Establish Emit Vital

- Establish
v. to enact v. to found (a business, group, school, etc.)
They established a law that made it illegal to drive after drinking any amount of alcohol. Our group established a new branch in Chicago.

- Emit
v. to discharge, give forth, or release
Plants consume carbon dioxide and emitoxygen.

- Vital
adj. urgently necessary
It is vital that you respond by the deadline.

Adequate Stark Assertion

- Adequate
adj. having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose
Though his resume was adequate, the company doubted whether he'd be a good fit.

- Stark
adj. very plain; devoid of any details or features
Looking out at the stark landscape, I felt a keen sense of isolation.

- Assertion
n. a strong declaration
His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh.

Exacerbate Modest Authenticity

- Exacerbate
v. to make worse or increase the severity of
The doctor told me not to run as it can exacerbate my knee injury.

- Modest
adj. simple and humble adj. small in size or amount
They moved into a modest house in the countryside. I received a modest sum of money for my help at the company event.

- Authenticity
n. the quality of being real and true instead of fake and contrived
The police officer doubted the authenticityof the suspect's story.

Endure Erratic Abysmal

- Endure
v. to withstand, sustain, or hold out against
I can't endure this wait any longer. Will Stanford accept or reject me?

- Erratic
adj. having no fixed course; deviating from the norm
The car became erratic after slipping on ice.

- Abysmal
adj. extremely bad
I got an abysmal grade on my research paper!

Temperament Conceive Scorn

- Temperament
n. usual mood or feelings
She had a hostile temperament, making her intimidating to most people.

- Conceive
v. to imagine or come up with
The plan to build the city was originally conceived in the early 1900s.

- Scorn
v. to look down on with disdain
It's difficult for me not to scorn those who use improper grammar.

Hostile Ambiguous Decree

- Hostile
adj. harmful, dangerous
The voices around the corner sounded angry, hostile even.

- Ambiguous
adj. unclear or vague in meaning
Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.

- Decree
v. to declare formally and with authority
The president decreed that Halloween would henceforth be a national holiday.

Adapt Indifference Analogous

- Adapt
v. to make suit a new purpose v. to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation
The US has adapted many foreign foods to better suit the tastes of Americans. Dogs are known for their ability to quickly adapt to their environments.

- Indifference
n. apathy, emotional detachment
The girl's indifference toward her brother upset their parents.

- Analogous
adj. similar but not identical
Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.

Anomaly Materialistic Dubious

- Anomaly
n. something different from the norm
This result is an anomaly and very rarely happens.

- Materialistic
adj. superficial; focus on material possessions
Many people accuse Americans of being materialistic.

- Dubious
adj. doubtful, questionable
The man's claims to the throne were dubious since nobody knew where he'd come from.

Susceptible Eccentric Ambiguous

- Susceptible
adj. to be vulnerable (to something)
Children are more susceptible to certain illnesses than adults are.

- Eccentric
adj. peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm
She's a little eccentric but still fun to be around.

- Ambiguous
adj. unclear or vague in meaning
Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.

Confine Irreconcilable Decree

- Confine
v. to put limits on; to restrict
We are going to confine the use of this drinking fountain.

- Irreconcilable
adj. incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon
The couple's differences were ultimately irreconcilable, giving them no choice but to break up.

- Decree
v. to declare formally and with authority
The president decreed that Halloween would henceforth be a national holiday.

Envy Persecute Bear

- Envy
n. excessive jealousy v. to admire and be jealous of
His envy of her is quite obvious. She envies her coworker's social skills.

- Persecute
v. to cause suffering to
They will persecute anyone who doesn't agree with their views of the world.

- Bear
v. to have as a characteristic v. to have (a child) v. to bring forth v. to put up with
She bears a strong resemblance to your mother. Judy will bear her first child last year. My garden is going to bear pumpkins this year. I can't bear her complaining any longer!

Vital Flourish Contradict

- Vital
adj. urgently necessary
It is vital that you respond by the deadline.

- Flourish
v. to prosper, grow, or make fast progress
After one year, the tiny plants had flourished into a breathtaking garden.

- Contradict
v. to be in contrast with
The camera footage contradicts his alibi.

Transparent Competent Aesthetic

- Transparent
adj. see-through; so thin that light can shine through adj. truthful or easy to perceive
Stained window glass isn't as transparentas regular window glass is. She was transparent about her plans to end her marriage.

- Competent
adj. sufficiently qualified
We need to hire a competent web developer to create a good website for our company.

