connive
    form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
  142. conniving
    acting together in secret toward a fraudulent or illegal end
  143. conspicuous
    obvious to the eye or mind
  144. consternation
    sudden shock or dismay that causes confusion
  145. constrict
    squeeze or push together
  146. constricted
    drawn together or squeezed physically or by extension psychologically
  147. consummate
    having or revealing supreme mastery or skill
  148. contort
    twist and press out of shape
  149. contrite
    feeling or expressing pain or sorrow
  150. conundrum
    a difficult problem
  151. conundrum
    a difficult problem
  152. copious
    large in number or quantity
  153. copious
    large in number or quantity
  154. corpulent
    excessively large
  155. cosset
    treat with excessive indulgence
  156. coup
    a sudden and decisive change of government by force
  157. covert
    secret or hidden
  158. coy
    affectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
  159. craven
    lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
  160. crescendo
    a gradual increase in loudness
  161. curmudgeon
    an irascible, cantankerous person full of stubborn ideas
  162. curry
    a South Asian dish flavored with a spice mixture
  163. curtail
    terminate or abbreviate before its intended or proper end
  164. dashed
    having gaps or spaces
  165. debilitating
    impairing strength and vitality
  166. debunk
    expose while ridiculing
  167. debutante
    a young woman making her formal entrance into society
  168. decadence
    the state of being degenerate in mental or moral qualities
  169. decapitate
    cut the head off of
  170. decimate
    kill in large numbers
  171. declaim
    recite in a skilled and formal way
  172. decorous
    characterized by propriety and dignity and good taste
  173. decrepit
    worn and broken down by hard use
  174. decrepitude
    a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
  175. deference
    courteous regard for people's feelings
  176. deftly
    in an agile manner
  177. defunct
    no longer in force or use; inactive
  178. degeneration
    the process of declining from a higher to a lower level
  179. deleterious
    harmful to living things
  180. delineate
    represented accurately or precisely
  181. delineation
    a drawing of the outlines of forms or objects
  182. deluge
    a heavy rain
  183. demagogue
    a leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions
  184. dementia
    mental deterioration of organic or functional origin
  185. demur
    politely refuse or take exception to
  186. demure
    shy or modest, often in a playful or provocative way
  187. denigrate
    attack the good name and reputation of someone
  188. denouement
    the outcome of a complex sequence of events
  189. deplorable
    of very poor quality or condition
  190. deploy
    place troops or weapons in battle formation
  191. deprecate
    express strong disapproval of; deplore
  192. desist
    stop performing some action
  193. despondent
    without or almost without hope
  194. despotism
    dominance through threat of punishment and violence
  195. detractor
    one who disparages or belittles the worth of something
  196. detractor
    one who disparages or belittles the worth of something
  197. devout
    deeply religious
  198. dexterity
    adroitness in using the hands
  199. diabolically
    as a devil; in an evil manner
  200. diadem
    an ornamental jeweled headdress signifying sovereignty
  201. diaphanous
    so thin as to transmit light
  202. dictum
    an authoritative declaration
  203. digress
    wander from a direct or straight course
  204. dilatory
    wasting time
  205. dilettante
    an amateur engaging in an activity without serious intention
  206. disabuse
    free somebody from an erroneous belief
  207. disabuse
    free somebody from an erroneous belief
  208. disarming
    act of reducing or depriving of weapons
  209. discreet
    marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint
  210. disdain
    lack of respect accompanied by a feeling of intense dislike
  211. disgruntled
    in a state of sulky dissatisfaction
  212. dispiriting
    destructive of morale and self-reliance
  213. disrupt
    make a break in
  214. dissemble
    behave unnaturally or affectedly
  215. disseminate
    cause to become widely known
  216. dissolution
    separation into component parts
  217. distaff
    characteristic of or relating to women
  218. dither
    be undecided or uncertain
  219. diurnal
    having a daily cycle or occurring every day
  220. divest
    take away possessions from someone
  221. docile
    easily handled or managed
  222. doddering
    mentally or physically infirm with age
  223. doleful
    filled with or evoking sadness
  224. drab
    lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise
  225. dregs
    sediment that has settled at the bottom of a liquid
  226. droll
    comical in an odd or whimsical manner
  227. drooping
    hanging down (as from exhaustion or weakness)
  228. drudgery
    hard, monotonous, routine work
  229. duplicity
    the act of deceiving or acting in bad faith
  230. duress
    compulsory force or threat
  231. dyspeptic
    suffering from indigestion
  232. ebb
