800 high frequency words GRE

Vin K.
816 words 850 learners

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words only definitions & notes
  1. abdicate
    give up power, duties, or obligations
  2. aberrant
    markedly different from an accepted norm
  3. abeyance
    temporary cessation or suspension
  4. abject
    of the most contemptible kind
  5. abjure
    formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
  6. abscission
    the act of cutting something off
  7. abscond
    run away, often taking something or somebody along
  8. abstemious
    marked by temperance in indulgence
  9. abstinence
    the trait of refraining from something, especially alcohol
  10. abysmal
    exceptionally bad or displeasing
  11. accretion
    an increase by natural growth or addition
  12. accrue
    grow by addition
  13. adamant
    very hard native crystalline carbon valued as a gem
  14. adjunct
    something added to another thing but not essential to it
  15. admonish
    scold or reprimand; take to task
  16. adulterate
    make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance
  17. aesthetic
    characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste
  18. affected
    influenced
  19. affinity
    a natural attraction or feeling of kinship
  20. aggrandize
    embellish; increase the scope, power, or importance of
  21. aggregate
    a sum total of many heterogeneous things taken together
  22. alacrity
    liveliness and eagerness
  23. alchemy
    a pseudoscientific forerunner of chemistry in medieval times
  24. allay
    lessen the intensity of or calm
  25. alleviate
    provide physical relief, as from pain
  26. alloy
    a mixture containing two or more metallic elements
  27. allure
    the power to entice or attract
  28. amalgamate
    bring or combine together or with something else
  29. ambiguous
    having more than one possible meaning
  30. ambivalence
    mixed feelings or emotions
  31. ambrosia
    the food and drink of the gods
  32. ameliorate
    make better
  33. amenable
    disposed or willing to comply
  34. amenity
    something that provides value, pleasure, or convenience
  35. amulet
    a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
  36. anachronism
    locating something at a time when it couldn't have existed
  37. analgesic
    capable of relieving pain
  38. analogous
    similar or equivalent in some respects
  39. anarchy
    a state of lawlessness and disorder
  40. anodyne
    capable of relieving pain
  41. anomalous
    deviating from the general or common order or type
  42. antecedent
    a preceding occurrence or cause or event
  43. antediluvian
    of or relating to the period before the biblical flood
  44. antipathy
    a feeling of intense dislike
  45. apathy
    an absence of emotion or enthusiasm
  46. apex
    the highest point of something
  47. apogee
    the farthest point in an orbit around the Earth
  48. apothegm
    a short pithy instructive saying
  49. appease
    make peace with
  50. appellation
    identifying words by which someone or something is called
  51. apposite
    being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
  52. apprise
    inform somebody of something
  53. approbation
    official acceptance or agreement
  54. appropriate
    suitable for a particular person, place, or situation
  55. apropos
    of a suitable, fitting, or pertinent nature
  56. arabesque
    position in which the dancer has one leg raised behind
  57. archeology
    the branch of anthropology that studies prehistoric people and their cultures
  58. ardor
    feelings of great warmth and intensity
  59. arduous
    characterized by effort to the point of exhaustion
  60. argot
    a characteristic language of a particular group
  61. arrest
    take into custody
  62. artifact
    a man-made object
  63. artless
    simple and natural; without cunning or deceit
  64. ascetic
    someone who practices self denial as a spiritual discipline
  65. asperity
    harshness of manner
  66. aspersion
    a disparaging remark
  67. assiduous
    marked by care and persistent effort
  68. assuage
    provide physical relief, as from pain
  69. astringent
    tending to draw together or constrict soft organic tissue
  70. asylum
    a shelter from danger or hardship
  71. atavism
    a reappearance of an earlier characteristic
  72. attenuate
    become weaker, in strength, value, or magnitude
  73. audacious
    disposed to venture or take risks
  74. austere
    of a stern or strict bearing or demeanor
  75. autonomous
    existing as an independent entity
  76. avarice
    reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
  77. aver
    declare or affirm solemnly and formally as true
  78. avocation
    an auxiliary activity
  79. avuncular
    being or relating to an uncle
  80. axiomatic
    evident without proof or argument
  81. bacchanalian
    used of riotously drunken merrymaking
  82. banal
    repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse
  83. banter
    light teasing repartee
  84. bard
    a lyric poet
  85. bawdy
    humorously vulgar
  86. beatify
    make blessedly happy
  87. bedizen
    decorate tastelessly
  88. behemoth
    someone or something that is abnormally large and powerful
  89. belie
    be in contradiction with
  90. beneficent
    doing or producing good
  91. bifurcate
    split or divide into two
  92. blandishment
    flattery intended to persuade
  93. blase
    uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence
  94. bolster
    support and strengthen
  95. bombastic
    ostentatiously lofty in style
  96. boorish
    ill-mannered and coarse in behavior or appearance
  97. bovine
    any of various wild or domestic cattle
  98. brazen
    not held back by conventional ideas of behavior
  99. broach
    bring up a topic for discussion
  100. bucolic
    devoted to raising sheep or cattle
  101. burgeon
    grow and flourish
  102. burnish
    polish and make shiny
  103. buttress
    a support usually of stone or brick
  104. cacophonous