- Aesthetic
adj. relating to beauty or refined taste
The aesthetic decorations at the wedding reception made you feel as if you were a character in a fairy tale.

Substantiate Discord Aesthetic

- Substantiate
v. to strengthen with new evidence or facts
It is important for scientists to substantiatetheir theories whenever possible.

- Discord
n. disagreement
Disputes over money caused intense discord in the family.

- Aesthetic
adj. relating to beauty or refined taste
The aesthetic decorations at the wedding reception made you feel as if you were a character in a fairy tale.

Locomotion Demur Counteract

- Locomotion
n. movement
Physics involves the study of locomotion.

- Demur
v. to object to
She demurred at my request to transfer to a different department.

- Counteract
v. to work in opposition to
This ingredient seems to counteract the other ones.

Bittersweet Confine Ubiquitous

- Bittersweet
adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness
The ending of the romance movie was bittersweet.

- Confine
v. to put limits on; to restrict
We are going to confine the use of this drinking fountain.

- Ubiquitous
adj. being everywhere at once
Cell phones are ubiquitous these days.

Controversial Spur Promulgate

- Controversial
adj. highly debatable and causing contention
Millions of viewers watched the controversial debate take place.

- Spur
v. to stimulate or incite
Her bravery spurred others to act.

- Promulgate
v. to put into law or formally declare
The ruler will at last promulgate an amnesty with the neighboring countries.

Prompt Diligence Vow

- Prompt
adj. punctual, on time n. a cue to begin something; instructions v. to incite, propel, or cause to act
She is always prompt when it comes to turning in her homework. I had to write an essay based on a prompt. The possibility of a scholarship promptedhim to apply to Harvard.

- Diligence
n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task
Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.

- Vow
v. to promise
My brother quickly broke his vow to never eat chocolate again.

Unmitigated Feasibility Emphatic

- Unmitigated
adj. downright, utter, total
My speech was an unmitigated disaster!

- Feasibility
n. the practicality or possibility of something
The feasibility of her project was doubtful; she'd have to go all the way to Antarctica and back before the school year ended.

- Emphatic
adj. very expressive; using emphasis
Her emphatic smile told me she was excited to ride the roller coaster.

Infer Potent Potent

- Infer
v. to guess, conclude, or derive by reasoning
You can infer from this quotation that the writer didn't care for "pretty" language.

- Potent
adj. having great influence adj. having a strong, chemical effect
The bald eagle is a potent symbol of the US. The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately!

- Potent
adj. having great influence adj. having a strong, chemical effect
The bald eagle is a potent symbol of the US. The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately!

Sinister Counterargument Fundamental

- Sinister
adj. ominous, evil
Medieval peasants believed sinisterdemons could harm humans.

- Counterargument
n. an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument
Make sure to include a counterargumentin your essay so that you can show you've considered the topic from all perspectives.

- Fundamental
adj. the most essential or most basic part
A thesis is arguably the most fundamentalpart of an essay.

Artificial Paramount Fluctuate

- Artificial
adj. something made; not occurring naturally
Many candies use artificial flavors to make them taste fruity.

- Paramount
adj. predominant, superior, most important
Our paramount concern is the safety of our employees.

- Fluctuate
v. to be unstable; to rise and fall
Stocks can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to determine when to buy or sell one.

Frankly Exhilarating Diversification

- Frankly
adv. directly, clearly
I frankly don't see the point in learning to drive.

- Exhilarating
adj. invigorating, stimulating, or exciting
The music playing at the club was catchy and exhilarating.

- Diversification
n. the act of becoming diverse
Lately, there's been noticeable diversification of students at higher institutions.

Squalid Eloquent Pragmatic

- Squalid
adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy
The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator.

- Eloquent
adj. having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)
His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling.

- Pragmatic
adj. practical, useful
It's not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.

Reconsideration Endow Disparage

- Reconsideration
n. thinking again about a previously made choice
The judges' reconsideration of her performance resulted in her victory.

- Endow
v. to equip or bestow (usu. a quality or ability)
According to the myth, the gods endowedhim with the gift of healing.

- Disparage
v. to belittle or speak down to
A good boss is stern but never disparageshis or her employees.

Scrutinize Eloquent Deficient

- Scrutinize
v. to examine carefully and critically
The teacher scrutinized her students' essays.

- Eloquent
adj. having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)
His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling.

- Deficient
adj. not enough in degree or amount
I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient.

Capture Emit Irreconcilable

- Capture
v. to trap or take possession of v. to successfully represent or imitate v. to captivate, mesmerize v. to catch or seize
The spy was captured by the enemy. Your painting beautifully captures the ephemerality of life. I was captured by her beauty. The cops captured the criminal three days after the incident.

