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  1. intimate
    having mutual interests or affections
  2. flinch
    draw back, as with fear or pain
  3. gripe
    complain
  4. disenfranchise
    deprive of voting rights
  5. zest
    a tart spicy quality
  6. vamoose
    leave suddenly
  7. cicerone
    a guide who conducts and informs sightseers
  8. honcho
    a manager or person who is in charge
  9. tenor
    the adult male singing voice above baritone
  10. hearten
    give encouragement to
  11. tenderfoot
    an inexperienced person
  12. finesse
    subtly skillful handling of a situation
  13. effete
    excessively self-indulgent, affected, or decadent
  14. dreck
    merchandise that is shoddy or inferior
  15. ungainly
    lacking grace in movement or posture
  16. scald
    burn with a hot liquid or steam
  17. repose
    freedom from activity
  18. plaintively
    in a manner expressing sorrow
  19. funk
    a state of nervous depression
  20. warren
    a colony of rabbits
  21. glean
    gather, as of natural products
  22. mysticism
    a religion based on communion with an ultimate reality
  23. inscrutability
    the quality of being impossible to investigate
  24. meretricious
    tastelessly showy
  25. piquant
    having an agreeably pungent taste
  26. reign
    royal authority; the dominion of a monarch
  27. gait
    an animal's manner of moving
  28. wry
    humorously sarcastic or mocking
  29. imbroglio
    an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation
  30. gusto
    vigorous and enthusiastic enjoyment
  31. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
  32. fiasco
    a complete failure or collapse
  33. antipodean
    relating to or situated at opposite sides of the earth
  34. traipse
    walk or tramp about
  35. brood
    hang over, as of something threatening, dark, or menacing
  36. badger
    sturdy carnivorous burrowing mammal with strong claws
  37. lupine
    of or relating to or characteristic of wolves
  38. ogre
    (folklore) a giant who likes to eat human beings
  39. daft
    foolish or mentally irregular
  40. bequeath
    leave or give, especially by will after one's death
  41. sophistry
    a deliberately invalid argument in the hope of deceiving
  42. transmute
    change or alter in form, appearance, or nature
  43. lodestar
    guiding star
  44. exhortation
    an earnest attempt at persuasion
  45. august
    profoundly honored
  46. peremptory
    putting an end to all debate or action
  47. lambaste
    censure severely or angrily
  48. divulge
    make known to the public information previously kept secret
  49. immolate
    kill as a sacrifice, especially by fire
  50. brazen
    not held back by conventional ideas of behavior
  51. lurid
    glaringly vivid and graphic; marked by sensationalism
  52. exegesis
    an explanation or critical interpretation
  53. quirk
    a strange attitude or habit
  54. dour
    showing a brooding ill humor
  55. veto
    a vote that blocks a decision
  56. cull
    remove something that has been rejected
  57. gauge
    an instrument for measuring and indicating a quantity
  58. straits
    a difficult juncture
  59. rogue
    a deceitful and unreliable scoundrel
  60. skew
    turn or place at an angle
  61. convivial
    occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
  62. pretence
    the act of giving a false appearance
  63. inroad
    an encroachment or intrusion
  64. impute
    attribute or credit to
  65. effusion
    an unrestrained expression of emotion
  66. contrive
    make or work out a plan for; devise
  67. crotchet
    a strange attitude or habit
  68. cognizant
    having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
  69. decrepitude
    a state of deterioration due to old age or long use
  70. infernal
    characteristic of or resembling Hell
  71. prodigious
    great in size, force, extent, or degree
  72. credence
    the mental attitude that something is believable
  73. redux
    brought back
  74. lingo
    a characteristic language of a particular group
  75. delve
    turn up, loosen, or remove earth
  76. strident
    unpleasantly loud and harsh
  77. dissension
    disagreement among those expected to cooperate
  78. stoicism
    an indifference to pleasure or pain
  79. coquetry
    playful behavior intended to arouse sexual interest
  80. appeasement
    the act of acceding to demands
  81. onus
    a burdensome or difficult concern
  82. despotic
    having the characteristics of a tyrannical ruler
  83. quail
    a small game bird
  84. quiescent
    being quiet or still or inactive
  85. quizzical
    perplexed
  86. quiddity
    an evasion of an argument by raising irrelevant objections
  87. quisling
    someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force
  88. colloquium
    an address to an academic meeting or seminar
  89. debauch
    corrupt morally or by intemperance or sensuality
  90. fallow
    undeveloped but potentially useful
  91. scour
    examine minutely
  92. sphinx
    a mysterious or enigmatic person
  93. catty
    deliberately and often slyly spiteful or cruel
  94. onslaught
    an offensive against an enemy
  95. decry
    express strong disapproval of
  96. forswear
    formally reject or disavow
  97. tussle