    having an unpleasant sound
  105. cadge
    obtain or seek to obtain by wheedling
  106. callous
    emotionally hardened
  107. calumny
    a false accusation of an offense
  108. canard
    a deliberately misleading fabrication
  109. canon
    a collection of books accepted as holy scripture
  110. cant
    a slope in the turn of a road or track
  111. cantankerous
    stubbornly obstructive and unwilling to cooperate
  112. capricious
    determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
  113. captious
    tending to find and call attention to faults
  114. cardinal
    a vivid red color
  115. carnal
    of or relating to the body or flesh
  116. carping
    persistent petty and unjustified criticism
  117. cartography
    the making of maps and charts
  118. caste
    a hereditary social class among Hindus
  119. castigation
    verbal punishment
  120. cataclysm
    a sudden violent change in the earth's surface
  121. catalyst
    substance that initiates or accelerates a chemical reaction
  122. categorical
    relating to or included in a class or classes
  123. caucus
    meet to select a candidate or promote a policy
  124. causal
    involving an entity that produces an effect
  125. caustic
    capable of destroying or eating away by chemical action
  126. celestial
    relating to or inhabiting a divine heaven
  127. centrifugal
    tending to move away from the middle
  128. centripetal
    tending to move toward an area in the middle
  129. champion
    someone who has won first place in a competition
  130. chasten
    censure severely
  131. chicanery
    the use of tricks to deceive someone
  132. chivalry
    the medieval principles governing knightly conduct
  133. churlish
    having a bad disposition; surly
  134. circuitous
    deviating from a straight course
  135. clairvoyant
    someone who can perceive things not present to the senses
  136. clamor
    utter or proclaim insistently and noisily
  137. clique
    an exclusive circle of people with a common purpose
  138. coagulate
    change from a liquid to a thickened or solid state
  139. cloister
    residence that is a place of religious seclusion
  140. coalesce
    fuse or cause to come together
  141. coda
    the closing section of a musical composition
  142. codify
    organize into a system, such as a body of law
  143. cognizant
    having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
  144. collage
    a paste-up of pieces to form an artistic image
  145. commensurate
    corresponding in size or degree or extent
  146. compendium
    a publication containing a variety of works
  147. complacent
    contented to a fault with oneself or one's actions
  148. complaisant
    showing a cheerful willingness to do favors for others
  149. complement
    something added to embellish or make perfect
  150. compliant
    disposed to act in accordance with someone's wishes
  151. compunction
    a feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed
  152. concave
    curving inward
  153. conciliatory
    making or willing to make concessions
  154. concoct
    make something by mixing
  155. concomitant
    following or accompanying as a consequence
  156. condone
    excuse, overlook, or make allowances for
  157. confound
    be confusing or perplexing to
  158. congenial
    suitable to your needs
  159. conjugal
    relating to the relationship between a wife and husband
  160. connoisseur
    an expert able to appreciate a field
  161. conscript
    enroll into service compulsorily
  162. consecrate
    give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
  163. contend
    compete for something
  164. contentious
    showing an inclination to disagree
  165. continence
    voluntary control over urinary and fecal discharge
  166. contrite
    feeling or expressing pain or sorrow
  167. contumacious
    willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient
  168. conundrum
    a difficult problem
  169. contiguous
    having a common boundary or edge
  170. convention
    the act of meeting formally
  171. converge
    be adjacent or come together
  172. convex
    curving or bulging outward
  173. convivial
    occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
  174. convoluted
    highly complex or intricate
  175. copious
    large in number or quantity
  176. coquette
    talk or behave amorously, without serious intentions
  177. cornucopia
    a horn filled with fruit and grain symbolizing prosperity
  178. cosmology
    metaphysical study of the origin and nature of the universe
  179. covert
    secret or hidden
  180. covetous
    immoderately desirous of acquiring something
  181. cozen
    be dishonest with
  182. craven
    lacking even the rudiments of courage; abjectly fearful
  183. credence
    the mental attitude that something is believable
  184. credo
    any system of principles or beliefs
  185. daunt
    cause to lose courage
  186. dearth
    an insufficient quantity or number
  187. debauchery
    a wild gathering
  188. decorum
    propriety in manners and conduct
  189. defame
    charge falsely or with malicious intent
  190. default
    an option that is selected automatically
  191. deference
    courteous regard for people's feelings
  192. defunct
    no longer in force or use; inactive
  193. delineate
    represented accurately or precisely
  194. demographic
    a statistic characterizing human populations
  195. demotic
    of or for the common people
  196. demur
    politely refuse or take exception to
  197. denigrate
    attack the good name and reputation of someone
  198. denizen
    a plant or animal naturalized in a region
  199. denouement
    the outcome of a complex sequence of events
  200. deride
    treat or speak of with contempt
  201. derivative
    a compound obtained from another compound
  202. desiccate
    lacking vitality or spirit; lifeless
  203. desuetude
    a state of inactivity or disuse
  204. desultory
    marked by lack of definite plan, purpose, or enthusiasm
  205. deterrent