    the outward flow of the tide
  233. eclectic
    selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
  234. ecumenical
    concerned with promoting unity among churches or religions
  235. edifice
    a structure that has a roof and walls
  236. effigy
    a representation of a person
  237. egregious
    conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
  238. egregious
    conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
  239. elicit
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  240. elixir
    a substance believed to cure all ills
  241. elusive
    skillful at evading capture
  242. emaciated
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
  243. emetic
    a medicine that induces nausea and vomiting
  244. emissary
    someone sent to represent another's interests
  245. encomium
    a formal expression of praise
  246. endure
    undergo or be subjected to
  247. enormity
    the quality of extreme wickedness
  248. entail
    have as a logical consequence
  249. entreaty
    earnest or urgent request
  250. entrenched
    dug in
  251. entropy
    a numerical measure of the uncertainty of an outcome
  252. enunciate
    express or state clearly
  253. epaulet
    an ornamental cloth pad worn on the shoulder
  254. epicure
    a person who takes great pleasure in fine food and drink
  255. epiphany
    a usually sudden insight, perception, or understanding of something
  256. epithet
    descriptive word or phrase
  257. equanimity
    steadiness of mind under stress
  258. errand
    a short trip taken in the performance of a necessary task
  259. errant
    straying from the right course or from accepted standards
  260. ersatz
    an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation
  261. eschew
    avoid and stay away from deliberately
  262. estimable
    deserving of respect or high regard
  263. ethereal
    characterized by lightness and insubstantiality
  264. euphuism
    any artificially elegant style of language
  265. evince
    give expression to
  266. exalted
    of high moral or intellectual value
  267. exasperated
    greatly annoyed; out of patience
  268. excogitate
    reflect deeply on a subject
  269. excoriate
    express strong disapproval of
  270. excruciating
    extremely painful
  271. execrate
    curse or declare to be evil or anathema
  272. exemplar
    a person or thing to be imitated; ideal model
  273. exemplary
    worthy of imitation
  274. exhort
    spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
  275. expatriate
    a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
  276. expediency
    the quality of being suited to the end in view
  277. expedient
    appropriate to a purpose
  278. expedite
    process fast and efficiently
  279. expend
    use up or consume fully
  280. exponent
    notation of how many times to multiply a quantity by itself
  281. expository
    serving to expound or set forth
  282. expunge
    remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line
  283. expurgate
    edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
  284. extant
    still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
  285. extrinsic
    not forming an essential part of a thing
  286. exuberant
    joyously unrestrained
  287. exult
    feel extreme happiness or elation
  288. fable
    a short moral story
  289. facet
    a distinct feature or element in a problem
  290. facetious
    cleverly amusing in tone
  291. facetious
    cleverly amusing in tone
  292. facile
    arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
  293. facile
    arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
  294. facile
    arrived at without due care or effort; lacking depth
  295. falter
    move hesitatingly, as if about to give way
  296. fascist
    an adherent of right-wing authoritarian views
  297. fastidious
    giving careful attention to detail
  298. fatuous
    devoid of intelligence
  299. fealty
    the loyalty that one owes to a country, sovereign, or lord
  300. feint
    any distracting or deceptive maneuver
  301. felicitous
    exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
  302. felony
    a serious crime, such as murder or arson
  303. ferment
    cause to undergo the breakdown of sugar into alcohol
  304. ferret
    a small domesticated mammal with a flexible, elongated body
  305. fervid
    characterized by intense emotion
  306. fervid
    characterized by intense emotion
  307. fetid
    offensively malodorous
  308. fetter
    a shackle for the ankles or feet
  309. fiat
    a legally binding command or decision
  310. fidelity
    the quality of being faithful
  311. fiend
    an evil supernatural being
  312. finagle
    achieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
  313. flabbergasted
    as if struck dumb with astonishment and surprise
  314. flagrant
    conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
  315. flagrant
    conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
  316. flay
    strip the skin off
  317. fledgling
    young bird that has just become capable of flying
  318. fleece
    the outer coat of an animal, especially sheep and yaks
  319. flippant
    showing an inappropriate lack of seriousness
  320. flout
    treat with contemptuous disregard
  321. foible