    disorderly fighting
  98. regnant
    exercising power or authority
  99. lurk
    lie in wait or behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
  100. laurel
    a small aromatic tree with shiny dark green leaves
  101. relativism
    the doctrine that judgment is based on situational context
  102. chauvinist
    a person with a prejudiced belief in his own superiority
  103. rebuff
    a deliberate discourteous act
  104. defrock
    remove from one's position in the church
  105. eponymous
    relating to a name derived from a person
  106. pilfer
    make off with belongings of others
  107. steward
    someone who manages property or affairs for someone else
  108. anguish
    extreme distress of body or mind
  109. gore
    coagulated blood from a wound
  110. lobbyist
    someone who is employed to persuade how legislators vote
  111. idealistic
    motivated by noble or moral beliefs rather than practicality
  112. philippic
    a speech of violent denunciation
  113. crescendo
    a gradual increase in loudness
  114. hale
    exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health
  115. pilfer
    make off with belongings of others
  116. melange
    a varied mixture or assortment of things
  117. priggish
    exaggeratedly or self-righteously proper
  118. somber
    serious and gloomy in character
  119. pontificate
    administer a pontifical office
  120. triage
    sorting and allocating aid on the basis of need
  121. gauche
    lacking social poise or refinement
  122. uncouth
    lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
  123. explanation
    making something understandable
  124. purview
    the range of interest or activity that can be anticipated
  125. naive
    marked by or showing unaffected simplicity
  126. pedagogy
    the profession of a teacher
  127. sophist
    someone whose reasoning is subtle and often specious
  128. circumspect
    careful to consider potential consequences and avoid risk
  129. delude
    be dishonest with
  130. puckish
    naughtily or annoyingly playful
  131. uninhibited
    not restrained
  132. bootless
    unproductive of success
  133. pyrrhic
    relating to a victory that is offset by staggering losses
  134. triage
    sorting and allocating aid on the basis of need
  135. uncouth
    lacking refinement or cultivation or taste
  136. debauchery
    a wild gathering
  137. putative
    purported
  138. conjecture
    believe especially on uncertain or tentative grounds
  139. myrmidon
    a follower who carries out orders without question
  140. gallivant
    wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
  141. traipse
    walk or tramp about
  142. tergiversate
    be deliberately ambiguous or unclear in order to mislead
  143. sere
    having lost all moisture
  144. passe
    out of fashion
  145. garland
    a circular band of flowers or other foliage
  146. contraband
    distributed or sold illicitly
  147. smattering
    a slight or superficial understanding of a subject
  148. dilapidated
    in a state of decay, ruin, or deterioration
  149. sacrilegious
    grossly irreverent toward what is considered holy
  150. retrograde
    moving or directed or tending in a backward direction
  151. unrequited
    not returned in kind
  152. connive
    form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner
  153. arraignment
    the act of calling someone before a court to be formally charged and to enter a plea
  154. lurch
    move suddenly or as if unable to control one's movements
  155. riddled
    spread throughout
  156. glower
    look angry or sullen as if to signal disapproval
  157. valorous
    having or showing the qualities of a hero or heroine
  158. sibilant
    of speech sounds forcing air through a constricted passage
  159. gelid
    extremely cold
  160. wreak
    cause to happen or to occur as a consequence
  161. awry
    turned or twisted to one side
  162. quip
    a witty saying
  163. skint
    lacking funds
  164. convulsion
    a violent uncontrollable contraction of muscles
  165. reconnaissance
    the act of scouting, especially to gain information
  166. pith
    spongelike central cylinder of the stems of flowering plants
  167. cataclysmic
    severely destructive
  168. discountenance
    look with disfavor on
  169. vagary
    an unexpected and inexplicable change in something
  170. dissident
    a person who objects to some established policy
  171. psychosis
    severe mental disorder in which contact with reality is lost
  172. taunt
    harass with persistent criticism or carping
  173. tarnish
    make or become dirty or dull, as by exposure to air
  174. plodding
    (of movement) slow and laborious
  175. curate
    a person authorized to conduct religious worship
  176. figurehead
    a leader in name only, without real power or authority
  177. fracas
    a noisy, angry argument or fight between people
  178. epithet
    descriptive word or phrase
  179. nexus
    the means of connection between things linked in series
  180. liturgy
    a rite or body of rites prescribed for public worship
  181. macerate
    soften and cause to disintegrate as a result
  182. lope
    run easily
  183. incubus
    an evil spirit thought to visit people while they sleep
  184. waffle
