abound - large numbers or amounts

amorphous - without a clearly defined shape or form

austere - strict in manner, having no comforts or luxuries

belie - fail to give true impression of something, contradict, fail to justify

capricious - sudden change of mood, unpredictable, fickle

cerebral - of the cerebrum of the brain, intellectual rather than physical

congenial - pleasant or agreeable because suited to one's taste

conspicuous - clearly visible, attracting notice or attention

cursory - hasty and therefore not through or detailed

daunting - difficult to deal with, discourage through fear

deify - worship or regard as a god

didactic - instructive, particularly so as to appear patronizing

disseminate - spread widely

feasible - possible to do easily or conveniently

flout - openly disregard, mock, scoff

homogeneous - of the same kind

humdrum - lacking excitement or variety; boringly monotonous

insipid - tasteless, lacking interest

loquacious - talkative

misanthropic - having or showing dislike of other people

misnomer - a wrong or inaccurate name or designation

negligent - failing to take proper care over something

obsequious - obedient to an excessive or servile degree

placate - make less angry

proclivity - a tendency to choose or do something regularly

puerile - childishly silly

quixotic - extremely idealistic, unrealistic, impractical

spendthrift - a person who spends money in an irresponsible way

taciturn - saying little

wary - feeling or showing caution about possible dangers

adulterate - render poorer in quality by adding another substance

advocate - publicly recommend or support

aggrandize - increase power, status, reputation of someone

alacrity - brisk and cheerful readiness

ambivalent - having mixed feelings or contradictory ideas

ameliorate - make something bad better

amenable - open to suggestions, easily persuaded, susceptible

anachronistic - belonging to a period other than that being portrayed conspicuously old-fashioned

audacious - willingness to take surprisingly bold risks, showing impudent lack of respect

avaricious - showing extreme greed for wealth or material gain

banal - lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring

benign - gentle and kind, not harmful to the environment

brazen - bold and without shame

calumny - false and slanderous statement about someone

candid - truthful and straightforward

castigate - reprimand severely

caustic - sarcastic in a bitter way, chemical

construe - interpret in a particular way

contrite - feeling or expressing remorse that one has done wrong

convoluted - extremely complex and difficult to follow and twisted

covet - yearn to possess something belonging to another

craven - lacking in courage, cowardly

decorum - behavior in keeping with good taste and propriety

deft - demonstrating skill and cleverness

demur - raise objections or show reluctance

derivative - imitative of the work of another

desiccate - cause to become completely dry

diatribe - a forceful and bitter verbal attack

incredulous - unwilling or unable to believe something

ingenuous - innocent, naive or unsuspecting

abate - become less intense or widespread, remove or reduce law

abjure - solemnly renounce (a belief, cause or claim)

anomalous - deviating from what is standard

antipathy - a deep-seated feeling of aversion

arcane - understood by few, mysterious or secret

arduous - involving or requiring strenuous effort, tiring

artless - without deception, effort or pretentiousness, natural

ascetic - severe self-discipline, austere

assuage - satisfy, make an unpleasant feeling less intense

betray - gravely disloyal, unintentionally reveal, be evidence of

bucolic - relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside

burgeon - begin to grow or increase rapidly, flourish

cacophonous - involving or producing harsh sounds

canonize - treat of great significance, place in or regard as belonging to a canon of literacy or artistic works

censure - express severe disapproval, especially in formal statement

chicanery - use of deception or subterfuge

coalesce - come together to from one mass or whole

cogent - clear, logical and convincing

compelling - evoking interest in a powerful irresistible way

contend - struggle to surmount a difficulty,assert something as a position in a argument

copious - abundant in supply

cosmopolitan - mixture of cultures

deference - polite submission and respect

desultory - lacking plan, purpose or enthusiasm, occurring randomly

diffident - modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence

dilatory - slow to act, intended to cause delay

equivocate - use ambiguous language

polarize - divide or cause it divide into two sharply contrasting group

prodigal - spending money recklessly

verbose - using or expressed in more words that are needed

abstain - restrain oneself from doing

approbation - approval or praise

cherish - protect and care for lovingly

corroborate - confirm or give support to a statement, theory or finding

disparate - essentially different in kind, notable to be compared, containing elements very different from one another

emulate - match or surpass a person or achievement, typically by imitation

enervate - make someone feel drained of energy, lacking in energy

ephemeral - lasting for a very short time

fervid - intensely enthusiastic or passionate, especially to an excessive degree

garrulous - excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters

incendiary - tending to stir up conflict

inimical - tending to obstruct, unfriendly hostile

intimate - closely acquainted, familiar, detailed or thorough

invigorate - give strength or energy to

mitigate - make something bad less severe, serious or painful

obsolete - out of date

opaque - unclear, not transparent

paradigmatic - serving as a typical example of something, of or denoting

pedantic - excessively concerned with minor details, over-scrupulous

placid - not easily upset or excited, calm and peaceful

polemical - of or involving strongly critical writing or speech

precipitate - cause to happen suddenly, unexpectedly or premature

profundity - great depth of insight or knowledge

prophetic - accurately predicting what will happen in future

prudent - acting with or showing care and thought for future

punctilious - showing great attention to detail or correct behavior

recondite - little known, abstruse

scrupulous - careful, thorough, and extremely attentive to details

tranquil - free from disturbance, calm

vacillate - waver between different opinions or actions, be indecisive

aloof - not friendly, distant, detached

clangor - a continuously loud banging or ringing sound

conventional - following traditional forms and genres

debunk - expose the falseness or hollowness of an idea or belief

diminutive - extremely or unusually small

discernible - able to be discerned, perceptible, visible, noticeable

enigmatic - difficult to understand, mysterious

estranged - no longer close to someone, alienated

extravagant - excessive, elaborate

fanciful - over-imaginative, unrealistic, highly ornamental

frivolous - carefree, not having any serious purpose

heterogeneous - diverse in character or content

imperious - arrogant and domineering

impertinent - not showing proper respect, irrelevant

invasive - tending to spread very quickly or undesirably, harmfully

irresolute - showing or feeling hesitancy; uncertain

laudable - deserving praise and commendation

lax - not sufficiently strict or careful, negligible / of muscle(relaxed)