    a minor weakness or peculiarity in someone's character
  322. foist
    force onto another
  323. forestall
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
  324. fortuitous
    lucky; occurring by happy chance
  325. fracas
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
  326. fractious
    easily irritated or annoyed
  327. frail
    physically weak
  328. fraught
    filled with or attended with
  329. fray
    wear away by rubbing
  330. fret
    be agitated or irritated
  331. fretful
    nervous and unable to relax
  332. fringe
    an ornamental border of short lengths of hanging threads
  333. frivolous
    not serious in content, attitude, or behavior
  334. fulminate
    cause to explode violently and with loud noise
  335. furred
    covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs
  336. fusillade
    rapid simultaneous discharge of firearms
  337. futility
    uselessness as a consequence of having no practical result
  338. galling
    causing irritation or annoyance
  339. galvanize
    stimulate (muscles) by administering a shock
  340. gambit
    a chess move in which the player sacrifices minor pieces
  341. gambol
    play or run boisterously
  342. gamut
    a complete extent or range
  343. garbled
    lacking orderly continuity
  344. garishness
    tasteless showiness
  345. gaunt
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
  346. gentrify
    renovate so as to make it conform to middle-class aspirations
  347. germane
    relevant and appropriate
  348. glean
    gather, as of natural products
  349. gloat
    dwell on with satisfaction
  350. goad
    stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
  351. gouge
    an impression in a surface, as made by a blow
  352. gradation
    relative position in a ranked series
  353. grandiose
    impressive because of unnecessary largeness or magnificence
  354. gratuitous
    unnecessary and unwarranted
  355. grimace
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
  356. guile
    shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
  357. guise
    an artful or simulated semblance
  358. gumption
    fortitude and determination
  359. habiliment
    a covering designed to be worn on a person's body
  360. hagiography
    a biography that idealizes or idolizes the person
  361. happenstance
    an accidental event that seems to have been arranged
  362. harangue
    a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
  363. hegemony
    the dominance or leadership of one social group over others
  364. hermetic
    completely sealed or airtight
  365. hirsute
    having or covered with hair
  366. histrionics
    a performance of a play
  367. hoard
    a secret store of valuables or money
  368. hobble
    walk unevenly due to pain, injury, or weakness
  369. hobnob
    associate familiarly, especially with someone of high status
  370. hubbub
    loud confused noise from many sources
  371. hubris
    overbearing pride or presumption
  372. humbled
    subdued or brought low in condition or status
  373. humdrum
    tediously repetitious or lacking in variety
  374. humility
    a lack of arrogance or false pride
  375. hurtle
    move with or as if with a rushing sound
  376. idiosyncrasy
    a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual
  377. idyllic
    charmingly simple and serene
  378. ignominious
    deserving or bringing disgrace or shame
  379. ignominy
    a state of dishonor
  380. imbroglio
    an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
  381. impassioned
    characterized by intense emotion
  382. impeachment
    the act of charging an official with an offense committed while in office
  383. imperative
    requiring attention or action
  384. impertinent
    improperly forward or bold
  385. impervious
    not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
  386. impetuous
    characterized by undue haste and lack of thought
  387. impinging
    the physical coming together of two or more things
  388. impious
    lacking piety or reverence for a god
  389. implore
    beg or request earnestly and urgently
  390. importune
    beg persistently and urgently
  391. importune
    beg persistently and urgently
  392. imprecation
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
  393. impresario
    a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments
  394. improvident
    not supplying something useful for the future
  395. impudence
    the trait of being rude and impertinent
  396. impugn
    attack as false or wrong
  397. impute
    attribute or credit to
  398. inadvertent
    happening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
  399. incarnadine
    redden or make pinkish
  400. incessant
    uninterrupted in time and indefinitely long continuing
  401. incipient
    only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
  402. inclement
    severe, of weather
  403. incongruous
    lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness
  404. incontrovertible
    impossible to deny or disprove
  405. incredulous
    not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving
  406. indict
    accuse formally of a crime
  407. indigenous
    originating where it is found
  408. indignant
    angered at something unjust or wrong
  409. indolent
    disinclined to work or exertion