    something immaterial that interferes with action or progress
  206. detraction
    a petty disparagement
  207. diaphanous
    so thin as to transmit light
  208. diatribe
    thunderous verbal attack
  209. dichotomy
    a classification into two opposed parts or subclasses
  210. diffidence
    lack of self-assurance
  211. diffuse
    spread out; not concentrated in one place
  212. digression
    a message that departs from the main subject
  213. dirge
    a song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead person
  214. disabuse
    free somebody from an erroneous belief
  215. discerning
    having or revealing keen insight and good judgment
  216. discomfit
    cause to lose one's composure
  217. discordant
    not in agreement or harmony
  218. discredit
    the state of being held in low esteem
  219. discrepancy
    a difference between conflicting facts or claims or opinions
  220. discrete
    constituting a separate entity or part
  221. discretion
    power of making choices unconstrained by external agencies
  222. disingenuous
    not straightforward or candid
  223. disinterested
    unaffected by concern for one's own welfare
  224. disjointed
    taken apart at the points of connection
  225. dismiss
    stop associating with
  226. disparage
    express a negative opinion of
  227. disparate
    fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind
  228. dissemble
    behave unnaturally or affectedly
  229. disseminate
    cause to become widely known
  230. dissident
    a person who objects to some established policy
  231. dissolution
    separation into component parts
  232. dissonance
    disagreeable sounds
  233. distend
    cause to expand as if by internal pressure
  234. distill
    undergo condensation
  235. distrait
    having the attention diverted especially because of anxiety
  236. diverge
    move or draw apart
  237. divest
    take away possessions from someone
  238. divulge
    make known to the public information previously kept secret
  239. doctrinaire
    a stubborn person of arbitrary or arrogant opinions
  240. document
    a representation of a person's thinking with symbolic marks
  241. doggerel
    a comic verse of irregular measure
  242. dogmatic
    pertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritative
  243. dormant
    inactive but capable of becoming active
  244. dross
    worthless or dangerous material that should be removed
  245. dupe
    fool or hoax
  246. ebullient
    joyously unrestrained
  247. eclectic
    selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas
  248. effervescence
    the process of bubbling as gas escapes
  249. effete
    excessively self-indulgent, affected, or decadent
  250. efficacy
    capacity or power to produce a desired result
  251. effrontery
    audacious behavior that you have no right to
  252. egoism
    concern for your own interests and welfare
  253. egotistical
    having an inflated idea of one's own importance
  254. elegy
    a mournful poem; a lament for the dead
  255. elicit
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  256. elixir
    a substance believed to cure all ills
  257. elysian
    relating to the abode of the blessed after death
  258. emaciated
    very thin, especially from disease or hunger or cold
  259. embellish
    make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color
  260. emollient
    a substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin
  261. empirical
    derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
  262. emulate
    strive to equal or match, especially by imitating
  263. encomium
    a formal expression of praise
  264. endemic
    native to or confined to a certain region
  265. enervate
    weaken physically, mentally, or morally
  266. engender
    call forth
  267. enhance
    increase
  268. entomology
    the branch of zoology that studies insects
  269. enunciate
    express or state clearly
  270. ephemeral
    anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day
  271. epistemology
    the philosophical theory of knowledge
  272. equable
    not varying
  273. equanimity
    steadiness of mind under stress
  274. equivocation
    intentional vagueness or ambiguity
  275. errant
    straying from the right course or from accepted standards
  276. erudite
    having or showing profound knowledge
  277. esoteric
    understandable only by an enlightened inner circle
  278. essay
    an analytic or interpretive literary composition
  279. estimable
    deserving of respect or high regard
  280. ethnocentric
    centered on a specific ethnic group, usually one's own
  281. etiology
    the cause of a disease
  282. etymology
    a history of a word
  283. eugenics
    the promotion of controlled breeding in human populations
  284. eulogy
    a formal expression of praise for someone who has died
  285. euphemism
    an inoffensive expression substituted for an offensive one
  286. euphoria
    a feeling of great elation
  287. euthanasia
    the act of killing someone painlessly
  288. evince
    give expression to
  289. evocative
    serving to bring to mind
  290. exacerbate
    make worse
  291. exact
    marked by strict and complete accordance with fact
  292. exculpate
    pronounce not guilty of criminal charges
  293. execrable
    unequivocally detestable
  294. exhort
    spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts
  295. exigency
    a pressing or urgent situation
  296. existential
    relating to or dealing with the state of being
  297. exorcise
    expel through adjuration or prayers
  298. expatiate
    add details to clarify an idea
  299. expatriate
    a person who is voluntarily absent from home or country
  300. expiate
    make amends for
  301. explicate
    elaborate, as of theories and hypotheses
  302. expository
    serving to expound or set forth
  303. extant
    still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost
  304. extemporaneous
    with little or no preparation or forethought
  305. extirpate