marginalize - treat a person, group as insignificant or peripheral

panache - flamboyant confidence of style or manner

plodding - slow moving and unexciting

prosaic - lacking originality, commonplace, unromantic

remedial - intended as cure/ provided or intended for children with learning difficulties/ provided or intended for children with learning difficulties

restive - unable to remain still, silent, or submissive, especially because of boredom

sporadic - infrequent, scattered or isolated, occasional

stigmatize - great disapproval

undermine - erode the base/ lessen the effectiveness

utterly - completely or without qualification, absolutely

weary - tired(extreme)

zealous - showing zeal, fervent, passionate, fervid, ardent

admonish - warn or reprimand someone firmly

aesthetic - concerned with beauty

affectation - pretension, facade

alleviate - make suffering less severe

analogous - comparable in certain respects

bolster - support or strength

chauvinistic - displaying aggressive patriotism, displaying excessive support for their own cause, group or sex

connoisseur - an expert judge in matters of taste

dissemble - conceal or disguise one's true feelings or beliefs

dogged - showing tenacity and grim persistence

dupe - trick, a victim of deception

empirical - based on observation rather than theory

engender - cause or give rise to a feeling situation

entitled - give someone a legal right

pertinacious - holding firmly to an opinion or a cause of action

presumptuous - failing to observe limits of what is appropriate/ brazen

probity - having strong moral principles, honesty and decency

proliferate - increase rapidly in number, multiply

specious - superficially plausible but actually wrong

spurious - not being what it purports to be, false or fake

subjective - influenced by personal feelings, tastes, opinions

subvert - undermine the power and authority of system

timorous - lack of confidence, easily frightened

tortuous - full of twists and turns excessively complex

tractable - easy to control or influence, easy to deal with

transient - lasting for a short time

ubiquitous - present, appearing or found everywhere, omnipresent

underscore - emphasize

venal - bribery, corrupt

venerate - regard with great respect, reverence

appease - pacify or placate, assuage or satisfy

arbitrary - based on random choice/ unrestrained and autocratic in the use of authority

archaic - very old or old-fashioned

clamorous - making loud and confused noise/expressing or characterized by vehement protects or demands

dearth - a scarcity or lack of something

explicable - able to be accounted for or understood, explainable

hyperbole - exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally

immutable - unable to be changed

indefatigable - persisting tireless, tireless, untiring

indolent - lazy, idle/ (of medicine) no or little pain

insular - uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one;s own experience, lacking contact with other people

intransigent - unwilling to change one's views, uncompromising

intrepid - fearless, adventurous(often used for humorous effect)

irreverent - showing lack of respect for people or things that are generally taken seriously

loathe - intense dislike or disgust for

malign - evil in nature, speak about someone in a spitefully critical manner

malleable - easily influenced, pliable

neophyte - a person who is new to a subject, activity, or religion

plastic - easily shaped/artificial/offering scope for creativity

platitude - used too often to be interesting or thoughtful

prescient - showing knowledge of events before they take place

pristine - spotless, clean and fresh, immaculate

reproach - expression of disapproval

robust - vigorous/ able to withstand adverse conditions/ forceful

salubrious - healthy, pleasant

sanction - official permission/ a threatened penalty for disobeying rule

sedulous - showing dedication and diligence

soporific - tediously boring or monotonous

stern - serious, strict and severe

tendentious - intending to promote a point of view(controversial one)

accentuate - make more noticeable or prominent

conjectural - based on or involving conjecture, speculative

convivial - friendly, lively and enjoyable

decadent - characterized by a state of moral or cultural decline, person who is luxuriously self-indulgent

egregious - outstandingly bad, shocking

evanescent - soon passing out of sight, memory or existence, quickly fading or disappearing

flamboyant - tending to attract attention because of confidence, stylishness/ bright, colorful and noticeable

forestall - prevent or obstruct by taking advanced action

gainsay - deny, contradict, speak against or oppose

galvanize - shock or excite someone into taking action

indiscriminate - done at random or without careful judgment

innocuous - not harmful or offensive

momentary - lasting very short time, brief

mundane - lacking interest or excitement, dull

nettlesome - causing annoyance or difficulty

nullify - make null and void, invalidate

obviate - remove, avoid or prevent

omnipresent - widespread, constantly encountered

oust - drive out or expel from a position or place

palpable - so intense as to seem, almost tangible/ plain to see or comprehend, able to be touched or felt

perfidy - state of being deceitful and untrustworthy

profuse - abundant

pugnacious - eager to argue, quarrel or fight

sagacious - wise or shrewd, intelligent

sanguine - optimistic, positive/blood-red

scant - insufficient or barely sufficient

skulduggery - dishonest behavior or activities/ trickery

trivial - of little value or importance

utilitarian - designed to be useful or practical rather

vapid - offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging/ bland

boorish - rough and bad-mannered, coarse

brook - tolerate

circumspect - wary, cautious

comity - an association of nations for their mutual benefit/ considerate behavior towards others

commensurate - corresponding in size or degree, in proportion

cordial - warm and friendly

deleterious - causing harm

dichotomy - a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different

edify - instruct or improve (someone) morally or intellectually

elicit - evoke or draw out (a reaction answer) from someone

erudite - having or showing great knowledge or learning

fecund - highly fertile

feeble - lacking physical strength/ lacking strength of character/ failing to convince or impress