  410. ineffable
    defying expression or description
  411. ineluctable
    impossible to avoid or evade
  412. inexorable
    impossible to prevent, resist, or stop
  413. infraction
    a violation of a law or rule
  414. ingratiate
    gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
  415. ingratiate
    gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
  416. iniquity
    absence of moral or spiritual values
  417. innocuous
    not injurious to physical or mental health
  418. inordinate
    beyond normal limits
  419. inscrutable
    difficult or impossible to understand
  420. insentient
    lacking consciousness, responsiveness, or emotions
  421. insidious
    working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
  422. insinuate
    suggest in an indirect or covert way; give to understand
  423. insolence
    the trait of being rude and impertinent
  424. instigate
    provoke or stir up
  425. insurrection
    organized opposition to authority
  426. inter
    place in a grave or tomb
  427. interloper
    someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another
  428. interminable
    tiresomely long; seemingly without end
  429. intractable
    difficult to manage or mold
  430. intransigent
    impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason
  431. intricate
    having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate
  432. Inuit
    a member of a people inhabiting the Arctic
  433. inundate
    fill or cover completely, usually with water
  434. invective
    abusive language used to express blame or censure
  435. inveigh
    complain bitterly
  436. inveigle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
  437. investiture
    the ceremonial promotion of a person to an office or rank
  438. inveterate
    habitual
  439. invidious
    containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
  440. irate
    feeling or showing extreme anger
  441. iridescent
    varying in color when seen in different lights
  442. jejune
    lacking interest or significance or impact
  443. jingoism
    fanatical patriotism
  444. keepsake
    something of sentimental value
  445. labyrinth
    complex system of paths in which it is easy to get lost
  446. lackadaisical
    idle or indolent especially in a dreamy way
  447. laggard
    someone who takes more time than necessary
  448. lagniappe
    a small gift given by a merchant to a customer
  449. lampoon
    ridicule with satire
  450. languid
    lacking spirit or liveliness
  451. lapidary
    relating to precious stones or the art of working with them
  452. largess
    liberality in bestowing gifts
  453. lassitude
    a feeling of lack of interest or energy
  454. leery
    openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
  455. legerdemain
    an illusory feat
  456. levity
    a manner lacking seriousness
  457. licentious
    lacking moral discipline
  458. limpid
    clear and bright
  459. lionize
    assign great social importance to
  460. lissome
    moving and bending with ease
  461. listless
    lacking zest or vivacity
  462. litany
    a prayer consisting of a series of invocations by the priest with responses from the congregation
  463. livid
    furiously angry
  464. lofty
    of imposing height; especially standing out above others
  465. logorrhea
    pathologically excessive and often incoherent talking
  466. loom
    a textile machine for weaving yarn into a textile
  467. loutish
    ill-mannered and coarse and contemptible in behavior or appearance
  468. lull
    make calm or still
  469. lumber
    the wood of trees prepared for use as building material
  470. macabre
    shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
  471. machination
    a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
  472. malediction
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
  473. malfeasance
    wrongful conduct by a public official
  474. malinger
    avoid responsibilities and duties, often by faking illness
  475. malingering
    evading duty or work by pretending to be incapacitated
  476. matron
    a married woman who is staid and dignified
  477. maudlin
    very sentimental or emotional
  478. melee
    a noisy riotous fight
  479. mellifluous
    pleasing to the ear
  480. mercurial
    liable to sudden unpredictable change
  481. meretricious
    tastelessly showy
  482. mien
    a person's appearance, manner, or demeanor
  483. militate
    have force or influence; bring about an effect or change
  484. minion
    a servile or fawning dependent
  485. mirth
    great merriment
  486. missive
    a written message addressed to a person or organization
  487. morbid
    suggesting the horror of death and decay
  488. moribund
    being on the point of death
  489. morose
    showing a brooding ill humor
  490. mossy
    overgrown with moss
  491. muckraking
    the exposure of scandal (especially about public figures)
  492. munificent
    given or giving freely, generously, or without restriction
  493. musing
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
  494. nary
    colloquial for 'not a' or 'not one' or 'never a'
  495. necropolis
    a tract of land used for burials
  496. nefarious
    extremely wicked
  497. nettle
    plant having stinging hairs that cause skin irritation
  498. noisome