- Emit
v. to discharge, give forth, or release
Plants consume carbon dioxide and emitoxygen.

- Irreconcilable
adj. incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon
The couple's differences were ultimately irreconcilable, giving them no choice but to break up.

Culmination Obsolete Undulate

- Culmination
n. the final act or climax
The culmination of the performance was unforgettable.

- Obsolete
adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon
Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they're making a huge comeback.

- Undulate
v. to move as ripples or in a wavy pattern
Belly dancers are known for their ability to skillfully undulate their stomachs.

Eloquent Coincide Altercation

- Eloquent
adj. having refined or expressive communication skills (in speaking or writing)
His speech was not only eloquent but also extremely compelling.

- Coincide
v. to happen at the same time
It wasn't until after I booked my ticket that I realized the concert coincided with my finals.

- Altercation
n. a noisy argument or confrontation
Greg got into an altercation with a stranger at the bar.

Foreseeable Expend Scorn

- Foreseeable
adj. capable of being predicted or anticipated
I can't imagine aliens visiting us in the foreseeable future.

- Expend
v. to use up (as in energy or money)
Be careful not to expend all your energy in the first half of a marathon.

- Scorn
v. to look down on with disdain
It's difficult for me not to scorn those who use improper grammar.

Squalid Renounce Conduct

- Squalid
adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy
The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator.

- Renounce
v. to give up (usu. power or a position) v. to cast off
Our CEO renounced her position yesterday. He renounced his friend after he caught her stealing money from him.

- Conduct
v. to control or manage v. to behave a certain way
The group conducted their research abroad last year. Be sure to conduct yourself accordingly.

Taut Freewheeling Controversial

- Taut
adj. pulled tight
The rubberband was taut and ready to be fired.

- Freewheeling
adj. carefree
His freewheeling attitude often got him in trouble at work.

- Controversial
adj. highly debatable and causing contention
Millions of viewers watched the controversial debate take place.

Assertion Pragmatic Sinister

- Assertion
n. a strong declaration
His assertion that sharks are mammals made everyone laugh.

- Pragmatic
adj. practical, useful
It's not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.

- Sinister
adj. ominous, evil
Medieval peasants believed sinisterdemons could harm humans.

Demonstrate Conduct Rash

- Demonstrate
v. to do as an example v. gives evidence for
Could you demonstrate the dance move for me? This book's use of words such as "grim" and "bleak" demonstrates the author's mournful tone.

- Conduct
v. to control or manage v. to behave a certain way
The group conducted their research abroad last year. Be sure to conduct yourself accordingly.

- Rash
adj. without attention to danger or risk
Her rash decision to pass the car nearly resulted in a crash.

Evoke Disdain Tentative

- Evoke
v. to draw forth or call up
Horror movies are great at evoking fear.

- Disdain
n. a lack of respect and strong dislike (toward something or someone)
He looked at me with such disdain that I immediately knew the job wouldn't work out.

- Tentative
adj. not yet finalized
We haven't made any official arrangements yet, but the tentative location for our wedding is Hawaii.

Squalid Annihilate Brevity

- Squalid
adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy
The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator.

- Annihilate
v. to destroy or cause devastating destruction
The dictator sent orders to annihilate the group of rebels.

- Brevity
n. the quality of being brief or terse
The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.

Imposition Retention Indulge

- Imposition
n. an unnecessary burden
If it's not too much of an imposition, could you proofread my paper?

- Retention
n. the act of keeping something
Water retention can make you weigh more on certain days.

- Indulge
v. to give into; to satisfy or gratify
My friend loves to indulge in cheesy romance movies.

Desolate Benevolent Demonstrate

- Desolate
adj. bare, barren, empty
The moon is one giant, desolate landscape.

- Benevolent
adj. kind, generous
Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits.

- Demonstrate
v. to do as an example v. gives evidence for
Could you demonstrate the dance move for me? This book's use of words such as "grim" and "bleak" demonstrates the author's mournful tone.

Sheer Melodramatic Raw

- Sheer
adj. so thin that light can shine through
The curtains on the window were so sheeryou could clearly see inside the house.

- Melodramatic
adj. extravagant or exaggerated (as of a melodrama)
The melodramatic play was well liked by the audience.

- Raw
adj. unrefined adj. not processed; uncooked (as in food)
He's got raw talent as a singer, but he needs to work on his performance skills. In some countries, such as Japan, it is normal to eat raw fish.