felicitous - well chosen or suited to the circumstances/ pleasing

forbear - refrain from doing something

haphazard - lacking any obvious principle of organization

hodgepodge - a confused mixture

impede - hinder

impetuous - acting or done quickly and without thought or care

irascible - having or showing a tendency to be easily angry

mercenary - making money at the expense of ethics/ a professional soldier hired to serve in a foreign army

meticulous - very careful and precious

mordant - (humor) having or showing a sharp or critical quality, biting

outstrip - move faster and overtake/ exceed

precarious - not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse/ uncertain

quirky - having or characterized by peculiar or unexpected traits or aspects

repudiate - refuse to accept/ deny the truth or validity

tact - skill and sensitivity in dealing with others or with difficult issues

trifling - unimportant or trivial

turbulent - characterized by conflict, disorder/ not stable

acumen - the ability to make good judgments and take quick decisions

antithesis - contrast or opposition between two things

ascribe - regard text, quotation or work/ regard a quality as belonging to

befuddled - unable to think clearly

eschew - deliberately avoid using; abstain from

esoteric - likely to be understood by only a small number of people/ abstruse/ arcane/ obscure

evasive - tending to avoid commitment or self-revelation

exculpate - show or declare that someone is not guilty of wrongdoing

expedite - make (an action) happen sooner or be accomplished more quickly

fastidious - very attentive and concerned about accuracy and detail

feign - pretend to be affected by (a feeling, state or injury)

furtive - secretive/ suggestive of guilty nervousness

hamper - basket/ hinder

indispensable - absolutely necessary

lament - a passionate expression of grief or sorrow

myopic - short-sighted

nonchalant - calm and relaxed/ not displaying anxiety

partial - incomplete/ biased/ having a liking for

pensive - engaged in serious thought

portend - be a sign or warning that something calamitous is likely to happen

provincial - concerning a province of a country/religions regarded as narrow-minded

rudimentary - limited to basic principles/ relating to immature form

salutary - producing good efforts/ beneficial

sever - divide by cutting or slicing, suddenly and forcibly/ put to an end/ break off

slight - small in degree/ inconsiderate/ insult by treating without proper respect

somnolent - sleepy, drowsy

stoic - a person who can endure pain without complaining

supersede - take the place of other/ supplant

tout - attempt to sell/ attempt to persuade people of the merits of/ informer

wane - decrease in vigor or extent, become weaker

abhor - regard with disgust and hatred

boisterous - noisy, energetic and cheerful/(of weather) stormy

chivalrous - courteous and gallant especially towards women

churlish - rude in a mean-spirited and surly way

clandestine - kept secret or done secretively

complacent - showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one's achievements/ self-satisfied

cumbersome - large or heavy and therefore difficult to carry or use/ unwieldy/ complicated, inefficient

debilitating - make someone weak and infirm/ hinder, delay

deliberate - done consciously and intentionally

droll - curious or unusual in a way that provokes dry amusement/ funny/ comic/ amusing

eccentric - (of a person) unconventional and slightly strange

fractious - irritable and quarrelsome/ difficult to control, unruly

limpid - completely clear and transparent/ accessible or melodious

mawkish - sentimental in an exaggerated or false way

obeisance - deferential respect, bow or curtsy

ostentatious - characterized by pretentious or showy display; designed to impress

panacea - a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases

perfunctory - carried out without real interest, feeling/ desultory

perilous - fall of danger or risk

pervasive - (unwelcome influence) spreading widely throughout an area or a group of people

preclude - prevent from happening; make impossible

predilection - a preference or special liking for something/ bias in favor

rapacious - aggressively greedy or grasping

relish - great enjoyment/ pleasurable anticipation

satirical - containing or using satire/ mocking another's weakness

sham - a person who pretends to be someone or something they are not

skirt - be situated along or around the edge of/ avoid dealing with

sluggish - slow moving, lacking energy or alertness

spartan - austerity or lack of comfort or luxury/ harsh/ hard/ frugal

truculent - eager to argue; aggressively defiant

acrimonious - angry and bitter

belligerent - hostile and aggressive

beneficent - generous and doing good

canny - showing shrewdness and good judgment especially in money or business

cavalier - dashing man as a lady's escort/ showing lack of concern

distressed - suffering from extreme anxiety, sorrow or pain

dwindling - gradually diminishing in size, amount or strength

eclipse - deprive something of significance and power

encyclopedia - comprehensive in terms of information

exacerbate - make problems worse

exasperated - intensely irritated and frustrated

fungible - mutually interchangeable

hackneyed - having been overused; unoriginal and trite

incongruous - not in harmony or keeping with surroundings

interchangeable - apparently identical

laconic - using very few words

lucrative - providing a great deal or profit

magisterial - domineering, dictatorial

onerous - involving great deal of effort, trouble, and burdensome

opprobrium - harsh criticism or censure

parsimonious - very unwilling to spend money or use resources

peripheral - minor importance, marginal

provocative - causing anger or another strong reaction, especially deliberately/ annoying

renounce - formally declare one's abandonment

tempestuous - characterized by strong or conflicting emotion

tenable - defensible

transgression - act that goes against law

urbane - courteous and refined in manner

verisimilitude - the appearance of being true or real

vitiate - spoil or impair thee quality or efficiency of something

affinity - a natural liking for something/ resemblance

altruistic - selfless

baroque - highly ornate and extravagant in style

byzantine - excessively complicated/ characterized by deviousness

compromise - agreement/ harm by accepting standards that are lower than is desirable/ cause to become vulnerable

conciliatory - intended or likely to placate or pacify

countenance - facial expression/ support or approval

covert - not openly acknowledged or displayed/secretive, clandestine

credible - able to be believed, trustworthy

diffuse - spread out/ lacking clarity or conciseness, verbose

documentary - based on official documents or aspects, comprehensive

exhaustive - including all elements or aspects, comprehensive

exhilarating - thrilling, making one fell very happy, animated

extraneous - irrelevant or unrelated to the subject

fervor - intense and passionate feeling

futile - fruitless, pointless

illusory - based on illusion

invidious - unpleasant, unfair

lethargic - sluggish, lazy

metaphorical - figurative

mimic - imitate

numinous - having strong religious or spiritual quality

obscure - not discovered or known about/ abstruse

overt - done or shown openly

pellucid - clear, easily understood

perpetuate - make (something) continue indefinitely

rational - based on or in accordance with reason or logic

scathing - scornful/ harm

subtle - delicately complex/ making use of clever and indirect methods to achieve something