    destroy completely, as if down to the roots
  306. extraneous
    not belonging to that in which it is contained
  307. extrapolation
    an inference about the future based on known facts
  308. extrinsic
    not forming an essential part of a thing
  309. facetious
    cleverly amusing in tone
  310. facilitate
    make easier
  311. factotum
    a servant employed to do a variety of jobs
  312. fallacious
    containing or based on incorrect reasoning
  313. fallow
    left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
  314. fatuous
    devoid of intelligence
  315. fauna
    all the animal life in a particular region or period
  316. fawning
    attempting to win favor by flattery
  317. felicitous
    exhibiting an agreeably appropriate manner or style
  318. feral
    wild and menacing
  319. fervor
    feelings of great warmth and intensity
  320. fetid
    offensively malodorous
  321. fetter
    a shackle for the ankles or feet
  322. fiat
    a legally binding command or decision
  323. fidelity
    the quality of being faithful
  324. filibuster
    a tactic for delaying legislation by making long speeches
  325. finesse
    subtly skillful handling of a situation
  326. fissure
    a long narrow depression in a surface
  327. flag
    a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
  328. fledgling
    young bird that has just become capable of flying
  329. flora
    all the plant life in a particular region or period
  330. florid
    elaborately or excessively ornamented
  331. flourish
    grow vigorously
  332. flout
    treat with contemptuous disregard
  333. flux
    a state of constant change
  334. foment
    try to stir up
  335. forbearance
    a delay in enforcing rights or claims or privileges
  336. forestall
    keep from happening or arising; make impossible
  337. formidable
    extremely impressive in strength or excellence
  338. forswear
    formally reject or disavow
  339. founder
    a person who establishes some institution
  340. fracas
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
  341. fractious
    easily irritated or annoyed
  342. fresco
    a mural done with watercolors on wet plaster
  343. frieze
    an ornament consisting of a horizontal sculptured band
  344. froward
    habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
  345. frugality
    prudence in avoiding waste
  346. fulminate
    cause to explode violently and with loud noise
  347. fulsome
    unpleasantly and excessively suave or ingratiating
  348. fusion
    the act of melding or melting together
  349. futile
    producing no result or effect
  350. gainsay
    take exception to
  351. gambol
    play or run boisterously
  352. garrulous
    full of trivial conversation
  353. gauche
    lacking social poise or refinement
  354. geniality
    a disposition to be friendly and approachable
  355. gerrymander
    divide voting districts unfairly and to one's advantage
  356. glib
    artfully persuasive in speech
  357. goad
    stab or urge on as if with a pointed stick
  358. gossamer
    a gauze fabric with an extremely fine texture
  359. gouge
    an impression in a surface, as made by a blow
  360. grandiloquent
    lofty in style
  361. gregarious
    temperamentally seeking and enjoying the company of others
  362. grouse
    popular game bird having a plump body and feathered legs
  363. guileless
    innocent and free of deceit
  364. guise
    an artful or simulated semblance
  365. gullible
    naive and easily deceived or tricked
  366. gustatory
    of or relating to the sense of taste
  367. halcyon
    a mythical bird said to breed at the winter solstice
  368. hallowed
    worthy of religious veneration
  369. harangue
    a loud bombastic declamation expressed with strong emotion
  370. harrowing
    causing extreme distress
  371. herbivorous
    feeding only on plants
  372. hermetic
    completely sealed or airtight
  373. heterodox
    characterized by departure from accepted standards
  374. hieroglyphic
    a writing system using picture symbols
  375. hirsute
    having or covered with hair
  376. histrionic
    overly dramatic or emotional
  377. homeostasis
    metabolic equilibrium maintained by biological mechanisms
  378. homily
    a sermon on a moral or religious topic
  379. homogeneous
    all of the same or similar kind or nature
  380. hyperbole
    extravagant exaggeration
  381. iconoclastic
    characterized by attack on established beliefs
  382. idolatry
    the worship of objects or images as gods
  383. igneous
    produced by the action of fire or intense heat
  384. imbroglio
    an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
  385. immutable
    not subject or susceptible to change or variation
  386. impair
    make worse or less effective
  387. impassive
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
  388. impecunious
    not having enough money to pay for necessities
  389. impede
    be a hindrance or obstacle to
  390. impermeable
    preventing especially liquids to pass or diffuse through
  391. imperturbable
    marked by extreme calm and composure
  392. impervious
    not admitting of passage or capable of being affected
  393. impinge
    infringe upon
  394. implacable
    incapable of being appeased or pacified
  395. implausible
    highly imaginative but unlikely
  396. implicit
    suggested though not directly expressed
  397. implode
    burst inward
  398. imprecation
    the act of calling down a curse that invokes evil
  399. impute
    attribute or credit to
  400. inadvertently
    without knowledge or intention
  401. incarnate
    possessing or existing in bodily form
  402. inchoate
    only partly in existence; imperfectly formed
  403. incongruity
    the quality of disagreeing
  404. inconsequential
    lacking worth or importance
  405. incorporate
    make into a whole or make part of a whole
  406. incursion
    the act of entering some territory or domain
  407. indeterminate
    not fixed or known in advance
  408. indigence
    a state of extreme poverty or destitution