    a batter cake baked and pressed between two patterned metal plates
  185. quisling
    someone who collaborates with an enemy occupying force
  186. apposite
    being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
  187. pyre
    wood heaped for burning a dead body as a funeral rite
  188. pretension
    the advancing of a claim
  189. lint
    fine ravellings of cotton or linen fibers
  190. ironclad
    inflexibly entrenched and unchangeable
  191. synapse
    the junction between two neurons
  192. dissemble
    behave unnaturally or affectedly
  193. dally
    behave carelessly or indifferently
  194. stickler
    someone who insists on something
  195. jibe
    shift from one side of the ship to the other
  196. qualm
    uneasiness about the fitness of an action
  197. fallow
    left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
  198. caulk
    a waterproof filler and sealant used in building and repair
  199. meander
    move or cause to move in a winding or curving course
  200. incommunicado
    without means, right, or desire to be in contact with others
  201. seethe
    foam as if boiling
  202. dissuade
    turn away from by persuasion
  203. grim
    harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance
  204. dwindle
    become smaller or lose substance
  205. prerogative
    a right reserved exclusively by a person or group
  206. decimate
    kill in large numbers
  207. truce
    a state of peace agreed to between opponents
  208. countermand
    cancel officially
  209. regale
    occupy in an agreeable, entertaining or pleasant fashion
  210. miff
    a state of irritation or annoyance
  211. misdemeanor
    a crime less serious than a felony
  212. jettison
    throw away, of something encumbering
  213. obituary
    a notice of someone's death
  214. callous
    emotionally hardened
  215. glib
    artfully persuasive in speech
  216. chide
    scold or reprimand severely or angrily
  217. upbraid
    express criticism towards
  218. whip
    an instrument with a handle and a flexible lash
  219. referendum
    a legislative act referred for approval to a popular vote
  220. swath
    a path or strip (also figurative)
  221. hindsight
    understanding the nature of an event after it has happened
  222. excoriate
    express strong disapproval of
  223. recession
    the act of returning control
  224. apportioned
    given out in portions
  225. contortion
    a tortuous and twisted shape or position
  226. leniency
    a disposition to yield to the wishes of someone
  227. swindle
    deprive of by deceit
  228. unconscionable
    greatly exceeding bounds of reason or moderation
  229. probity
    complete and confirmed integrity
  230. preposterous
    inviting ridicule
  231. pithy
    concise and full of meaning
  232. slack
    not tense or taut
  233. vicissitude
    a variation in circumstances or fortune
  234. akimbo
    with hands on hips and elbows extending outward
  235. emblem
    special design representing a quality, type, or group
  236. utilitarian
    having a useful function
  237. mendacious
    given to lying
  238. vanquish
    defeat in a competition, race, or conflict
  239. berate
    censure severely or angrily
  240. coda
    the closing section of a musical composition
  241. syncopated
    stressing a normally weak beat
  242. platitude
    a trite or obvious remark
  243. unbeknownst
    occurring or existing without the knowledge of
  244. debauchery
    a wild gathering
  245. desuetude
    a state of inactivity or disuse
  246. risible
    arousing or provoking laughter
  247. verdant
    characterized by abundance of vegetation and green foliage
  248. jejune
    lacking interest or significance or impact
  249. convivial
    occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company
  250. sanguinary
    accompanied by bloodshed
  251. modish
    in the current fashion or style
  252. motley
    consisting of a haphazard assortment of different kinds
  253. obloquy
    state of disgrace resulting from public abuse
  254. minutia
    a small or minor detail
  255. dissipation
    breaking up and scattering by dispersion
  256. demeanor
    the way a person behaves toward other people
  257. shyster
    a person who uses unscrupulous or unethical methods
  258. puritanical
    of or relating to a certain group of English Protestants
  259. sinister
    wicked, evil, or dishonorable
  260. lenient
    inclined to be permissive or indulgent
  261. feckless
    generally incompetent and ineffectual
  262. covet
    wish, long, or crave for
  263. incensed
    angered at something unjust or wrong
  264. effusive
    uttered with unrestrained enthusiasm
  265. apposite
    being of striking appropriateness and pertinence
  266. nigh
    near in time or place or relationship
  267. squander
    spend thoughtlessly; throw away
  268. reap
    get or derive
  269. tenure
    the term during which some position is held
  270. rapacious
    living by preying on other animals
  271. appraisal
    the classification of something with respect to its worth
  272. cogency
    the quality of being valid and rigorous
  273. abnegation
    the denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief
  274. castigation
    verbal punishment
  275. iniquitous