Yield Obsolete Apprehension

- Yield
n. production of an amount v. to give way to or surrender to v. to produce or supply
The farmer's annual pumpkin yield exceeded 10,000. Cars turning right on red must yield to oncoming traffic. Our experiment yielded many unique-looking vegetables.

- Obsolete
adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon
Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they're making a huge comeback.

- Apprehension
n. fearful expectation of something
Her apprehension to leave her house resulted in her missing the train.

Erratic Unveil Obsolete

- Erratic
adj. having no fixed course; deviating from the norm
The car became erratic after slipping on ice.

- Unveil
v. to make visible; to reveal
We plan to unveil our plans for the new company project on Sunday.

- Obsolete
adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon
Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they're making a huge comeback.

Brawl Clout Modest

- Brawl
n. an intense, loud fight v. to fight loudly and disruptively
A brawl broke out at school today after one student accused another of cheating. The two students brawled for an hour.

- Clout
n. special advantage or power
Children of rich and famous people often believe they have a lot of clout.

- Modest
adj. simple and humble adj. small in size or amount
They moved into a modest house in the countryside. I received a modest sum of money for my help at the company event.

Obsolete Modify Adapt

- Obsolete
adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon
Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they're making a huge comeback.

- Modify
v. to change, alter, or tweak
Dr. Nguyen modified the gene so that it wouldn't carry the disease.

- Adapt
v. to make suit a new purpose v. to accommodate oneself to a new condition, setting, or situation
The US has adapted many foreign foods to better suit the tastes of Americans. Dogs are known for their ability to quickly adapt to their environments.

Reform Novel Eminent

- Reform
n. a change for the better; improvement v. to improve via change
The reform made it so that only those 18 and older can legally drive. The government reformed its vague policies on marijuana use.

- Novel
adj. new, innovative
We are looking for novel ways to approach the project.

- Eminent
adj. superior or distinguished; high in position or status
Our town made news when the eminentmagician came to perform at our local theater.

Insatiable Facilitate Provocative

- Insatiable
adj. can't be satisfied
A vampire's thirst for blood is said to be insatiable.

- Facilitate
v. to aid the progress of
In grad school, advisors facilitate students' research and offer constructive criticism.

- Provocative
adj. intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse
Her nude paintings are considered quite provocative.

Evoke Static Concede

- Evoke
v. to draw forth or call up
Horror movies are great at evoking fear.

- Static
adj. motionless adj. changeless
The ball is static. Her life has been static for the past three years.

- Concede
v. to be forced to agree or surrender v. to admit to a transgression
With no chance of winning the battle, the army at last conceded. Dan conceded to pranking his sister.

Indulge Deference Impart

- Indulge
v. to give into; to satisfy or gratify
My friend loves to indulge in cheesy romance movies.

- Deference
n. respect; regard
Her deference to the elderly makes her the perfect candidate for an internship at the retirement center.

- Impart
v. to transmit, bestow, or disclose
Parents must impart common sense to their children.

Unveil Undermine Opine

- Unveil
v. to make visible; to reveal
We plan to unveil our plans for the new company project on Sunday.

- Undermine
v. to weaken or subvert (usu. gradually or secretly)
Parents should take care not to constantly undermine their children.

- Opine
v. to openly express an opinion
The new employee opined at the company meeting.

Tactful Dominion Spur

- Tactful
adj. skilled at dealing with people
Her tactful attitude toward our class made her one of my favorite teachers.

- Dominion
n. power and authority (usu. over a territory) n. a legal territory
The country claimed to have dominion over parts of Russia. Puerto Rico is a dominion of the US.

- Spur
v. to stimulate or incite
Her bravery spurred others to act.

Basic Commission Dubious

- Basic
adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something
You have to start with basic Russian before you can move on to the advanced level.

- Commission
n. the use of payment to request something (e.g., a service or product)
This painting was commissioned by a rich merchant in 1589.

- Dubious
adj. doubtful, questionable
The man's claims to the throne were dubious since nobody knew where he'd come from.

Viability Predecessor Simple

- Viability
n. ability to be done in a practical or useful way
The viability of the solution is questionable.

- Predecessor
n. someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office)
My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office.

- Simple
adj. easy; not complex adj. undecorated
This math problem is so simple even a first grader can solve it. The simple beauty of the ocean is what makes it memorable.

Sufficient Abstract Prosecute

- Sufficient
adj. enough; just meeting a requirement
These boxes should be sufficient for our move.