  409. indolent
    disinclined to work or exertion
  410. ineluctable
    impossible to avoid or evade
  411. inert
    unable to move or resist motion
  412. ingenuous
    lacking in sophistication or worldliness
  413. inherent
    existing as an essential constituent or characteristic
  414. innocuous
    not injurious to physical or mental health
  415. insensible
    barely able to be perceived
  416. insinuate
    suggest in an indirect or covert way; give to understand
  417. insipid
    lacking interest or significance or impact
  418. insouciant
    marked by unconcern
  419. insularity
    lack of openness to new ideas; narrow-mindedness
  420. insuperable
    incapable of being surpassed or excelled
  421. intangible
    incapable of being perceived by the senses, especially touch
  422. interdict
    command against
  423. internecine
    within a group or organization
  424. interpolate
    insert words into texts, often falsifying it thereby
  425. interregnum
    the time between two reigns or governments
  426. intimate
    marked by close acquaintance, association, or familiarity
  427. intractable
    difficult to manage or mold
  428. intransigence
    stubborn refusal to compromise or change
  429. introspective
    given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences
  430. inundate
    fill or cover completely, usually with water
  431. inured
    made tough by habitual exposure
  432. invective
    abusive language used to express blame or censure
  433. inveigh
    complain bitterly
  434. inveigle
    influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering
  435. inveterate
    habitual
  436. invidious
    containing or implying a slight or showing prejudice
  437. irascible
    quickly aroused to anger
  438. irresolute
    uncertain how to act or proceed
  439. itinerant
    traveling from place to place to work
  440. itinerary
    an established line of travel or access
  441. jaundiced
    affected by yellowing of the skin
  442. jibe
    shift from one side of the ship to the other
  443. jocose
    characterized by jokes and good humor
  444. juggernaut
    a massive inexorable force
  445. junta
    a group of officers who rule a country after seizing power
  446. juxtapose
    place side by side
  447. kudos
    an expression of approval and commendation
  448. labile
    liable to change
  449. laconic
    brief and to the point
  450. lambaste
    censure severely or angrily
  451. lascivious
    driven by lust
  452. lassitude
    a feeling of lack of interest or energy
  453. latent
    potentially existing but not presently evident or realized
  454. laud
    praise, glorify, or honor
  455. lethargic
    deficient in alertness or activity
  456. levee
    an embankment built to prevent a river from overflowing
  457. levity
    a manner lacking seriousness
  458. liberal
    showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
  459. libertine
    unrestrained by convention or morality
  460. libido
    (psychoanalysis) a Freudian term for sexual urge or desire
  461. lilliputian
    very small
  462. limn
    make a portrait of
  463. limpid
    clear and bright
  464. linguistic
    consisting of or related to language
  465. litany
    a prayer consisting of a series of invocations by the priest with responses from the congregation
  466. literati
    well-educated people who are interested in books
  467. litigation
    a legal proceeding in a court
  468. log
    a segment of the trunk of a tree when stripped of branches
  469. loquacious
    full of trivial conversation
  470. lucid
    transparently clear; easily understandable
  471. lucre
    informal term for money
  472. luminous
    softly bright or radiant
  473. lustrous
    reflecting light
  474. Machiavelli
    a statesman of Florence who advocated a strong central government (1469-1527)
  475. machination
    a crafty and involved plot to achieve your ends
  476. maelstrom
    a powerful circular current of water
  477. magnanimity
    nobility and generosity of spirit
  478. malign
    speak unfavorably about
  479. malinger
    avoid responsibilities and duties, often by faking illness
  480. malleable
    capable of being shaped or bent
  481. maverick
    someone who exhibits independence in thought and action
  482. megalomania
    a psychological state characterized by delusions of grandeur
  483. menagerie
    a collection of live animals for study or display
  484. mendacious
    given to lying
  485. mendicant
    a pauper who lives by begging
  486. meretricious
    tastelessly showy
  487. mesmerize
    attract strongly, as if with a magnet
  488. metamorphosis
    striking change in appearance or character or circumstances
  489. metaphysics
    the philosophical study of being and knowing
  490. meteorological
    relating to atmospheric events, especially the weather
  491. meticulous
    marked by precise accordance with details
  492. mettle
    the courage to carry on
  493. mettlesome
    having a proud, courageous, and unbroken spirit
  494. microcosm
    a miniature model of something
  495. militate
    have force or influence; bring about an effect or change
  496. minatory
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
  497. minuscule
    very small
  498. minutia
    a small or minor detail
  499. misanthrope
    someone who dislikes people in general
  500. miscellany
    a collection containing a variety of sorts of things
  501. miscreant
    a person without moral scruples
  502. misogynist
    a misanthrope who dislikes women in particular
  503. mitigate
    lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of
  504. mnemonic
    of or relating to the practice of aiding the memory
  505. modicum
    a small or moderate or token amount
  506. mollify
    cause to be more favorably inclined
  507. monolithic
    imposing in size or bulk or solidity
  508. morose
    showing a brooding ill humor
  509. motley
    consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
  510. multifarious
    having many aspects
