Raw Static Simple

- 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.

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

- 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.

Null Momentous Materialistic

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

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

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

Conducive Bolster Demur

- Conducive
adj. able to bring about or be suitable for
The noisy students hardly made the campus library conducive to studying.

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

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

Counteract Incite Subordinate

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

- Incite
v. to encourage or stir up
Her hateful words incited anger in the crowd.

- Subordinate
adj. lower in rank n. someone lower in rank v. to make dependent on or put at a lower rank
The subordinate officers work every day. My subordinate will check you in. You aren't my boss—you can't subordinateme to the role of receptionist!

Avenue Cultivate Nuance

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

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

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

Sentiment Readily Austere

- Sentiment
n. opinion n. a tender or moving gesture
I am of the sentiment that you should never give out your passwords to anyone. Even though I'm not a big fan of porcelain dolls, I appreciated the sentiment.

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

- Austere
adj. extremely plain adj. stern and forbidding adj. relating to self-denial
He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods. My boss had an austere expression on her face. An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn't for everybody.

Exploit Taut Squalid

- Exploit
v. to use selfishly or for profit
The shoddy company exploited its workers by paying them extremely low wages.

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

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

Petulant Scandalous Sufficient

- Petulant
adj. cranky, pouty, irritable
Petulant children are especially difficult to care for.

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

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

Adversarial Flourish Doctrine

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

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

- Doctrine
n. a principle, theory, or position, usu. advocated by a religion or gov't
Devoutly religious people often live their lives according to their doctrines.

Authenticity Constitute Taut

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

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

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

Conceive Foment Adapt

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

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

- 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.

Complacent Freewheeling Unjust

- 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.

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

- Unjust
adj. unfair; not justified
The court's decision is unjust—he should not go free.

Envy Opine Commission

- 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.

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

- 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.

Peculiar Disparage Devise

- Peculiar
adj. strange, bizarre
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

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

- Devise
v. to come up with (a plan)
Lana devised a plan to make herself famous.

Fundamental Adept Nuance

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

- 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.

Ubiquitous Deplete Pragmatic

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

- Deplete
v. to (over)use over time (usu. resources)
The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food.

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

Unmitigated Pragmatic Anticipate

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

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

- Anticipate
v. assume to be likely to happen
The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be.

Pitiable Excel Validate

- Pitiable
adj. deserving pity
The frail-looking dog was pitiable, so I gave it some food and took it inside to care for it.

- Excel
v. to do something extremely well or to be superior in
She was a well-rounded student but excelled especially in science.

- Validate
v. to prove or declare valid
Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me.

Bolster Concede Repudiate

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

- 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.

- Repudiate
v. to refuse to recognize as true v. to cast off
The father repudiated his son's marriage. She repudiated her son once she found out he'd married someone without telling her.

Substantiate Indifference Articulate

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

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

- Articulate
v. to clearly express in words
She articulated her opinion on the price of the house.

Eminent Substantiate Predecessor

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

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

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

Secrete Validate Raw

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

- Validate
v. to prove or declare valid
Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me.

- 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.

Ornate Substantial Agitate

- Ornate
adj. highly detailed and decorated
That ornate silverware must be worth thousands of dollars!

- Substantial
adj. very large in amount or degree
I was shocked to find a substantial amount of money beneath the park bench.

- Agitate
v. to promote something (usu. a cause)
They're agitating for better health care.

Candor Bittersweet Plausible

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

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

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

Conviction Unveil Apprehension

- Conviction
n. a firm belief in something
Her religious convictions prevent her from eating meat.

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

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

Authenticity Frankly Antipathy

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

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

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

Agitate Substantiate Impartiality

- Agitate
v. to promote something (usu. a cause)
They're agitating for better health care.

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

- Impartiality
n. the equal and objective treatment of opposing views
To ensure impartiality, we require everyone to follow these general guidelines.

Aesthetic Avid Peculiar

- 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.

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

- Peculiar
adj. strange, bizarre
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

Decree Principle Taut

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

- Principle
n. basic truth, assumption, or rule
Remember the universal principle: treat others as you want them to treat you.