superficial - appearing to be true but not/ cursory/ not through

acquiesce - accept something reluctantly without protest

adroit - clever or skillful

amend - improve by minor change

animus - hostility or ill feeling/ motivation to do something

apologist - a person who offers an argument in defense of something controversial/ defender

astringent - sharp or severe in manner or style/ causing the contraction of skin cells and other body tissues

collaborate - work jointly on an activity or project/ corporate

competent - efficient and capable

correlate - correspond, connect

deride - ridicule

dictate - an order or principle that must be obeyed/ give orders

discreet - careful in order to keep something confidential/ intentionally unobtrusive

divorced - separate from something typically with an undesirable effect

elitist - demonstrating a superior attitude or behavior associated with an elite

exacting - demanding/ inflict (revenge) on someone

flummoxed - bewildered or perplexed

fruitful - fertile, productive

inborn - natural to a person, or animal

polymath - a person of wide knowledge or learning

reticent - reserved, not revealing one's feelings readily

stringent - strict, precise and exacting

subservient - prepared to obey others unquestioningly, subordinate

surreptitious - keep secret, especially because it would not be approved of

tantalizing - torment or teasing with the sight or promise of something unobtainable

tantamount - equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as

torpor - a state of physical or mental inactivity, lethargy

trenchant - vigorous or incisive in expression or style

umbrage - offense or annoyance

versatile - adoptable to many different functions or activities

wayward - difficult to control or predict because of willful or perverse behavior

alienate - make someone feel isolated or estranged

apathy - lack of interest, enthusiasm or concern

apropos - with reference to; concerning/very appropriate to a particular situation

apt - suitable in the circumstances/ having a tendency to do something/ quick to learn

cloak - something serving to hide or disguise something

consensus - a general agreement

distort - pull or twist out of shape/give an misleading or false account of or impression of

divergent - tending to be different or develop in different directions

elated - make someone ecstatically happy

enchant - fill someone with great delight/ put under a spell

entrenched - (of an attitude, habit or belief) firmly established and difficult or unlikely to change; ingrained

exotic - organizing in or characteristic of a distant foreign country/ attractive/ specially produced

exploitative - treating others unfairly in order to gain an advantage

foreseeable - able to foreseen or predicted

forsake - abandon, renounce

gratify - give someone pleasure or satisfaction

heed - pay attention to/ take notice of

judicious - having, showing or done with good judgment

lucid - expressed clearly; easy to understand

pertinent - relevant to a particular matter, apposite

propriety - conformity to conventionally accepted standards of behavior/ the condition of being right

scintillation - shining brightly/ brilliantly clever

sensational - causing great public interest and excitement

sophisticated - having, revealing or involving a great deal of worldly experience and knowledge of fashion or culture

strife - angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues

understated - presented or expressed in a subtle and effective way

unscrupulous - having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair

veracity - conformity to facts; accuracy/ habitual truthfulness

virulent - (of a disease or poison) extremely severe or harmful in its effects/ bitterly hostile

volatile - (of a substance) easily evaporated at normal temperatures / liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse

antedate - precede in time/ come before in date

banish - send someone away from a country as an official punishment/ get rid of

bridle - used to control movement/ show one's anger

comply - act in accordance with a wish or command

crestfallen - sad and disappointed

curtain - piece of material/ a disastrous outcome

elucidate - make something clear/ explain

evade - escape or avoid something especially by guile or trickery

feckless - lacking initiative or strength of character, irresponsible

fester - (of wound) become septic, (of feeling) become worse,

iconoclastic - criticizing cherished beliefs or institutions

immure - enclose or confine against their will

improvise - create and perform spontaneously or without prep/ make from whatever is available

inhibit - prevent/ make someone self-conscious/ forbid to function

inscrutable - impossible to understand or interpret

lionize - give a lot of public attention and approval to someone

monotonous - dull, tedious, lacking in variety

peculiar - strange/ particular; special/ belonging exclusively to

premeditate - think out or plan beforehand

profligate - wasteful in the use of resources/ licentious, dissolute

recondite - restore/ settle/ show to be compatible/accept

refine - remove impurities/ make minor changes to improve

relinquish - voluntarily cease to keep or claim/ give up

ruminate - think deeply about something

skittish - (of animal) easily scared, (of person) unpredictable, playfully frivolous

superfluous - unnecessary, especially through being more than enough/ surplus, redundant

synoptic - of or forming general summary/ taking or involving a comprehensive mental views

thorough - complete with regard to every detail

visionary - thinking about or planning the future with imagination

vociferous - expressing by vehement opinions, loud and forceful/ outspoken

acclaim - praise enthusiastically and publicly

ascertain - find (something) out for certain, make sure of

assertive - having or showing a confident and forceful personality

bogus - not genuine or true

cataclysmic - large-scale and violent

circumscribe - restrict (something) within limits

complementary - combining in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of each other or another

contentious - controversial, quarrelsome

disingenuous - not candid or sincere/ typically pretending that one

divulge - make known (private or sensitive info)/ disclose/ reveal

dogmatic - inclined to law down principles as underlying true/ highly opinionated

fallacious - based on a mistaken belief

foolhardy - recklessly bold or harsh

hinder - obstruct/ (body part) rear, hind

impair - weaken or damage

impugn - dispute the truth, call into question/ challenge

incessant - continuing without pause or interruption

inclined - sloping/ willing to do something/ make someone disposed to do something