  511. mundane
    found in the ordinary course of events
  512. necromancy
    conjuring up the dead, especially for prophesying
  513. negate
    make ineffective by counterbalancing the effect of
  514. neologism
    a newly invented word or phrase
  515. neophyte
    a participant with no experience with an activity
  516. nexus
    the means of connection between things linked in series
  517. nonplussed
    filled with bewilderment
  518. nostalgia
    a longing for something past
  519. nostrum
    patent medicine whose efficacy is questionable
  520. nugatory
    of no real value
  521. obdurate
    stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing
  522. obsequious
    attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
  523. obsequious
    attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery
  524. obviate
    do away with
  525. occlude
    block passage through
  526. occult
    supernatural forces and events and beings collectively
  527. odyssey
    a long wandering and eventful journey
  528. officious
    intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner
  529. olfactory
    of or relating to the sense of smell
  530. oligarchy
    a political system governed by a few people
  531. onerous
    burdensome or difficult to endure
  532. onomatopoeia
    using words that imitate the sound they denote
  533. opprobrium
    a state of extreme dishonor
  534. ornithologist
    a zoologist who studies feathered animals
  535. oscillate
    move or swing from side to side regularly
  536. ostentatious
    intended to attract notice and impress others
  537. overweening
    presumptuously arrogant
  538. paean
    a hymn of praise
  539. paleontology
    the earth science that studies fossil organisms
  540. pallid
    pale, as of a person's complexion
  541. panegyric
    formally expressing praise
  542. paragon
    a perfect embodiment of a concept
  543. partisan
    a fervent and even militant proponent of something
  544. pathological
    relating to the study of diseases
  545. patois
    a regional dialect of a language
  546. paucity
    an insufficient quantity or number
  547. pedantic
    marked by a narrow focus on or display of learning
  548. pellucid
    transmitting light; able to be seen through with clarity
  549. penchant
    a strong liking or preference
  550. penury
    a state of extreme poverty or destitution
  551. peregrination
    traveling or wandering around
  552. peremptory
    putting an end to all debate or action
  553. perennial
    lasting an indefinitely long time
  554. perfidious
    tending to betray
  555. perfunctory
    hasty and without attention to detail; not thorough
  556. perigee
    the nearest point in an orbit around the Earth
  557. permeable
    allowing fluids or gases to pass or diffuse through
  558. perturb
    disturb in mind or make uneasy or cause to be worried
  559. pervasive
    spreading or spread throughout
  560. petulant
    easily irritated or annoyed
  561. phlegmatic
    showing little emotion
  562. phoenix
    a legendary bird that burned to death and emerged reborn
  563. physiognomy
    the human face
  564. piety
    righteousness by virtue of being religiously devout
  565. piquant
    having an agreeably pungent taste
  566. pique
    call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response
  567. placate
    cause to be more favorably inclined
  568. placid
    calm and free from disturbance
  569. plaintive
    expressing sorrow
  570. plasticity
    the property of being physically malleable
  571. platitude
    a trite or obvious remark
  572. platonic
    free from physical desire
  573. plethora
    extreme excess
  574. plumb
    exactly vertical
  575. plume
    the feather of a bird
  576. plummet
    drop sharply
  577. plutocracy
    a political system governed by the wealthy people
  578. porous
    full of holes
  579. poseur
    a person who habitually pretends to be something he is not
  580. pragmatic
    concerned with practical matters
  581. prate
    speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
  582. prattle
    speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly
  583. preamble
    a preliminary introduction, as to a statute or constitution
  584. precarious
    not secure; beset with difficulties
  585. precept
    a rule of personal conduct
  586. precipitate
    bring about abruptly
  587. precursor
    something indicating the approach of something or someone
  588. preempt
    acquire for oneself before others can do so
  589. prehensile
    adapted for grasping especially by wrapping around an object
  590. premonition
    an early warning about a future event
  591. presage
    a foreboding about what is about to happen
  592. presumptuous
    going beyond what is appropriate, permitted, or courteous
  593. preternatural
    existing outside of or not in accordance with nature
  594. prevaricate
    be deliberately ambiguous or unclear
  595. primordial
    having existed from the beginning
  596. pristine
    immaculately clean and unused
  597. probity
    complete and confirmed integrity
  598. problematic
    making great mental demands
  599. prodigal
    recklessly wasteful
  600. profound
    situated at or extending to great depth
  601. prohibitive
    tending to discourage, especially of prices
  602. proliferate
    grow rapidly
  603. propitiate
    make peace with
  604. propensity
    a natural inclination
  605. propriety
    correct behavior
  606. proscribe
    command against
  607. provident
    giving something useful for the future
  608. puissant
    powerful
  609. punctilious
    marked by precise accordance with details
  610. pungent
    strong and sharp to the sense of taste or smell
  611. purport
    have the often misleading appearance of being or intending
  612. pusillanimous
    lacking in courage, strength, and resolution
  613. quagmire
    a soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot
  614. quail
    a small game bird
  615. qualified