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

Malleable Freewheeling Teeming

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

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

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

Static Secrete Exert

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

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

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

Eminent Temperament Subordinate

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

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

- Subordinate
adj. lower in rank n. someone lower in rank v. to make dependent on or put at a lower rank
The subordinate officers work every day. My subordinate will check you in. You aren't my boss—you can't subordinateme to the role of receptionist!

Endow Yield Dominion

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

- 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.

- 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.

Petulant Entrenched Novel

- Petulant
adj. cranky, pouty, irritable
Petulant children are especially difficult to care for.

- Entrenched
adj. firmly established
Her face will forever be entrenched in my memory.

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

Counterargument Subtle Corroborate

- 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.

- Subtle
adj. hard to detect or analyze
I detected in her expression a subtle hint of irritation.

- Corroborate
v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)
The note signed by her father corroboratesher claim that she was absent from class that day.

Exploit Fiscal Sparingly

- Exploit
v. to use selfishly or for profit
The shoddy company exploited its workers by paying them extremely low wages.

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

- Sparingly
adv. insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner
Due to my condition, I must eat salt sparingly.

Fundamental Avid Comparable

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

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

- Comparable
adj. able to be compared
This novel is comparable to Huckleberry Finn.

Capture Counterargument Objectivity

- 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.

- 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.

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

Opine Exert Concede

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

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

- 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.

Plausible Vital Plausible

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

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

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

Bear Analogous Endow

- 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!

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

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

Subsequently Retention Discord

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

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

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

Vow Malleable Assertion

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

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

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

Locomotion Deplete Exhilarating

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

- Deplete
v. to (over)use over time (usu. resources)
The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food.

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

Apprehension Ignominious Raw

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

- Ignominious
adj. publicly shameful or humiliating
The politician's expensive campaign ultimately ended in ignominious defeat.

- 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.

Unadorned Underscore Scandalous

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

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

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

Avenue Reform Apex

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

- 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.

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

Condone Qualitative Retention

- Condone
v. to overlook, approve, or allow
She couldn't condone her daughter's rebellious behavior.

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

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

Taut Adept Infer

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

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

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

Abysmal Incite Peculiar

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

- Incite
v. to encourage or stir up
Her hateful words incited anger in the crowd.

- Peculiar
adj. strange, bizarre
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

Conceive Coarse Obsolete

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

- 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.

- 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.

Raw Feasibility Condone

- 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.

- 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.

- Condone
v. to overlook, approve, or allow
She couldn't condone her daughter's rebellious behavior.

Inversion Taut Fiscal

- Inversion
n. a reversal
The culture's norms were an inversion of our own.

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

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

Clinical Consensus Annihilate

- Clinical
adj. emotionally unattached (usu. used in medical or scientific setting)
Her clinical approach to situations allows her to handle them more effectively.

- Consensus
n. overall agreement
After weeks of debating, the panel finally came to a consensus.

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

Scandalous Fluctuate Convey

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

- 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.

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

Controversial Apex Frankly

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

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

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

Surly Treacherous Onset

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

- Treacherous
adj. dangerous and unstable
The journey was becoming treacherous,but they continued on regardless.

- Onset
n. the beginning or early stages
At the onset of her career as a lawyer, things were looking up.

Malicious Prescribe Opine

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

- Prescribe
v. to command orders v. to issue authorization for medications
The directions for our essay prescribe a length of at least ten pages. A doctor must prescribe you this medication before you can begin taking it.

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

Eminent Exhilarating Stark

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

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

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

Omnipotent Promulgate Corroborate

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

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

- Corroborate
v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)
The note signed by her father corroboratesher claim that she was absent from class that day.

Desolate Conventional Allow

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

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

- Allow
v. to permit or consent to
US law allows citizens to speak freely.

Pragmatic Provocative Conceive

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

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

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

Geriatric Sheer Accordingly

- Geriatric
adj. relating to old age
I became interested in geriatric medicine shortly after my grandfather passed away from cancer.

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

- Accordingly
adv. in accordance with
All students must behave accordingly.

Capture Avid Treacherous

- 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.