    characterized by injustice or wickedness
  276. fatuous
    devoid of intelligence
  277. precarious
    not secure; beset with difficulties
  278. fallacious
    containing or based on incorrect reasoning
  279. apt
    mentally quick and resourceful
  280. menial
    relating to unskilled work, especially domestic work
  281. fallow
    left unplowed and unseeded during a growing season
  282. minimalist
    a conservative advocating only minor reforms in government
  283. repudiate
    refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid
  284. innervate
    stimulate to action
  285. castrate
    remove the testicles of a male animal
  286. substantiate
    establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts
  287. gnarled
    old and twisted and covered in lines
  288. gallivant
    wander aimlessly in search of pleasure
  289. browbeat
    discourage or frighten with threats or a domineering manner
  290. slight
    small in quantity or degree
  291. jeremiad
    a long and mournful complaint
  292. render
    give or supply
  293. foray
    a sudden short attack
  294. canny
    showing self-interest and shrewdness in dealing with others
  295. canon
    a body of rules established as valid and fundamental
  296. sinewy
    possessing physical strength and weight; rugged and powerful
  297. trundle
    move slowly or heavily
  298. trudge
    a long difficult walk
  299. swivet
    a panic or extreme discomposure
  300. windfall
    a sudden happening that brings good fortune
  301. pollyannaish
    pleasantly (even unrealistically) optimistic
  302. hackles
    a feeling of anger and animosity
  303. corroborate
    support with evidence or authority or make more certain
  304. lacerate
    deeply hurt the feelings of; distress
    heart rendering
  305. stagflation
    slow economic growth with high prices and unemployment
  306. envoy
    someone on a mission to represent another's interests
  307. importune
    beg persistently and urgently
  308. devious
    characterized by insincerity or deceit
  309. countenance
    the appearance conveyed by a person's face
  310. cocooning
    retreating to the seclusion of your home
  311. gauche
    lacking social poise or refinement
  312. ensemble
    a coordinated outfit (set of clothing)
  313. loco
    informal or slang terms for mentally irregular
  314. ersatz
    an artificial or inferior substitute or imitation
  315. red herring
    something intended to distract attention from the main issue
  316. uppity
    arrogant or self-important
  317. adumbrate
    describe roughly or give the main points or summary of
  318. yen
    a desire for something or to do something
  319. amok
    in a murderous frenzy
  320. gorge
    overeat or eat immodestly
  321. bland
    lacking taste or flavor or tang
  322. vicarious
    experienced at secondhand
  323. expeditiously
    with efficiency; in an efficient manner
  324. nub
    the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
  325. divest
    deprive of status or authority
  326. semblance
    the outward or apparent appearance or form of something
  327. slur
    a negative or offensive remark about someone
  328. apt
    being of striking appropriateness and relevance
  329. contingency
    a possible event or occurrence or result
  330. appertain
    be a part or attribute of
  331. inducement
    a positive motivational influence
  332. palladium
    a silver-white metallic element of the platinum group that resembles platinum; occurs in some copper and nickel ores; does not tarnish at ordinary temperatures and is used (alloyed with gold) in jewelry
  333. concede
    acknowledge defeat
  334. keepsake
    something of sentimental value
  335. riant
    showing or feeling mirth or pleasure or happiness
  336. forbearance
    good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence
  337. encumber
    hold back, impede, or weigh down
  338. augury
    an event indicating important things to come
  339. plight
    a situation from which extrication is difficult
  340. implicate
    bring into intimate and incriminating connection
  341. rue
    feel sorry for; be contrite about
  342. minatory
    threatening or foreshadowing evil or tragic developments
  343. broach
    bring up a topic for discussion
  344. lithe
    moving and bending with ease
  345. libation
    the act of pouring a liquid offering as a religious ceremony
  346. pastiche
    a work of art that imitates the style of some previous work
  347. rankle
    make resentful or angry
  348. bowdlerize
    edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate
  349. peculation
    the fraudulent appropriation of funds or property entrusted to your care but actually owned by someone else
  350. truckle
    try to gain favor by cringing or flattering
  351. sleight
    adroitness in using the hands
  352. patois
    a regional dialect of a language
  353. syllogism
    reasoning in which a conclusion is derived from two premises
  354. vibrant
    vigorous and animated
  355. jostle
    make one's way by pushing or shoving
  356. fusty
    old-fashioned and out of date
  357. cloister
    seclude from the world
  358. cognoscente
    an expert able to appreciate a field
  359. renunciation
    the state of having rejected your beliefs or a cause