- Abstract
adj. existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality
Julie had trouble understanding the appeal of the abstract painting.

- Prosecute
v. to bring criminal action against someone (in a trial)
The suspect was prosecuted yesterday.

Diversification Basic Scrutinize

- Diversification
n. the act of becoming diverse
Lately, there's been noticeable diversification of students at higher institutions.

- Basic
adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something
You have to start with basic Russian before you can move on to the advanced level.

- Scrutinize
v. to examine carefully and critically
The teacher scrutinized her students' essays.

Bear Constitute Enumerate

- Bear
v. to have as a characteristic v. to have (a child) v. to bring forth v. to put up with
She bears a strong resemblance to your mother. Judy will bear her first child last year. My garden is going to bear pumpkins this year. I can't bear her complaining any longer!

- Constitute
v. to form or compose (part of) something
The desire for equality constituted the civil rights movement.

- Enumerate
v. to specify or count
I can't enumerate how many times I've had to remind my students when their papers are due.

Hostile Reluctantly Temperament

- Hostile
adj. harmful, dangerous
The voices around the corner sounded angry, hostile even.

- Reluctantly
adv. somewhat unwillingly
Max reluctantly agreed to see the horror movie with his friends.

- Temperament
n. usual mood or feelings
She had a hostile temperament, making her intimidating to most people.

Foment Contradict Complacent

- Foment
v. to stir up
The civilians accused their leader of fomenting political unrest.

- Contradict
v. to be in contrast with
The camera footage contradicts his alibi.

- Complacent
adj. satisfied, with no desire to change or improve
Though he had never won any awards or even been published, he was complacentwith his life as a poet.

Galvanizing Empirical Opine

- Galvanizing
adj. thrilling, exciting, stimulating
The galvanizing performance left everyone spellbound.

- Empirical
adj. derived from experience, observation, or an experiment
You need empirical evidence to support your claim.

- Opine
v. to openly express an opinion
The new employee opined at the company meeting.

Fundamental Candor Confine

- Fundamental
adj. the most essential or most basic part
A thesis is arguably the most fundamentalpart of an essay.

- Candor
n. the trait of being honest and frank
I admire her candor, especially when nobody else bothers to speak up.

- Confine
v. to put limits on; to restrict
We are going to confine the use of this drinking fountain.

Fiscal Exert Allude

- Fiscal
adj. related to (government) money
Fiscal policy is how the government uses money to influence the economy.

- Exert
v. to put into use (usu. as effort)
Don't exert all of your energy at once.

- Allude
v. to make a secretive mention of something
She alluded to the problem at hand but didn't say anything more about it.

Underscore Vital Subsequently

- Underscore
v. to emphasize or give additional weight to
This sentence seems to underscore the overall meaning of the passage.

- Vital
adj. urgently necessary
It is vital that you respond by the deadline.

- Subsequently
adv. happening later or after something
I subsequently went home.

Antipathy Lucrative Deficient

- Antipathy
n. a strong feeling of dislike
Her antipathy toward the professor was obvious: she rolled her eyes whenever he entered the classroom.

- Lucrative
adj. capable of making a lot of money; profitable
Writing books isn't a particularly lucrativecareer, unless you're J.K. Rowling.

- Deficient
adj. not enough in degree or amount
I feel as though the sources for my paper are deficient.

Omnipotent Scrupulous Basic

- Omnipotent
adj. almighty and all powerful
Gods are omnipotent beings who can control human destiny.

- Scrupulous
adj. paying great attention to detail
I am a scrupulous proofreader and never miss an error.

- Basic
adj. relating to the foundation or basis of something
You have to start with basic Russian before you can move on to the advanced level.

Contemplate Entail Simple

- Contemplate
v. to think deeply about
She contemplated telling her teacher about the cheating student.

- Entail
v. to involve or include
A doctoral program entails long nights and a heavy workload.

- Simple
adj. easy; not complex adj. undecorated
This math problem is so simple even a first grader can solve it. The simple beauty of the ocean is what makes it memorable.

Unadorned Provocative Raw

- Unadorned
adj. undecorated, plain
Though the dress was cheap and unadorned, it was by far her favorite one on the rack.

- Provocative
adj. intending to provoke, inspire, or arouse
Her nude paintings are considered quite provocative.

- Raw
adj. unrefined adj. not processed; uncooked (as in food)
He's got raw talent as a singer, but he needs to work on his performance skills. In some countries, such as Japan, it is normal to eat raw fish.

Malicious Null Frankly

- Malicious
adj. harmful, spiteful
The malicious spirit drove out the inhabitants from their home.