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

- Treacherous
adj. dangerous and unstable
The journey was becoming treacherous,but they continued on regardless.

Advent Galvanizing Dire

- Advent
n. the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)
The world has never been the same since the advent of the light bulb.

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

- Dire
adj. hopeless and dangerous or fearful
When the police didn't explain what was happening right away, Jane knew that the situation must be dire.

Qualitative Viability Adept

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

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

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

Reproach Underscore Potent

- Reproach
v. to criticize
The mother reproached her daughter's school for making students come in during a blizzard.

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

- 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!

Complacent Demonstrate Bittersweet

- 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.

- 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.

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

Scorn Peculiar Exacerbate

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

- Peculiar
adj. strange, bizarre
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

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

Allow Unadorned Imprudent

- Allow
v. to permit or consent to
US law allows citizens to speak freely.

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

- Imprudent
adj. not cautious or prudent; rash
Backpacking abroad can be fun, but don't be imprudent about money.

Unveil Stark Repudiate

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

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

- Repudiate
v. to refuse to recognize as true v. to cast off
The father repudiated his son's marriage. She repudiated her son once she found out he'd married someone without telling her.

Facilitate Locomotion Provocative

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

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

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

Null Conventional Allude

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

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

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

Peculiar Contradict Ramify

- Peculiar
adj. strange, bizarre
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

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

- Ramify
v. to split into two or more branches
Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century.

Invoke Facilitate Transparent

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

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

- 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.

Ramify Eloquent Desolate

- Ramify
v. to split into two or more branches
Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century.

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

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

Scrutinize Devise Culmination

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

- Devise
v. to come up with (a plan)
Lana devised a plan to make herself famous.

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

Exhilarating Prompt Demonstrate

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

- 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.

- 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.

Subordinate Frankly Savvy

- Subordinate
adj. lower in rank n. someone lower in rank v. to make dependent on or put at a lower rank
The subordinate officers work every day. My subordinate will check you in. You aren't my boss—you can't subordinateme to the role of receptionist!

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

- Savvy
adj. having practical intelligence or knowledge
My brother is not very savvy when it comes to using public transportation.

Prompt Endow Afford

- 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.

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

- Afford
v. to be able to buy v. to be able to spare
He's saving money so he can afford to buy a new car. I can't afford to lose any more pencils!

Clout Coarse Materialistic

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

- 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.

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

Savvy Vital Foment

- Savvy
adj. having practical intelligence or knowledge
My brother is not very savvy when it comes to using public transportation.

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

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

Allude Counterargument Austere

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

- 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.

- Austere
adj. extremely plain adj. stern and forbidding adj. relating to self-denial
He lived in a small, austere cabin in the middle of the woods. My boss had an austere expression on her face. An austere lifestyle, like that of monks, isn't for everybody.

Lament Ambivalence Cultivate

- Lament
v. to feel sorrow for; to mourn
Susan lamented her missed chance at going to Europe with her high school class.

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

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

Innovative Conduct Readily

- Innovative
adj. novel or new (esp. as an idea or invention)
Her invention was incredibly innovativeand won her multiple awards.

- 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.

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

Culmination Retention Concede

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

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

- 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.

Reform Abate Ornate

- 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.

- Abate
v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.

- Ornate
adj. highly detailed and decorated
That ornate silverware must be worth thousands of dollars!

Fundamental Ramify Warrant

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

- Ramify
v. to split into two or more branches
Cars ramified throughout the world in the twentieth century.

- Warrant
v. to prove to be reasonable
Wanting to look cool in front of your friends doesn't warrant breaking the law.

Warrant Innovative Deplete

- Warrant
v. to prove to be reasonable
Wanting to look cool in front of your friends doesn't warrant breaking the law.

- Innovative
adj. novel or new (esp. as an idea or invention)
Her invention was incredibly innovativeand won her multiple awards.

- Deplete
v. to (over)use over time (usu. resources)
The lost campers quickly depleted their supply of food.

Sparingly Pragmatic Endure

- Sparingly
adv. insufficiently, meagerly, or in a restricted manner
Due to my condition, I must eat salt sparingly.