    causing or able to cause nausea
  499. nonchalance
    the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care
  500. numinous
    of or relating to or characteristic of a spirit
  501. numismatics
    the collection and study of money
  502. obfuscate
    make obscure or unclear
  503. oblique
    slanting or inclined in direction or course or position
  504. obnoxious
    causing disapproval or protest
  505. obstreperous
    noisily and stubbornly defiant
  506. offhand
    with little or no preparation or forethought
  507. officiate
    perform a ceremony or religious ritual
  508. opine
    express one's view openly and without fear or hesitation
  509. opprobrium
    a state of extreme dishonor
  510. opprobrium
    a state of extreme dishonor
  511. ossify
    become bony
  512. ostracize
    expel from a community or group
  513. oust
    remove from a position or office
  514. outclassed
    decisively surpassed by something else so as to appear to be of a lower class
  515. overt
    open and observable; not secret or hidden
  516. overweening
    presumptuously arrogant
  517. overwrought
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
  518. panacea
    hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases
  519. panache
    distinctive and stylish elegance
  520. panegyric
    formally expressing praise
  521. panoply
    a complete and impressive array
  522. paragon
    a perfect embodiment of a concept
  523. pare
    strip the skin off
  524. pariah
    a person who is rejected from society or home
  525. parley
    a negotiation between enemies
  526. parochial
    relating to or supported by or located in a parish
  527. paronomasia
    a humorous play on words
  528. parvenu
    a person who has suddenly risen to a higher economic status
  529. pastiche
    a work of art that imitates the style of some previous work
  530. patina
    a fine coating of oxide on the surface of a metal
  531. peccadillo
    a petty misdeed
  532. pecuniary
    relating to or involving money
  533. pedant
    a person who is preoccupied with rules and learning
  534. peevish
    easily irritated or annoyed
  535. pejorative
    expressing disapproval
  536. pendent
    an adornment that hangs from a piece of jewelry
  537. penitent
    feeling or expressing remorse for misdeeds
  538. pensive
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
  539. peremptory
    putting an end to all debate or action
  540. peripatetic
    traveling especially on foot
  541. peripatetic
    traveling especially on foot
  542. perturbation
    the act of causing disorder
  543. peruse
    examine or consider with attention and in detail
  544. peter out
    end weakly
  545. phalanx
    any closely ranked crowd of people
  546. phantasmagorical
    characterized by fantastic and incongruous imagery
  547. philistine
    a person who is uninterested in intellectual pursuits
  548. phlegmatic
    showing little emotion
  549. picayune
    small and of little importance
  550. piety
    righteousness by virtue of being religiously devout
  551. pillaged
    wrongfully emptied or stripped of anything of value
  552. pine
    have a desire for something or someone who is not present
  553. piquant
    having an agreeably pungent taste
  554. pithy
    concise and full of meaning
  555. platitude
    a trite or obvious remark
  556. plebeian
    of or associated with the great masses of people
  557. plebiscite
    a vote determining public opinion on a question
  558. plodding
    (of movement) slow and laborious
  559. plucky
    showing courage
  560. poised
    marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action
  561. polemical
    of or involving dispute or controversy
  562. polymath
    a person of great and varied learning
  563. pondering
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
  564. ponderous
    having great mass and weight and unwieldiness
  565. portentous
    of momentous or ominous significance
  566. posthumous
    occurring or coming into existence after a person's death
  567. potentate
    a powerful ruler, especially one who is unconstrained by law
  568. prattle
    speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
  569. precarious
    not secure; beset with difficulties
  570. precipitate
    bring about abruptly
  571. precis
    a sketchy summary of the main points of an argument
  572. precursor
    something indicating the approach of something or someone
  573. predilection
    a predisposition in favor of something
  574. preposterous
    inviting ridicule
  575. prescient
    perceiving the significance of events before they occur
  576. presumptuous
    going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous
  577. pretension
    the advancing of a claim
  578. prig
    a person regarded as arrogant and annoying
  579. prim
    affectedly dainty or refined
  580. probing
    diligent and thorough in inquiry or investigation
  581. prodding
    a verbalization that encourages you to attempt something
  582. profligate
    unrestrained by convention or morality
  583. profuse
    produced or growing in extreme abundance
  584. prognosis
    a prediction of the course of a disease
  585. promiscuous
    casual and unrestrained in sexual behavior
  586. promulgate
    state or announce
  587. pronounced