inveterate - long-established and unlikely to change

miserly - of or characteristic by of a miser/(quantity) pitiably small/ inadequate

patent - government authority or license/ easily recognizable

petulant - bad-tempered/ peevish/ childishly sulky

pithy - (of plant) containing much pith, (of language or style) terse and vigorously expressive

pithy - (of plant) containing much pith, (of language or style) terse and vigorously expressive

sanctimonious - making a show of being morally superior to other people/ self-righteous

sound - not damaged/ good judgment/ competent/ an idea or impression conveyed by words

tarnish - make or become less valuable or respected

tepid - lukewarm/ showing little enthusiasm

upbraid - find fault with/ scold

vexation - the state of being annoyed, frustrated or worried

abet - encourage or assist someone to do something wrong

accessible - able to be reached or entered

acquisitive - excessively interested in acquiring money or materials

amalgamate - combine or unite to form one organization or structure

attenuate - reduce the force, effect or value of

augment - make something greater by adding to it, increase

aversion - a strong dislike or disinclination

blithe - showing a casual and cheerful indifference considered to be callous or improper

contempt - the feeling that a person or a thing is worthless or beneath consideration

dawdle - waste time, be slow

deflect - cause to change direction/ cause to deviate from intended

discount - regard as being unworthy of consideration

dissident - in opposition of official policy/ dissenting

efficacious - successful in producing a desired result, effective

equitable - fair and impartial

erratic - not even or regular in pattern or movement, unpredictable

industrious - diligent and hardworking

inform - give facts or information

irksome - irritation, annoying

manacle - shackles/ handcuffs

modest - not large, elaborate or expensive/ self-deprecating

noxious - harmful, poisonous or very unpleasant

pernicious - having a harmful effect especially in a gradual way

predicament - a difficult, unpleasant or embarrassing situation

proficient - competent or skilled in doing or using something

prolix - lengthy(speech or writing)

scorn - contempt/ refuse to do something because one is to proud

subordinate - of less or secondary importance

unseemly - not proper or appropriate

veritable - used for emphasis, often to quality a metaphor

acolyte - an assistant or follower

anoint - rubbing with oil/ choose as successor to or leading candidate for a position

base - use as the foundation or starting point of something/ sordid, improper, low

coercion - the action or practice of persuading someone to do something by using force or threat

coin - invent, create/ money

cunning - skill in achieving one's ends by deceit

discomfort - make someone feel uneasy or embarrassed

dissent - disagreement

distill - purify / extract the essential meaning or most important aspects of

dubious - hesitating/ not to be relied upon, morally suspect

ebullient - cheerful and full of energy

facetious - treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant

fallible - capable of making mistakes or being wrongs

florid - having red or flushed complexion/ excessively intricate or elaborate

gawky - nervously awkward and ungainly

inveigle - persuade someone to do something by means of deception or flattered

jettison - abandon or discard/ throw or drop

mendacity - untruthfulness

munificent - characterized by great generosity

naive - showing lack of experience, innocent

noble - belonging by rank/ high moral principles/superior quality

parochial - narrow-minded, limited outbreak or scope/ church

pedestrian - lacking excitement, dull/ walking rather than vehicle

prevaricate - speak or act in an evasive way

prime - of first importance/ most suitable/ hey-day

radical - far-reaching, thorough, revolutionary

recrudescence - the recurrence of an undesirable condition

temporal - secular, worldly, non-spiritual

transitory - not permanent

viable - capable of working successfully feasible

abreast - side by side and facing the same way

confound - cause surprise or confusion/ prove theory wrong/ defeat/ mixed up with something else

digression - a temporary departure from the main subject in speech or writing

discrepancy - an illogical or surprising lack of compatibility or inconsistency

duplicitous - deceitful, (law) containing more than one allegation

expedient - convenient and practical although possibly improper or immoral

fabricate - invent in order to deceive/ construct or manufacture especially from prepared component

glum - looking or feeling dejected, morose, gloomy

harbinger - a person or thing that announces or signals the approaches of another

intrinsic - belonging naturally, essential

largess - generosity in bestowing money or gifts

libertine - a person who freely indulges in sensual pleasures without moral principles

malfeasance - wrongdoing, especially by a public official

manifest - obvious/ demonstrate/ become apparent through the appearance of a symptoms,(of ghost) appear

minute - insignificant/ (of investigation) taking the smaller points into consideration/ summarized record

modish - following what is currently popular and fashionable

nascent - just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential

perennial - everlasting/ permanently engaged in a specified role or way of life

pious - devoutly religious/hypocrite/ (of a hope) sincere but not likely to be fulfilled

providential - occurring at a favorable time/ involving divine foresight or providence

prowess - expertise in a particular activity or field/ bravery in battle

schism - split between strongly opposed sections or parties

slander - defame, making false statements

stalwart - loyal, reliable and hardworking

supplicate - ask or beg something earnestly or humbly

terse - sparing in the use of words, abrupt

tirade - a long angry speech of criticism or accusation

universal - applicable to all cases/ ubiquitous

vanquish - defeat thoroughly, conquer

woeful - very bad/ causing sorrow or misery

abject - experienced or present to the maximum degree (of bad) extremely unpleasant and degrading

amicable - characterized by friendliness

animosity - strong hostility

aver - state or assert to the case, declare/ allege as fact in a support of a plea(LAW context)

barrage - overwhelming number of questions, criticisms etc

cathartic - providing psychological belief through the open expression of strong emotions