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

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

Endow Nuance Antipathy

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

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

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

Dispatch Competent Abate

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

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

- Abate
v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.

Civic Adept Tremendous

- Civic
adj. relating to the city or citizens
Voting is a civic duty.

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

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

Emit Clout Clinical

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

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

- Clinical
adj. emotionally unattached (usu. used in medical or scientific setting)
Her clinical approach to situations allows her to handle them more effectively.

Refute Sufficient Unjust

- Refute
v. to prove to be untrue, unfounded, or incorrect
The student refuted the professor's claim in class.

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

- Unjust
adj. unfair; not justified
The court's decision is unjust—he should not go free.

Expend Emphatic Counterproductive

- 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.

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

- 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.

Qualitative Modest Advocate

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

- 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.

- Advocate
n. someone who promotes or defends something v. to defend or promote something (usu. a belief, theory, opinion, etc.)
I am an advocate for free higher education. Environmental protesters often advocatefor cleaner energy practices.

Anomaly Null Assertion

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

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

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

Dispatch Impart Transparent

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

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

- 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.

Insatiable Dominion Freewheeling

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

- 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.

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

Coincide Anticipate Clinical

- 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.

- Anticipate
v. assume to be likely to happen
The party was just as fun as I had anticipated it would be.

- Clinical
adj. emotionally unattached (usu. used in medical or scientific setting)
Her clinical approach to situations allows her to handle them more effectively.

Evoke Surmount Fundamental

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

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

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

Freewheeling Exploit Apex

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

- Exploit
v. to use selfishly or for profit
The shoddy company exploited its workers by paying them extremely low wages.

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

Corroborate Treacherous Controversial

- Corroborate
v. to provide evidence for; to back up (a claim)
The note signed by her father corroboratesher claim that she was absent from class that day.

- Treacherous
adj. dangerous and unstable
The journey was becoming treacherous,but they continued on regardless.

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

Avid Peculiar Complacent

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

- Peculiar
adj. strange, bizarre
Upon entering the abandoned house, Kate experienced a peculiar feeling, as if someone was watching her.

- 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.

Acquisition Confine Avid

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

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

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

Unilateral Exhilarating Ambitious

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

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

- Ambitious
adj. having a powerful desire for success or achievement
Penny is so ambitious, she wants to be president someday.

Coarse Hypothetical Dominion

- 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.

- Hypothetical
adj. supposed; related to a hypothesis
For my physics homework, I must come up with a hypothetical situation.

- 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.

Insatiable Retention Validate

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

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

- Validate
v. to prove or declare valid
Your selfish actions do not validate your feelings for me.

Obsolete Prescribe Retention

- 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.

- Prescribe
v. to command orders v. to issue authorization for medications
The directions for our essay prescribe a length of at least ten pages. A doctor must prescribe you this medication before you can begin taking it.

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

Allude Savvy Candor

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

- Savvy
adj. having practical intelligence or knowledge
My brother is not very savvy when it comes to using public transportation.

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

Unmitigated Sheer Static

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

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

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

Dreary Omnipotent Comparable

- Dreary
adj. sad, gloomy, dull
The gray clouds in the sky made the day feel dreary.

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

- Comparable
adj. able to be compared
This novel is comparable to Huckleberry Finn.

Contend Pinnacle Civic

- Contend
v. to maintain or assert (an opinion)
The president contends that the US government will not negotiate with terrorists.

- Pinnacle
n. highest level or degree
Many believe that composers such as Beethoven and Mozart represent the pinnacle of classical music.

- Civic
adj. relating to the city or citizens
Voting is a civic duty.

Inversion Potent Lucrative

- Inversion
n. a reversal
The culture's norms were an inversion of our own.

- 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!

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

Impart Galvanizing Yield

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

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

- 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.

Abate Stark Competent

- Abate
v. to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
As I began my speech, my feelings of nervousness quickly abated.

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

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

Imprudent Plausible Modest

- Imprudent
adj. not cautious or prudent; rash
Backpacking abroad can be fun, but don't be imprudent about money.

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

- 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.