- Null
adj. legally void and ineffective
The government declared their marriage null.

- Frankly
adv. directly, clearly
I frankly don't see the point in learning to drive.

Secrete Contradict Surmount

- Secrete
v. to produce or release (a substance)
Trees secrete a sticky substance called sap.

- Contradict
v. to be in contrast with
The camera footage contradicts his alibi.

- Surmount
v. to get on top of or overcome
They managed to surmount the language barrier by using a translation app.

Quirk Predecessor Objectivity

- Quirk
n. a strange habit
His biggest quirk is his love of old marbles.

- Predecessor
n. someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office)
My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office.

- Objectivity
n. judgment based on observations instead of emotions or opinions
In scientific research, objectivity is of utmost importance.

Demur Adept Nuance

- Demur
v. to object to
She demurred at my request to transfer to a different department.

- Adept
adj. having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)
Beth loves playing the piano, but she's especially adept at the violin.

- Nuance
n. a subtle difference in meaning
Body-language experts even understand the nuances of facial expressions.

Conventional Surmount Precedent

- Conventional
adj. abiding by accepted standards
She lives a conventional life in the suburbs.

- Surmount
v. to get on top of or overcome
They managed to surmount the language barrier by using a translation app.

- Precedent
n. an example or subject from earlier in time
This change in law is without historical precedent.

Dispatch Capitalize Potent

- Dispatch
v. to send off a message or messenger
The mother dispatched her daughter to their neighbor's house.

- Capitalize
v. to use to your advantage
I'd like to capitalize on your math skills by having your work the cash register.

- Potent
adj. having great influence adj. having a strong, chemical effect
The bald eagle is a potent symbol of the US. The potion was definitely potent—it healed my wounds immediately!

Egregious Prompt Emit

- Egregious
adj. extremely bad
After cheating on the exam, Emily began to feel as though she'd made an egregiousmistake.

- Prompt
adj. punctual, on time n. a cue to begin something; instructions v. to incite, propel, or cause to act
She is always prompt when it comes to turning in her homework. I had to write an essay based on a prompt. The possibility of a scholarship promptedhim to apply to Harvard.

- Emit
v. to discharge, give forth, or release
Plants consume carbon dioxide and emitoxygen.

Locomotion Allude Tremendous

- Locomotion
n. movement
Physics involves the study of locomotion.

- Allude
v. to make a secretive mention of something
She alluded to the problem at hand but didn't say anything more about it.

- Tremendous
adj. very large, good, or bad in degree or size
Tremendous news! You don't have to repay your loans!

Avenue Precedent Conceive

- Avenue
n. an intangible path or approach to something
The company has decided to pursue other avenues.

- Precedent
n. an example or subject from earlier in time
This change in law is without historical precedent.

- Conceive
v. to imagine or come up with
The plan to build the city was originally conceived in the early 1900s.

Bittersweet Analogous Squalid

- Bittersweet
adj. tinged with a feeling of sadness
The ending of the romance movie was bittersweet.

- Analogous
adj. similar but not identical
Green onions are considered analogous to spring onions.

- Squalid
adj. run-down, sordid, or sleazy
The squalid cabin needed a new roof and an exterminator.

Solidarity Fluctuate Prosecute

- Solidarity
n. the joining of commonalities or common purposes among a group
I stood in solidarity with other female students by refusing to wear the school's sexist uniform.

- Fluctuate
v. to be unstable; to rise and fall
Stocks can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to determine when to buy or sell one.

- Prosecute
v. to bring criminal action against someone (in a trial)
The suspect was prosecuted yesterday.

Secrete Unilateral Frankly

- Secrete
v. to produce or release (a substance)
Trees secrete a sticky substance called sap.

- Unilateral
adj. one-sided
The unilateral decision was deemed unfair by the other party involved.

- Frankly
adv. directly, clearly
I frankly don't see the point in learning to drive.

Rash Coarse Discord

- Rash
adj. without attention to danger or risk
Her rash decision to pass the car nearly resulted in a crash.

- Coarse
adj. indicating a rough texture adj. lacking refinement or sophistication
The horse's mane was coarse, as if it had never been washed. The queen's coarse way of speaking surprised the other members of royalty.

- Discord
n. disagreement
Disputes over money caused intense discord in the family.

Counterargument Entail Materialistic

- Counterargument
n. an argument used to criticize or dismantle another argument
Make sure to include a counterargumentin your essay so that you can show you've considered the topic from all perspectives.

- Entail
v. to involve or include
A doctoral program entails long nights and a heavy workload.