    meeting the proper standards and requirements for a task
  616. qualm
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
  617. query
    an instance of questioning
  618. quibble
    evade the truth of a point by raising irrelevant objections
  619. quiescent
    being quiet or still or inactive
  620. quorum
    a gathering of the minimal number of members of a group
  621. raconteur
    a person skilled in telling anecdotes
  622. rail
    a horizontal bar, usually of wood or metal
  623. raiment
    especially fine or decorative clothing
  624. ramification
    a consequence, especially one that causes complications
  625. rarefied
    of high moral or intellectual value
  626. rationale
    an explanation of the fundamental reasons
  627. rebus
    a puzzle consisting of pictures representing words
  628. recalcitrant
    stubbornly resistant to authority or control
  629. recant
    formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief
  630. recluse
    one who lives in solitude
  631. recondite
    difficult to understand
  632. redoubtable
    inspiring fear
  633. refractory
    stubbornly resistant to authority or control
  634. refract
    subject to change in direction of a propagating wave
  635. refulgent
    radiating or as if radiating light
  636. refute
    overthrow by argument, evidence, or proof
  637. regale
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
  638. relegate
    assign to a lower position
  639. remonstrate
    argue in protest or opposition
  640. renege
    fail to fulfill a promise or obligation
  641. reparation
    something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
  642. repine
    express discontent
  643. reprise
    a repetition of a short musical passage
  644. reproach
    express criticism towards
  645. reprobate
    a person without moral scruples
  646. repudiate
    refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
  647. rescind
    cancel officially
  648. resolution
    a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner
  649. resolve
    find a solution or answer
  650. reticent
    reluctant to draw attention to yourself
  651. reverent
    feeling or showing profound respect or veneration
  652. riposte
    a counterattack made immediately after successfully parrying
  653. rococo
    having excessive asymmetrical ornamentation
  654. rubric
    category name
  655. rue
    feel sorry for; be contrite about
  656. ruse
    a deceptive maneuver, especially to avoid capture
  657. sage
    a mentor in spiritual and philosophical topics
  658. salacious
    suggestive of or tending to moral looseness
  659. salubrious
    promoting health
  660. salutary
    tending to promote physical well-being; beneficial to health
  661. sanction
    official permission or approval
  662. sardonic
    disdainfully or ironically humorous
  663. sartorial
    of or relating to tailoring or clothing
  664. satiate
    fill to satisfaction
  665. saturate
    infuse or fill completely
  666. saturnine
    bitter or scornful
  667. satyr
    one of a class of woodland deities
  668. savor
    a particular taste or smell, especially an appealing one
  669. schematic
    represented in simplified or symbolic form
  670. secrete
    generate and separate from cells or bodily fluids
  671. sedition
    an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority
  672. sedulous
    marked by care and persistent effort
  673. seismic
    subject to or caused by an earthquake or earth vibration
  674. sensual
    marked by the appetites and passions of the body
  675. sensuous
    providing perceptible pleasure or gratification
  676. sentient
    endowed with feeling and unstructured consciousness
  677. servile
    submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior
  678. sextant
    an instrument for measuring angular distance
  679. shard
    a broken piece of a brittle artifact
  680. sidereal
    of or relating to the stars or constellations
  681. simian
    relating to or resembling an ape or a monkey
  682. simile
    a figure of speech expressing a resemblance between things
  683. sinecure
    a job that involves minimal duties
  684. singular
    being a single and separate person or thing
  685. sinuous
    curved or curving in and out
  686. skeptic
    someone who habitually doubts accepted beliefs
  687. sobriety
    the state of being unaffected or not intoxicated by alcohol
  688. sodden
    wet through and through; thoroughly wet
  689. solicitous
    full of anxiety and concern
  690. soliloquy
    speech you make to yourself
  691. solvent
    capable of meeting financial obligations
  692. somatic
    characteristic of the body as opposed to the mind or spirit
  693. soporific
    inducing sleep
  694. sordid
    foul and run-down and repulsive
  695. specious
    plausible but false
  696. spectrum
    a broad range of related objects, values, or qualities
  697. spendthrift
    someone who spends money freely or wastefully
  698. sporadic
    recurring in scattered or unpredictable instances
  699. squalor
    sordid dirtiness
  700. staccato
    (music) separating the notes
  701. stanch
    stop the flow of a liquid
  702. stentorian
    very loud or booming
  703. stigma
    a symbol of disgrace or infamy
  704. stint
    supply sparingly and with restricted quantities
  705. stipulate
    make an express demand or provision in an agreement
  706. stolid
    having or revealing little emotion or sensibility
  707. stratified
    deposited or arranged in horizontal layers
  708. stria
    a stripe or stripes of contrasting color
  709. stricture
    a principle that restricts the extent of something
  710. strident
    unpleasantly loud and harsh
  711. strut
    walk in a proud, confident way
  712. stultify
    deprive of strength or efficiency; make useless or worthless
  713. stupefy
    make someone dazed or foolish
  714. Stygian
    dark and dismal as of the river in Hades
  715. subpoena
    a writ issued to compel the attendance of a witness
  716. subside
    wear off or die down