    strongly marked; easily noticeable
  588. propensity
    a natural inclination
  589. propitiate
    make peace with
  590. propitiatory
    intended to reconcile or appease
  591. propitious
    presenting favorable circumstances
  592. prosaic
    lacking wit or imagination
  593. proscribe
    command against
  594. protean
    taking on different forms
  595. protean
    taking on different forms
  596. protege
    a person who receives support from an influential patron
  597. provident
    giving something useful for the future
  598. pry
    be nosey
  599. pseudonymous
    bearing or identified by an assumed (often pen) name
  600. pugilism
    boxing with bare hands
  601. pugnacious
    ready and able to resort to force or violence
  602. punctilious
    marked by precise accordance with details
  603. putrefy
    decay with an offensive smell
  604. qualm
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
  605. quandary
    state of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options
  606. queasy
    causing or able to cause nausea
  607. quibble
    evade the truth of a point by raising irrelevant objections
  608. quiescent
    being quiet or still or inactive
  609. quotidian
    found in the ordinary course of events
  610. raconteur
    a person skilled in telling anecdotes
  611. ramble
    move about aimlessly or without any destination
  612. ramification
    a consequence, especially one that causes complications
  613. ramification
    a consequence, especially one that causes complications
  614. rancid
    having an offensive smell or taste
  615. rapturous
    feeling great delight
  616. rarefy
    lessen the density or solidity of
  617. ravenous
    extremely hungry
  618. raving
    in a raving manner
  619. realm
    a domain in which something is dominant
  620. rebuttal
    the speech act of refuting by offering a contrary argument
  621. recant
    formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
  622. recede
    pull back or move away or backward
  623. recidivist
    someone who lapses into undesirable patterns of behavior
  624. recluse
    one who lives in solitude
  625. recondite
    difficult to understand
  626. recreant
    having deserted a cause or principle
  627. redress
    make reparations or amends for
  628. refulgent
    radiating or as if radiating light
  629. rejig
    re-equip a factory or plant
  630. rejoinder
    a quick reply to a question or remark
  631. relegate
    assign to a lower position
  632. remiss
    failing in what duty requires
  633. remission
    an abatement in intensity or degree
  634. remonstrate
    argue in protest or opposition
  635. repertoire
    the range of skills in a particular field or occupation
  636. repine
    express discontent
  637. replete
    filled to satisfaction with food or drink
  638. reprisal
    a retaliatory action against an enemy
  639. reprise
    a repetition of a short musical passage
  640. reproach
    express criticism towards
  641. reprobate
    a person without moral scruples
  642. reproof
    an act or expression of criticism and censure
  643. requite
    make repayment for or return something
  644. requite
    make repayment for or return something
  645. resurgent
    rising again as to new life and vigor
  646. revel
    take delight in
  647. revelry
    unrestrained merrymaking
  648. rhetoric
    study of the technique for using language effectively
  649. ribald
    humorously vulgar
  650. rile
    disturb, especially by minor irritations
  651. rococo
    having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation
  652. rogue
    a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
  653. rudimentary
    being in the earliest stages of development
  654. sagacious
    acutely insightful and wise
  655. salutary
    tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
  656. sang-froid
    great coolness and composure under strain
  657. sap
    a watery fluid that circulates in a plant
  658. sardonic
    disdainfully or ironically humorous
  659. sate
    fill to contentment
  660. scabrous
    rough to the touch, as if covered with scales or projections
  661. scathing
    marked by harshly abusive criticism
  662. Schadenfreude
    delight in another person's misfortune
  663. schmooze
    talk in a friendly way, especially to gain an advantage
  664. scintilla
    a tiny or scarcely detectable amount
  665. sclerotic
    relating to or having sclerosis; hardened
  666. scoff
    laugh at with contempt and derision
  667. scrupulous
    characterized by extreme care and great effort
  668. sedition
    an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority
  669. sententious
    concise and full of meaning
  670. sentient
    endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
  671. seraphic
    having a sweet nature befitting an angel
  672. serf
    (Middle Ages) a person who is bound to the land and owned by the feudal lord
  673. shibboleth
    a favorite saying of a sect or political group
  674. shroud
    burial garment in which a corpse is wrapped
  675. simper
    smile in an insincere, unnatural, or coy way
  676. simulacrum
    a representation of a person
  677. simultaneity
    happening or existing or done at the same time
  678. sinecure
    a job that involves minimal duties