- Materialistic
adj. superficial; focus on material possessions
Many people accuse Americans of being materialistic.

Benevolent Undermine Avenue

- Benevolent
adj. kind, generous
Many cultures believe in benevolent spirits.

- Undermine
v. to weaken or subvert (usu. gradually or secretly)
Parents should take care not to constantly undermine their children.

- Avenue
n. an intangible path or approach to something
The company has decided to pursue other avenues.

Malleable Exert Scandalous

- Malleable
adj. capable of being molded or changed
Children's minds are malleable but only for so long.

- Exert
v. to put into use (usu. as effort)
Don't exert all of your energy at once.

- Scandalous
adj. morally offensive, often causing damage to one's reputation
The scandalous politician decided it was best to resign from office.

Static Counterproductive Reinforce

- Static
adj. motionless adj. changeless
The ball is static. Her life has been static for the past three years.

- Counterproductive
adj. hindering the achievement of a goal
Bill's idea to take a shortcut was ultimately counterproductive: it took us twice as long to get to the train station.

- Reinforce
v. to strengthen or add support to
We can use these pipes to reinforce the structure.

Exacerbate Pragmatic Adversarial

- Exacerbate
v. to make worse or increase the severity of
The doctor told me not to run as it can exacerbate my knee injury.

- Pragmatic
adj. practical, useful
It's not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.

- Adversarial
adj. relating to hostile opposition
An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life.

Culmination Surly Convey

- Culmination
n. the final act or climax
The culmination of the performance was unforgettable.

- Surly
adj. unfriendly; inclined to anger
The bartender was a surly fellow who wasn't afraid to start a fight.

- Convey
v. to pass on or transfer (information)
I have trouble conveying my thoughts in French.

Contemplate Insatiable Bolster

- Contemplate
v. to think deeply about
She contemplated telling her teacher about the cheating student.

- Insatiable
adj. can't be satisfied
A vampire's thirst for blood is said to be insatiable.

- Bolster
v. to support, strengthen, or fortify
If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch.

Novel Complacent Retention

- Novel
adj. new, innovative
We are looking for novel ways to approach the project.

- Complacent
adj. satisfied, with no desire to change or improve
Though he had never won any awards or even been published, he was complacentwith his life as a poet.

- Retention
n. the act of keeping something
Water retention can make you weigh more on certain days.

Entail Candor Candid

- Entail
v. to involve or include
A doctoral program entails long nights and a heavy workload.

- Candor
n. the trait of being honest and frank
I admire her candor, especially when nobody else bothers to speak up.

- Candid
adj. direct, blunt
Josh is candid about his desire to become an actor.

Cultivate Invoke Brawl

- Cultivate
v. to foster the growth of
Teachers don't just pass on new information to students—they cultivate their academic potential.

- Invoke
v. to call on; to appeal to (e.g., a higher power)
The shaman attempted to invoke a demon.

- Brawl
n. an intense, loud fight v. to fight loudly and disruptively
A brawl broke out at school today after one student accused another of cheating. The two students brawled for an hour.

Brevity Pragmatic Nuance

- Brevity
n. the quality of being brief or terse
The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.

- Pragmatic
adj. practical, useful
It's not necessarily more pragmatic to study engineering than it is to study philosophy.

- Nuance
n. a subtle difference in meaning
Body-language experts even understand the nuances of facial expressions.

Ambivalence Teeming Clout

- Ambivalence
n. the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options
His ambivalence prevented him from immediately signing the contract.

- Teeming
adj. abundantly filled (usu. with living organisms)
Doorknobs are not as clean as they look and are often teeming with germs.

- Clout
n. special advantage or power
Children of rich and famous people often believe they have a lot of clout.

Demonstrate Qualitative Facilitate

- Demonstrate
v. to do as an example v. gives evidence for
Could you demonstrate the dance move for me? This book's use of words such as "grim" and "bleak" demonstrates the author's mournful tone.

- Qualitative
adj. involving qualities of something (features and content)
I noticed a qualitative change in her paintings.

- Facilitate
v. to aid the progress of
In grad school, advisors facilitate students' research and offer constructive criticism.

Scrutinize Malicious Predecessor

- Scrutinize
v. to examine carefully and critically
The teacher scrutinized her students' essays.

- Malicious
adj. harmful, spiteful
The malicious spirit drove out the inhabitants from their home.

- Predecessor
n. someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office)
My predecessor gave me many tips for running the office.

Readily Avenue Avid

- Readily
adv. right away and without difficulty
Water was readily available at different points in the race.