  360. albatross
    something that hinders or handicaps
  361. harbor
    maintain, as a theory, thought, or feeling
  362. reparation
    something done or paid in expiation of a wrong
  363. emblazon
    decorate, adorn, or inscribe with a design
  364. scam
    deprive of by deceit
  365. pugilistic
    of or relating to boxing
  366. seer
    a person with unusual powers of foresight
  367. fungible
    a commodity that is freely interchangeable with another
  368. arrears
    an unpaid overdue debt
  369. proviso
    a stipulated condition
  370. panache
    distinctive and stylish elegance
  371. peremptory
    not allowing contradiction or refusal
  372. pejorative
    expressing disapproval
  373. premise
    a statement that is held to be true
  374. extricate
    release from entanglement or difficulty
  375. picayune
    small and of little importance
  376. behest
    an authoritative command or request
  377. cobble
    repair or mend
  378. emblematic
    serving as a visible symbol for something abstract
  379. roil
    be agitated
  380. gestation
    the conception and development of an idea or plan
  381. ensemble
    an assemblage of parts considered as forming a whole
  382. aficionado
    a serious devotee of some activity, genre, or performer
  383. impresario
    a sponsor who books and stages public entertainments
  384. slough
    cast off hair, skin, horn, or feathers
  385. debauch
    a wild gathering
  386. reprimand
    rebuke formally
  387. choreograph
    plan and oversee the development and details of
  388. posit
    take as a given; assume as a postulate or axiom
  389. deracinate
    pull up by or as if by the roots
  390. epiphany
    a divine manifestation
  391. vigil
    a purposeful surveillance to guard or observe
  392. niggling
    (informal) small and of little importance
  393. sedition
    an illegal action inciting resistance to lawful authority
  394. purveyor
    someone who supplies provisions, especially food
  395. summarily
    quickly and without following customary procedures
  396. secede
    withdraw from an organization or polity
  397. reconnoiter
    explore, often with a goal of finding something or somebody
  398. temporize
    draw out a discussion or process in order to gain time
  399. bruit
    tell or spread rumors
  400. cozen
    cheat or trick
  401. factoid
    unverified information given credibility through repetition
  402. tremulous
    quivering as from weakness or fear
  403. crass
    so unrefined as to be offensive or insensitive
  404. treacly
    overly sweet
  405. nary
    colloquial for 'not a' or 'not one' or 'never a'
  406. bravura
    brilliant and showy technical skill
  407. leery
    openly distrustful and unwilling to confide
  408. odyssey
    a long wandering and eventful journey
  409. orotund
    full and rich, of sounds
  410. obloquy
    state of disgrace resulting from public abuse
  411. pensive
    deeply or seriously thoughtful
  412. exhort
    urge or force in an indicated direction
  413. equipoise
    equality of distribution
  414. gamut
    a complete extent or range
  415. wherewithal
    the necessary means (especially financial means)
  416. evangelist
    a preacher of the Christian gospel
  417. petty
    small and of little importance
  418. grimace
    contort the face to indicate a certain mental state
  419. gibe
    an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile
  420. rapt
    feeling great delight and interest
  421. incredulity
    doubt about the truth of something
  422. menial
    relating to unskilled work, especially domestic work
  423. unwonted
    out of the ordinary
  424. fudge
    avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing
  425. snipe
    attack in speech or writing
  426. fey
    slightly insane
  427. quash
    put down by force or intimidation
  428. marque
    a name given to a product or service
  429. carp
    raise trivial objections
  430. waif
    a homeless child especially one forsaken or orphaned
  431. bode
    indicate by signs
  432. deem
    judge or regard in a particular way
  433. demigod
    a person with great powers and abilities
  434. exiguous
    extremely scanty
  435. devolve
    pass on or delegate to another
  436. codicil
    a supplement to a will
  437. allegation
    a formal accusation against somebody
  438. injection
    the forceful insertion of a substance under pressure
  439. indemnify
    make amends for; pay compensation for
  440. escrow
    an agreement delivering property or money to a third party
  441. revelation
    the act of making something evident
  442. reprisal
    a retaliatory action against an enemy
  443. besmirch
    charge falsely or with malicious intent
  444. conformity
    correspondence in form, type, or appearance
  445. smoldering
    showing scarcely suppressed anger
  446. reconcile
    come to terms
  447. trove
    a valuable collection or treasure found hidden
  448. ornery
    having a difficult and contrary disposition
  449. vainglorious
    feeling self-importance
  450. squeamish
    easily disturbed or disgusted by unpleasant things
Created on Thu Sep 12 14:02:10 EDT 2013 (updated Sun Sep 22 06:09:44 EDT 2013)

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