  679. skirmish
    a minor short-term fight
  680. slake
    satisfy, as thirst
  681. slander
    words falsely spoken that damage the reputation of another
  682. slew
    a large number or amount or extent
  683. snide
    expressive of contempt
  684. solecism
    a socially awkward or tactless act
  685. solicitous
    full of anxiety and concern
  686. soliloquy
    speech you make to yourself
  687. solipsism
    the philosophical theory that the self is all that exists
  688. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
  689. soporific
    inducing sleep
  690. sordid
    foul and run-down and repulsive
  691. spartan
    unsparing and uncompromising in discipline or judgment
  692. spasmodic
    occurring in spells and often abruptly
  693. spate
    a sudden forceful flow
  694. specious
    plausible but false
  695. spurned
    rebuffed (by a lover) without warning
  696. squalid
    foul and run-down and repulsive
  697. squander
    spend thoughtlessly; throw away
  698. squeamish
    easily disturbed or disgusted by unpleasant things
  699. stasis
    inactivity resulting from a balance between opposing forces
  700. steadfast
    marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
  701. stentorian
    very loud or booming
  702. stolid
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
  703. stultify
    deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
  704. sturdy
    having rugged physical strength
  705. subdued
    restrained in style or quality
  706. subjugate
    make subservient; force to submit or subdue
  707. sublime
    of high moral or intellectual value
  708. subside
    wear off or die down
  709. subterfuge
    something intended to misrepresent the nature of an activity
  710. supercilious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  711. supine
    lying face upward
  712. supplant
    take the place or move into the position of
  713. supplicate
    ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer
  714. surfeit
    indulge (one's appetite) to satiety
  715. surmise
    infer from incomplete evidence
  716. surreptitious
    marked by quiet and caution and secrecy
  717. sweltering
    excessively hot and humid; marked by sweating and faintness
  718. swingeing
    severe; punishingly bad
  719. syncopation
    a musical rhythm accenting a normally weak beat
  720. tacit
    implied by or inferred from actions or statements
  721. tame
    brought from wildness into a domesticated state
  722. tawdry
    tastelessly showy
  723. temperate
    not extreme
  724. tenuous
    lacking substance or significance
  725. throng
    a large gathering of people
  726. thwart
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
  727. timorous
    shy and fearful by nature
  728. toady
    a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
  729. tonality
    any of 24 major or minor diatonic scales that provide the tonal framework for a piece of music
  730. torpid
    in a condition of biological rest or suspended animation
  731. torpor
    a state of motor and mental inactivity
  732. touchstone
    a basis for comparison
  733. tout
    advertise in strongly positive terms
  734. transcendent
    exceeding or surpassing usual limits
  735. treacly
    overly sweet
  736. trenchant
    having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought
  737. trope
    language used in a nonliteral sense
  738. tumult
    a state of commotion and noise and confusion
  739. turgid
    ostentatiously lofty in style
  740. tyro
    someone new to a field or activity
  741. ulterior
    lying beyond what is openly revealed or avowed
  742. umbrage
    a feeling of anger caused by being offended
  743. unadorned
    not decorated with something to increase its beauty
  744. uncanny
    surpassing the ordinary or normal
  745. unduly
    to an unnecessary degree
  746. unfeigned
    not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
  747. unflagging
    unceasing
  748. unflappable
    not easily perturbed, excited, or upset
  749. ungainly
    lacking grace in movement or posture
  750. untenable
    incapable of being defended or justified
  751. upbraid
    express criticism towards
  752. upshot
    a phenomenon that is caused by some previous phenomenon
  753. vacillate
    be undecided about something
  754. vacuous
    devoid of matter
  755. vagary
    an unexpected and inexplicable change in something
  756. vanquish
    defeat in a competition, race, or conflict
  757. vanquish
    defeat in a competition, race, or conflict
  758. vassal
    a person who owes allegiance and service to a feudal lord
  759. vaunt
    show off
  760. verdant
    characterized by abundance of vegetation and green foliage
  761. vernal
    suggestive of youth; vigorous and fresh
  762. vestige
    an indication that something has been present
  763. vexatious
    causing irritation or annoyance
  764. vicarious
    experienced at secondhand
  765. vilify
    spread negative information about
  766. vindicate
    show to be right by providing justification or proof
  767. visage
    the human face
  768. vociferous
    conspicuously and offensively loud
  769. volition
    the act of making a choice
  770. volubility
    the quality of being facile in speech and writing
  771. voluble