- Avenue
n. an intangible path or approach to something
The company has decided to pursue other avenues.

- Avid
adj. actively interested in or enthusiastic about something
Gerald is an avid soccer fan.

Boost Plausible Diligence

- Boost
n. an increase or growth v. to increase or make grow
The boost in profits was a welcome change. In order to boost profits, you need to cater to your customers.

- Plausible
adj. reasonable and possibly true
Her story is plausible, but that doesn't mean she's telling the truth.

- Diligence
n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task
Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.

Obsolete Tremendous Diligence

- Obsolete
adj. no longer used; rare or uncommon
Historians assumed record players would be obsolete by now, but in fact they're making a huge comeback.

- Tremendous
adj. very large, good, or bad in degree or size
Tremendous news! You don't have to repay your loans!

- Diligence
n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task
Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.

Foment Materialistic Counterproductive

- Foment
v. to stir up
The civilians accused their leader of fomenting political unrest.

- Materialistic
adj. superficial; focus on material possessions
Many people accuse Americans of being materialistic.

- Counterproductive
adj. hindering the achievement of a goal
Bill's idea to take a shortcut was ultimately counterproductive: it took us twice as long to get to the train station.

Emit Fundamental Bear

- Emit
v. to discharge, give forth, or release
Plants consume carbon dioxide and emitoxygen.

- Fundamental
adj. the most essential or most basic part
A thesis is arguably the most fundamentalpart of an essay.

- Bear
v. to have as a characteristic v. to have (a child) v. to bring forth v. to put up with
She bears a strong resemblance to your mother. Judy will bear her first child last year. My garden is going to bear pumpkins this year. I can't bear her complaining any longer!

Spawn Artificial Brevity

- Spawn
v. to release eggs v. to call forth or generate
Frogs typically spawn in ponds. The topic spawned an ongoing debate among his family members.

- Artificial
adj. something made; not occurring naturally
Many candies use artificial flavors to make them taste fruity.

- Brevity
n. the quality of being brief or terse
The brevity of their time together made it all the more romantic.

Ambiguous Eminent Foment

- Ambiguous
adj. unclear or vague in meaning
Her ambiguous statement made me question whether she could be trusted.

- Eminent
adj. superior or distinguished; high in position or status
Our town made news when the eminentmagician came to perform at our local theater.

- Foment
v. to stir up
The civilians accused their leader of fomenting political unrest.

Apex Bolster Acquisition

- Apex
n. the highest point of something
The spring play was the apex of our school year.

- Bolster
v. to support, strengthen, or fortify
If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch.

- Acquisition
n. the act of gaining a skill or possession of something
Language acquisition is easier for kids than it is for adults.

Indifference Irreconcilable Bolster

- Indifference
n. apathy, emotional detachment
The girl's indifference toward her brother upset their parents.

- Irreconcilable
adj. incapable of being in harmony or agreed upon
The couple's differences were ultimately irreconcilable, giving them no choice but to break up.

- Bolster
v. to support, strengthen, or fortify
If we work together, we should be able to lift and then bolster the couch.

Deference Melodramatic Reinforce

- Deference
n. respect; regard
Her deference to the elderly makes her the perfect candidate for an internship at the retirement center.

- Melodramatic
adj. extravagant or exaggerated (as of a melodrama)
The melodramatic play was well liked by the audience.

- Reinforce
v. to strengthen or add support to
We can use these pipes to reinforce the structure.

Imposing Envy Lucrative

- Imposing
adj. impressive (esp. in size or appearance)
The old mansion was imposing in its huge size and gothic architecture.

- Envy
n. excessive jealousy v. to admire and be jealous of
His envy of her is quite obvious. She envies her coworker's social skills.

- Lucrative
adj. capable of making a lot of money; profitable
Writing books isn't a particularly lucrativecareer, unless you're J.K. Rowling.

Adversarial Diligence Fluctuate

- Adversarial
adj. relating to hostile opposition
An adversarial attitude will make you many enemies in life.

- Diligence
n. conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task
Diligence and confidence will get you far in life.

- Fluctuate
v. to be unstable; to rise and fall
Stocks can fluctuate on a daily basis, making it difficult to determine when to buy or sell one.

Momentous Dubious Conceive

- Momentous
adj. historically significant
Her win in the election was momentous.

- Dubious
adj. doubtful, questionable
The man's claims to the throne were dubious since nobody knew where he'd come from.

- Conceive
v. to imagine or come up with
The plan to build the city was originally conceived in the early 1900s.