decipher - succeed in understanding interpreting or identifying

delusion - deception misleading / mental disorder

dispense - supply or release/ get rid of

eloquent - clearly expressing or indicating something

enthrall - capture the fascinated attention of, charm, enchant

eradicate - destroy completely

fledgling - immature, inexperienced, underdeveloped, emerging

fortitude - courage in pain or adversity

fortuitous - happening by chance rather than intention

goad - provoke or annoy someone as the stimulate on action

imminent - about to happen

incontrovertible - not able to be denied or disputed

itinerant - traveling from place to place

magnanimous - generous or forgiving

meritorious - deserving reward or praise

mutiny - open rebellion against the proper authorities

paradoxical - seemingly absurd or self-contradicting

perseverance - persistence in doing something despite difficulty

render - provide/ make/ cause to become/ represent/ translate/ perform/ melt down/ cover

repertoire - collection/ stock of skills or types of behavior that a person habitually does

resilient - able to withstand or recover quickly from difficulty conditions

resolute - admirably purposeful, determined

supple - flexible/ easily manipulated

valor - great courage in the face of danger

cumbersome - unwieldy, unmanageable, complicated

unprecedented - never done or known before

stinting - supply ungenerous or inadequate amount of something

extrapolate - estimate or conclude something by extrapolating

liability - state of being responsible/ a person whose presence or behavior likely to put one at a disadvantages

euphoric - characterized by feeling intense excitement

elementary - most basic kind/ straightforward and uncomplicated

heterodox - not conforming with accepted or orthodox standards or beliefs

fervent - having or displaying a passionate intensity

gaffe - an unintentional act or remark causing embarrassment

temper - act as a neutralizing or counterbalancing force to something

painstaking - done with or employing great care and thoroughness

economy - careful management and available resources

qualm - uneasy feeling of doubt/ misgiving, doubt

exonerate - absolve from blame for wrongdoing/ release from duty

implicit - suggested though not directed expressed expressed/ always to be found in/ absolute

phlegmatic - unemotional and stolidly calm disposition/ self-controlled

propensity - natural tendency to behave in a particular way

foment - instigate or stir up

embellish - decorate/ make more interesting by adding extra details

inviolate - free or safe from injury or violation

renege - go back on a promise, undertaking, or contact

arresting - eye-catching /seize/ attract the attention/ stop or check

obstinate - very difficult to change or overcome

vivacious - attractively lively and animated

histrionic - dramatic behavior designed to attract attention

prodigious - remarkably great in extent size or degree

tentative - provisional/ not certain or fixed, hesitant

falter - lose strength or momentum/ move hesitantly

chastise - rebuke or reprimand severely, punish

intermittent - sporadic, not continuous or steady

profound - very great or intense/ showing great knowledge

propagate - reproduce / spread or promote

allusive - using or containing suggestion rather than explicit mention

glib - fluent but insincere and shallow

curb - restrain or check on something

lull - make someone feel deceptively secure or confident/ calm

mettlesome - full of spirit and courage, lively

astute - shrewd

fawn - give a servile display of exaggerated flattery or affection

precipitous - dangerously high or steep/ done suddenly or without careful consideration

repercussion - unintended consequence of an event or action

regress- return to a former or less developed state

refute - disprove, deny or contradict

replenish - fill something up again, restore

evoke - bring or recall/ elicit(response)/ invoke

ire - anger

languid - having or showing disinclination for physical effort/ weak from illness or fatigue

mollify - appease the anger or anxiety/ reduce the severity

pretentious - ostentatious, attempting to impress by affecting greater important or merit than is actually possessed

duress - threats, violence, constraint or other action used to coerce someone into doing something

vigilant - keeping careful watch for possible danger and difficulties

headstrong - energetically willful and determined

convalescent - recovering from illness or medical treatment

nonplussed - so surprised and confused that one is unsure how to act

fret - visibly anxious / gradually wear away by rubbing / flow in waves

decry - publicly denounce

recourse - source of help in difficult situation/ legal right to demand compensation

commence - begin

neutralize - counteract, offset, counterbalance

exorcise - completely remove from one's mind or memory(unpleasant)

finicky - fussy about their needs, greater attention to detail

assail - attack/ trouble/ criticize strongly

contravene - offend against the prohibition/ conflict with

reiterate - repeat, typically for emphasis or clarity

poignant - keen sense of sadness or regret

inundate - overwhelm with things or people to be dealt with flood

oblivion - unaware

ironclad - covered or protected with iron

plaintive - sounding sad and mournful

surmount - overcome difficulty/ stand on top of

escalate - increase rapidly, make more intense or serious

denounce - publicly declare to be wrong/ inform against

foil - prevent from succeeding/ frustrate the efforts

deviate - depart from an established course

buoyant - cheerful and optimistic/ (economy) engaged in successful trade on activity / floating

benevolent - well meaning and kindly

intertwine - connect or link closely/ twist or twine together

berate - scold or criticize angrily

quiescent - in a state or period of inactivity or dormancy

mercurial - subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

despotic - of or typical of a despot, tyrannical/ autocratic

perpetrate - carry out or commit(harmful, illegal or immoral action)

subsume - include or absorb in something else

subside - become less intense, violent or severe/go down to a lower or the normal level

condone - accept (behavior that is considered morally wrong)

tangential - relating to or along a tangent/ diverging from a previous course or line

jeopardize - threaten, endanger

disinterested - unbiased

buttress - support/ increase the strength of or justification for

bereft - deprived of or lacking (something)/ sad and lonely

frailty - weak and delicate/ weakness in character or morals

disentangle - free from something that they are entangled with

pomposity - the quality of being pompous; self-importance

delineate - describe or portray precisely/ indicate the exact

conclusive - (of evidence or argument) having or likely to have the effort of proving a case