    marked by a ready flow of speech
  772. votive
    dedicated in fulfillment of a vow
  773. wan
    pale, as of a person's complexion
  774. waning
    a gradual decrease in magnitude or extent
  775. whiff
    a short light gust of air
  776. whittle
    cut small bits or pare shavings from
  777. wield
    handle effectively
  778. wily
    marked by skill in deception
  779. wince
    draw back, as with fear or pain
  780. wizened
    lean and wrinkled by shrinkage as from age or illness
  781. wont
    an established custom
  782. wraith
    a ghostly figure, especially one seen shortly before death
  783. yoke
    a wooden frame across the shoulders for carrying buckets
  784. Zeitgeist
    the spirit of the time
  785. bleak
    unpleasantly cold and damp
  786. bleak
    unpleasantly cold and damp
  787. protracted
    relatively long in duration
  788. harried
    troubled persistently, especially with petty annoyances
  789. besiege
    surround so as to force to give up
  790. poignant
    keenly distressing to the mind or feelings
  791. astounding
    bewildering or striking dumb with wonder
  792. ennoble
    give a title to someone
  793. untrammeled
    not confined or limited
  794. legion
    a large military unit
  795. brook
    a natural stream of water smaller than a river
  796. trounce
    beat severely with a whip or rod
  797. appurtenant
    furnishing added support
  798. espionage
    the systematic use of spies to obtain secrets
  799. espionage
    the systematic use of spies to obtain secrets
  800. blase
    nonchalantly unconcerned
  801. cavalier
    showing a lack of concern or seriousness
  802. unbridled
    not restrained or controlled
  803. antic
    ludicrously odd
  804. plangent
    loud and resounding, often in a mournful way
  805. tenebrous
    dark and gloomy
  806. semblance
    the outward or apparent appearance or form of something
  807. effusive
    uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
  808. jettison
    throw away, of something encumbering
  809. brazen
    not held back by conventional ideas of behavior
  810. rake
    a long-handled tool with a row of teeth at its head
  811. rake
    a long-handled tool with a row of teeth at its head
  812. licentious
    lacking moral discipline
  813. broach
    bring up a topic for discussion
  814. remonstrate
    argue in protest or opposition
  815. recuse
    disqualify oneself as a judge in a particular case
  816. regale
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
  817. assay
    a test of a substance to determine its components
  818. liaison
    a means of communication between groups
  819. puerile
    displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity
  820. wanton
    a lewd or immoral person
  821. scourge
    something causing misery or death
  822. delude
    be dishonest with
  823. coy
    affectedly shy especially in a playful or provocative way
  824. expound
    add details to clarify an idea
  825. contrive
    make or work out a plan for; devise
  826. Byzantine
    of or relating to or characteristic of the Byzantine Empire or the ancient city of Byzantium
  827. impudent
    improperly forward or bold
  828. recreant
    having deserted a cause or principle
  829. beseech
    ask for or request earnestly
  830. wheedle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
  831. gaffe
    a socially awkward or tactless act
  832. outlay
    the act of spending or distributing money
  833. wane
    a gradual decline (in size or strength or power or number)
  834. dwindling
    a becoming gradually less
  835. insinuation
    an indirect (and usually malicious) implication
  836. succor
    assistance in time of difficulty
  837. solstice
    when the sun is at its greatest distance from the equator
  838. antediluvian
    of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
  839. acquiescent
    willing to carry out the orders or wishes of another
  840. waggish
    witty or joking
  841. provender
    food for domestic livestock
  842. victuals
    a source of food or nourishment
  843. melange
    a varied mixture or assortment of things
  844. waffle
    a batter cake baked and pressed between two patterned metal plates
  845. mince
    cut into small pieces
  846. rail
    a horizontal bar, usually of wood or metal
  847. pecuniary
    relating to or involving money
  848. distraught
    deeply agitated especially from emotion
  849. debilitating
    impairing strength and vitality
  850. moil
    work hard
  851. epithet
    descriptive word or phrase
  852. corporeal
    having material or physical form or substance
  853. picaresque
    (of fiction) involving clever rogues or adventurers
  854. parlous
    fraught with danger
  855. expatiate
    add details to clarify an idea
  856. imperious
    having or showing arrogant superiority
  857. vindictive
    disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
  858. pillory
    a wooden instrument of punishment on a post
  859. renege
    fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
  860. scotch
    hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire
  861. feckless
    generally incompetent and ineffectual
Created on Wed Jul 11 06:19:04 EDT 2012 (updated Thu Oct 04 11:52:02 EDT 2012)

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