Infer Transparent Vital

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

- 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.

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

Afford Competent Abysmal

- 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!

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

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

Expend Disparage Undermine

- 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.

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

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

Invoke Hostile Cultivate

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

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

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

Validate Facilitate Consensus

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

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

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