vitality - the state of being strong and active; energy

steadfast - resolutely or dutifully firm and unwavering, loyal

archetype - a very typical example of a certain person or thing

relent - become less severe and intense

grievance - unfair treatment

harangue - a lengthy and aggressive speech

auspicious - conductive to success, favorable

yield - produce or provide/ surrender/ give way under force or pressure

appropriate - proper/ seize/ devote to a special purpose

rhetoric - the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing

conspire - make secret plans jointly

whimsical - playfully fanciful/ acting in a capricious manner

proxy - the authority to represent someone else

sparse - thinly dispersed or scattered, in short supply

adverse - preventing success, harmful

exhort - strongly encourage or urge

poise - graceful, composure and dignity of manner

adept - very skilled at something

tedious - too long, slow or dull

rigor - the quality of being extremely thorough and careful

articulate - ability to speak fluently/ jointed segments

suspect - doubt the genuineness

play - cunning plan/ an activity done for amusement

captious - tending to find fault or raise petty objections

lugubrious - looking or sending sad and dismal

transcend - go beyond the range/ surpass

flustered - make (someone) agitated or confused

incidental - occurring by chance/ happening as a result/ less important

axiomatic - self-evident or unquestionable

macabre - disturbing because concerned with or causing a fear of death

gullible - easily persuaded to believe something, credulous

ingrained - firmly fixed or established/ difficult to change

tacit - understood or implied without being stated, implicit

exorbitant - unreasonably high (of price or amount)

serene - calm, peaceful and untroubled, tranquil

treatise - a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject

corporeal - relating to a person's body especially as opposed to their spirit, (law) consisting of material objects

figurative - departing from a literal use of words, metaphorical

morose - sullen and ill-tempered

fickle - changing frequently especially as regard one's loyalties or affections/ capricious

ramification - a complex or unwelcome consequence of an action

eclectic - deriving ideas, style or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources

apprehensive - anxiety or fear that something bad will happen

idiosyncratic - peculiar or individual

insolent - showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect

ardent - very enthusiastic or passionate

doctrinaire - dogmatic, rigid seeking to impose a doctrine in all circumstances without regard to practical considerations

officious - intrusively enthusiastic in offering help or advice/ interfering

cease - come or bring to an end

lavish - very generous or extravagant/ rich

conductive - having the property of conducting something

equanimity - calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation

supplant - supersede and replace

lampoon - publicly criticize someone by using ridicule, irony or sarcasm

bombastic - high-sounding but with little meaning, inflated

lambaste - criticize harshly

undercut - offer goods or services at a lower price than competitor

euphemism - polite term/ coy term

turpitude - depraved of wicked behavior or character

peccadillo - a relatively minor fault or sin

antagonistic - cause to become hostile

barren - unproductive/ infertile/ lifeless

philistine - hostile or indifferent to culture and arts

relegate - assign an inferior rank or position to

dirge - a lament for the dead, especially one forming part of a funeral rite

imperturbable - unable to be upset or excited, calm

excoriate - criticize severely / remove part of the surface of skin

curmudgeon - a bad-tempered person, especially an old one

swindle - use deception to deprive (someone) of money or possessions

wheedle - use flattery or coaxing in order to persuade someone to do something or give one something

sentimental - prompted by feeling of tenderness, sadness or nostalgia

miscreant - a person who has done something wrong or unlawful

implacable - unable to be appeased or placated

haughty - arrogantly superior and disdainful

estimable - worthy of great respect

tangible - perceptible by touch/ clear and definite

chary - wary, cautiously or suspiciously reluctant to do something

repugnant - unacceptable / in conflict or incompatible with

xenophobic - having or showing a dislike against people from other counties/ racist

squander - waste in a reckless manner

cajole - persuade to do something by flattery

unalloyed - pure/ complete and unreserved

heady - intoxicating / having a strong or exhilarating effect

exigent - pressing, demanding

quibble - a slight criticism about a trivial matter; adverse comment; nitpicking

gauche - lacking ease or grace; unsophisticated and socially awkward; inelegant; ungainly

wily - skilled at gaining an advantage, especially deceitfully; clever; shrewd, crafty

sophistry - the use of fallacious arguments, especially with the intention of deceiving; specious arguments; fallacious argument; sophism; casuistry

agitated - feeling or appearing troubled or nervous; perturbed; flustered; unnerved; ruffled; rattled

quarantined - isolated

coy - (especially with reference to a woman) making a pretense of shyness or modesty that is intended to be alluring; reluctant to give details, especially about something regarded as sensitive; arch; simpering; demure; modest

hysterical - deriving from or affected by uncontrolled extreme emotion; overwrought; unrestrained; frenzied; (informal) extremely funny

recant - say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical; disavow; forswear; change one's mind; retract

quandary - a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation; a practical dilemma; impasse; stalemate

affront - an action or remark that causes outrage or offense; insult; offense; slight; snub; slur

endemic - (of a disease or social condition) found particularly in a specific area or group; (of a plant or animal) native and restricted to a certain place

abstract - consider (something) theoretically or separately from something else; extract or remove (something); used euphemistically to say that stolen something; (abstract oneself) withdraw

burnish - polish up; buff up; enhance or perfect (something such as a reputation or a skill)

disperse - break up; split up; dissipate; scatter; go into different direction

enmity - the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something; animosity; antipathy; animus; feud; discord; acrimony

retiring - shy and fond of being on one's own; diffident, shrinking; self-effacing; unassuming

ravage - lay waste; devastate; leave in ruins; wreak havoc on; leave desolate; pillage

inchoate - beginning; rudimentary; confused or incoherent

impudent - not showing due respect for another person; impertinent; brazen; cheeky; presumptuous

redoubtable - (of a person) formidable, especially as an opponent; fearsome; awe-inspiring

shrill - high-pitched; piercing; screeching

deprecate - express disapproval of; frown on; object to

disdain - scorn; deride; regard with contempt; sneer at; spurn; rebuff

quash - reject or void, especially by legal procedure; cancel; rescind; suppress; put to an end; stamp out

distend - swell or cause to swell by pressure from inside; bulge; enlarge; puff out/up; blow up/out

penchant - liking; fondness; preference; inclination; bent; predilection; proclivity

abeyance ((PHRASES)hold something in abeyance) - a state of suspension; a state of dormancy; a state of latency; pending; deferred; put off; postponed