  717. substantiate
    establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
  718. substantive
    having a firm basis in reality and therefore important
  719. subsume
    contain or include
  720. subversive
    in opposition to an established system or government
  721. succor
    assistance in time of difficulty
  722. suffrage
    a legal right to vote
  723. sundry
    consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
  724. supersede
    take the place or move into the position of
  725. supine
    lying face upward
  726. supplant
    take the place or move into the position of
  727. suppliant
    humbly entreating
  728. supplicant
    someone who prays to God
  729. supposition
    the cognitive process of conjecturing
  730. syllogism
    reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
  731. sylvan
    relating to or characteristic of wooded regions
  732. tacit
    implied by or inferred from actions or statements
  733. talisman
    a trinket thought to be a magical protection against evil
  734. tangential
    of superficial relevance if any
  735. tautology
    useless repetition
  736. taxonomy
    a classification of organisms based on similarities
  737. tenet
    a basic principle or belief that is accepted as true
  738. tenuous
    lacking substance or significance
  739. terrestrial
    of or relating to or characteristic of the planet Earth
  740. theocracy
    a political unit governed by a deity
  741. thespian
    a theatrical performer
  742. timbre
    the distinctive property of a complex sound
  743. tirade
    a speech of violent denunciation
  744. toady
    a person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage
  745. tome
    a large and scholarly book
  746. torpor
    a state of motor and mental inactivity
  747. torque
    a twisting force
  748. tortuous
    marked by repeated turns and bends
  749. tout
    advertise in strongly positive terms
  750. tractable
    easily managed
  751. transgression
    the violation of a law or a duty or moral principle
  752. transient
    lasting a very short time
  753. translucent
    allowing light to pass through diffusely
  754. travail
    use of physical or mental energy; hard work
  755. travesty
    a composition that imitates or misrepresents a style
  756. treatise
    a formal text that treats a particular topic systematically
  757. tremulous
    quivering as from weakness or fear
  758. trepidation
    a feeling of alarm or dread
  759. truculence
    stubborn and defiant aggressiveness
  760. tryst
    a secret rendezvous, especially a romantic one
  761. anomie
    lack of moral standards in a society
  762. tumid
    abnormally distended especially by fluids or gas
  763. turbid
    clouded as with sediment
  764. turgid
    ostentatiously lofty in style
  765. tutelary
    providing protective supervision
  766. uncanny
    surpassing the ordinary or normal
  767. undulation
    wavelike motion
  768. unfeigned
    not pretended; sincerely felt or expressed
  769. untenable
    incapable of being defended or justified
  770. untoward
    not in keeping with accepted standards of what is proper
  771. usury
    the act of lending money at an exorbitant rate of interest
  772. vacillate
    be undecided about something
  773. vacuous
    devoid of matter
  774. valedictory
    a farewell oration
  775. vapid
    lacking significance or liveliness or spirit or zest
  776. variegated
    having an assortment of colors
  777. vaunt
    show off
  778. venal
    capable of being corrupted
  779. vendetta
    a blood feud between members of opposing parties
  780. venerate
    regard with feelings of respect and reverence
  781. veracious
    habitually speaking the truth
  782. verbose
    using or containing too many words
  783. vertigo
    a reeling sensation; a feeling that you are about to fall
  784. vexation
    anger produced by some annoying irritation
  785. viable
    capable of life or normal growth and development
  786. vindictive
    disposed to seek revenge or intended for revenge
  787. virtuoso
    someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field
  788. visage
    the human face
  789. viscous
    having a relatively high resistance to flow
  790. vitiate
    make imperfect
  791. vituperative
    marked by harshly abusive criticism
  792. vivisection
    the act of operating on living animals
  793. vogue
    a current state of general acceptance and use
  794. volatile
    liable to lead to sudden change or violence
  795. vortex
    a powerful circular current of water
  796. warrant
    formal and explicit approval
  797. wary
    marked by keen caution and watchful prudence
  798. welter
    a confused multitude of things
  799. whimsical
    determined by chance or impulse rather than by necessity
  800. whimsy
    an odd or fanciful or capricious idea
  801. wistful
    showing pensive sadness
  802. zealot
    a fervent and even militant proponent of something
  803. zealotry
    fanatical devotion to a cause, belief, or idea
  804. de facto
    existing, whether with lawful authority or not
  805. deviant
    a person whose behavior does not conform to social norms
  806. defer
    yield to another's wish or opinion
  807. platonic
    free from physical desire
  808. discern
    perceive, recognize, or detect
  809. bionics
    application of biological principles to engineering systems
  810. heuristic
    a commonsense rule to help solve some problem
  811. equitable
    fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience
  812. guile
    shrewdness as demonstrated by being skilled in deception
  813. reductionism
    a theory that all complex systems can be completely understood in terms of their components
  814. inertia
    the tendency of something to stay in rest or motion
  815. pathos
    a quality that arouses emotions, especially pity or sorrow
  816. pedant
    a person who is preoccupied with rules and learning
Created on Fri Sep 14 01:23:33 EDT 2012

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