august - respected and impressive; distinguished; eminent; venerable; hallowed; illustrious; esteemed; exalted; of distinction; of repute; aristocratic; imposing

substantiate - prove; show to be true; give substance to; support; justify; vindicate; corroborate; endorse; give credence to; vouch for, attest to

propitious - giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable

ominous - giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious

detente - the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries

outlandish - looking or sounding bizarre or unfamiliar

abscond - leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection of or arrest for an unlawful action such as theft; run away; flee; make a break for it; disappear; sneak away

imbroglio - an extremely confused, complicated, or embarrassing situation

languish - weaken, deteriorate, waste away, be disregarded, experience hardship

nimble - quick and light in movement or action; agile; (of the mind) quick to comprehend

prurient - having or encouraging an excessive interest in sexual matters

bawdy - dealing with sexual matters in a comical way; humorously indecent

croon - hum or sing in a soft, low voice, especially in a sentimental manner

aspersion - an attack on the reputation or integrity of someone or something

nadir - the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

dowdy - (of a person or their clothes) unfashionable and without style in appearance (typically used of a woman)

sadistic - deriving pleasure from inflicting pain, suffering, or humiliation on others

echelon - level, rank, position(MILITARY)

depose - remove from office suddenly and forcefully; (LAW) testify to or give (evidence) on oath, typically in a written statement

apogee - the highest point in the development of something; a climax or culmination

ennui - a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement

collude - cooperate in a secret or unlawful way in order to deceive or gain an advantage over others

conviction - declaration (or pronouncement) of guilt, sentence, judgement; a firmly held belief, the quality of showing that one is firmly convinced of what one believes or says

conflagration - an extensive fire which destroys a great deal of land or property

chagrin - distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated

contretemps - a minor dispute or disagreement; an unexpected and unfortunate occurrence

commiserate - offer sympathy to, be moved by, condole with

zenith - the time at which something is most powerful or successful

fulcrum - the point on which a lever rests or is supported and on which it pivots; a thing that plays a central or essential role in an activity, event, or situation

expatiate - speak or write at length or in detail

jocund - cheerful and lighthearted

fraught - (fraught with) (of a situation or course of action) filled with or likely to result in (something undesirable); causing or affected by anxiety or stress

slovenly - (appearance) messy and dirty; careless, excessively casual

factious - divided, schismatic, argumentative

spurn - reject with disdain or contempt

callow - (of a young person) inexperienced and immature

flagrant - (of something considered wrong or immoral) conspicuously or obviously offensive

remuneration - payment; earnings

bravado - a bold manner or a show of boldness intended to impress or intimidate

obstreperous - noisy and difficult to control

temerity - excessive confidence or boldness; audacity

odious - extremely unpleasant; repulsive

deportment - a person's behavior or manners

precocious - advanced, ahead, old beyond one's years

abide - continue; (abide by) - comply with

verve - vigor, buoyancy

intrigue - the secret planning of something illicit or detrimental

aberrant - deviant, transgressing

fallow - uncultivated, unplowed, inactive, dormant

tenuous - slight, very slender or fine, thin, shaky, insubstantial

obdurate - stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action

gratuitous - uncalled for, unwarranted, given or done free of charge

indecorous - improper, unseemly

soliloquy - interior monologue

stolid - impassive, calm, dull

capitulate - surrender, give in, yield, concede defeat

extemporize - improvise, ad lib

cogitate - think about, muse on

nominal - token, tiny

plucky - brave, intrepid

grovel - crawl, behave obsequiously

feint - bluff, ruse, expedient

crescendo - peak

apprise - inform or tell (someone)

extenuating - (of a factor or situation) serving to lessen the seriousness of an offense

shirk - avoid or neglect (a duty or responsibility)

ulterior - unapparent; secondary; intentionally hidden

beguile - Charm and enchant (someone), sometimes in a deceptive way

retaliate - fight back

hapless - unfortunate

voluble - talkative, wordy

ponderous - clumsy, dull, awkward

obfuscate - obscure, bewilder

pastiche - imitation, mixture

frenetic - frantic, wild

staunch - stalwart, very loyal and committed in attitude

abrogate - repudiate, revoke, repeal

sinecure - easy job; soft option

surfeit - excess

sinuous - winding, curving; lithe, supple

callous - heartless, unfeeling

sordid - unsavory, vile, louche, base, debased

coddle - pamper, cosset, mollycoddle

recluse - hermit, ascetic, loner, solitary

aghast - filled with horror or shock

perspicacious - astute, perceptive, observant

fringe - unconventional, unorthodox, peripheral, or extreme

rhapsody - elation, euphoria, exultation

ossify - become inflexible

boon - blessing, godsend

serendipitous - chance, accidental

immaculate - unblemished, clean, perfect

depravity - moral corruption, wickedness

indictment - a sign something should be condemned

turbid - murky

dilettante - a person who cultivates an area of interest, without real commitment or knowledge)

rampant - spreading unchecked

gregarious - fond of company; sociable; social

paragon - a perfect example or model

penurious - extremely poor, poverty-stricken

malevolent - wishing to do evil to others

effrontery - impertinent behavior

indignant - feeling or showing anger

remote - faraway, detached or distant

patronize - treat condescendingly

abstruse - difficult to understand

endow - provide with a quality or asset

ineluctable - unable to be resisted; inescapable

reprobate - unprincipled; an immoral person

turgid - swollen; inflated or bombastic

latitude - freedom for action or thought

piquant - having a sharp taste; intriguing

pacify - decrease anger or agitation

caricature - mock in an exaggerated way

encroach - intrude on a person's territory

vacuous - showing lack of thought

auxiliary - providing additional help

inquisitive - curious (positive connotation); prying (negative connotation)

mediate - intervene to settle a dispute

occlude - stop or close up an opening

entreat - ask someone earnestly

levity - humor, especially in serious matters