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Most Common GRE Words

Word List with 419 words
By Dictionary.com

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Words in This List

countenance

the look or expression of the face, also approval or encouragement; moral support

facetious

not meant to be taken seriously or literally, lacking serious intent; amusing or frivolous

pedantic

ostentatious in one's learning, overly concerned with minute details or formalisms, especially in teaching

esoteric

understood by or meant for only the select few who have special knowledge or interest; secret or confidential

ambiguous

open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations; difficult to comprehend, distinguish, or classify

See all words ‣

repudiate

to reject as having no authority or binding force, to cast off or disown

melancholy

affected with, characterized by, or showing sadness; mournful; soberly thoughtful

paradigm

a set of forms all of which contain a particular element, an example serving as a model or pattern

capricious

subject to, led by, or indicative of caprice or whim; erratic

ostentatious

characterized by or given to pretentious or conspicuous show in an attempt to impress others or attract notice

paradox

a statement or proposition that seems self-contradictory or absurd but in reality expresses a possible truth

mitigate

to lessen in force or intensity, as wrath, grief, harshness, or pain; moderate or make less severe

pragmatic

pertaining to a practical point of view or practical considerations

auspicious

promising success, favored by fortune; prosperous

plethora

overabundance, excess

lethargic

drowsy and sluggish

gullible

easily deceived or cheated

erudite

characterized by great knowledge; learned or scholarly

eclectic

selecting from various sources or made up of what is selected from different sources

obsequious

characterized by or showing servile complaisance or deference; fawning, servilely compliant or deferential

refute

to prove to be false or erroneous, as an opinion or charge

disingenuous

lacking in frankness, candor, or sincerity

lucid

easily understood; completely intelligible or comprehensible

opaque

not transparent or translucent; impenetrable to light; dark or dull

aesthetic

pertaining to the beautiful or the branch of philosophy dealing with such notions as the beautiful, the ugly, the sublime, the comic

mundane

pertaining to this world or earth as contrasted with heaven; earthly, common, ordinary, banal or unimaginative

hyperbole

obvious and intentional exaggeration; an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally

loquacious

talking or tending to talk much, excessively or freely

rhetoric

the undue use of exaggeration or display in writing or speech; bombast

apathy

absence or suppression of passion, emotion, or excitement; lack of interest in or concern for things that others find moving or exciting

discretion

the power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment; freedom of judgment or choice

articulate

to utter clearly and distinctly; pronounce with clarity

enigmatic

perplexing and mysterious

appropriate

to set apart and authorize for some specific purpose; to take for oneself or to take without permission or consent

acumen

keen insight or shrewdness

advocate

to speak or write in favor of; support or urge by argument; recommend publicly

innocuous

not harmful or injurious; harmless

gregarious

fond of the company of others; sociable

anathema

a person or thing detested, loathed, consigned to damnation or destruction; a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication

banal

devoid of freshness or originality; hackneyed or trite

efficacy

capacity for producing a desired result or effect; effectiveness

benign

having a kindly disposition; showing or expressive of gentleness or kindness

meticulous

taking or showing extreme care about minute details; precise and thorough

ephemeral

lasting a very short time, transitory

succinct

expressed in few words; concise or terse

reticent

disposed to be silent or not to speak freely; reluctant or restrained

contentious

tending to argument or strife; causing, involving, or characterized by controversy

ambiguity

doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention

insipid

without distinctive, interesting, or stimulating qualities; vapid or bland

alacrity

cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness

austere

severe in manner or appearance, rigorously self-disciplined and severely moral; lacking softness

presumptuous

unwarrantedly or impertinently bold; forward

dogmatic

of the nature of a dogma or doctrine, asserting opinions in an arrogant manner; opinionated

arcane

known or understood by very few; mysterious, secret or obscure

taciturn

inclined to silence; reserved in speech; dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner

impetuous

characterized by sudden or rash action; impulsive; moving with great force or violence

anomaly

a deviation from the common rule, type, arrangement, or form; an odd or peculiar condition

inherent

existing in someone or something as a permanent and inseparable element, quality, or attribute

pernicious

causing insidious harm or ruin, injury or hurt

spurious

not genuine, authentic, or true; pretended or counterfeit

contrite

showing sincere remorse; filled with a sense of guilt and the desire for atonement

volatile

tending or threatening to break out into open violence; changeable or mercurial

emulate

imitate with effort to equal or surpass or to rival with some degree of success

petulant

moved to or showing sudden, impatient irritation, especially over some trifling annoyance

convoluted

twisted or coiled; complicated or intricately involved

obstinate

firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose or opinion; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty

laconic

using few words; expressing much in few words; concise

propensity

a natural inclination or tendency

audacious

extremely bold or daring; recklessly brave and fearless, also extremely original

pique

a feeling of irritation or resentment, as from a wound to pride or self-esteem

prosaic

commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative; having the character of prose rather than poetry

mercurial

changeable, volatile, fickle, flighty and erratic

hegemony

leadership or predominant influence exercised by one nation over others; predominance

exacerbate

to increase the severity, bitterness, or violence of; aggravate

nascent

beginning to exist or develop

disparate

distinct in kind and essentially different; dissimilar

avarice

insatiable greed for riches; miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth

sporadic

appearing or happening at irregular intervals in time; scattered or isolated instances

assuage

to make milder or less severe; relieve, ease or mitigate

penchant

a strong inclination, taste, or liking for something

arduous

requiring great exertion; laborious, using much energy and vigor; full of hardships

specious

apparently good or right though lacking real merit; superficially pleasing

dearth

an inadequate supply; scarcity; lack as during famine

cogent

convincing or believable by virtue of forcible, clear, or incisive presentation

ambivalence

uncertainty, especially when caused by inability to make a choice or by a simultaneous desire to say or do two opposite or conflicting things

ameliorate

to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve

perfunctory

performed merely as a routine duty; hasty and superficial; lacking interest, care, or enthusiasm; indifferent or apathetic

lugubrious

mournful, dismal, or gloomy in an affected, exaggerated, or unrelieved manner

pithy

brief, forceful, and meaningful in expression; full of vigor, substance, or meaning; terse

empirical

depending upon experience or observation alone, without using scientific method or theory

tenuous

thin or slender in form like a thread; lacking a sound basis in reasoning; an unsubstantiated or weak stand, statement or argument

amenable

ready or willing to answer, open to influence, persuasion, or advice; agreeable

catalyst

a person or thing that precipitates an event or change

digress

to deviate or wander away from the main topic or purpose in speaking or writing

peruse

to read through with thoroughness or care, to examine in detail

indolent

having or showing a disposition to avoid exertion; slothful

tacit

understood without being openly expressed; implied, unvoiced or unspoken

latent

present but not visible, apparent, or actualized; existing as potential

placate

to appease or pacify, especially by concessions or conciliatory gestures

eloquent

having or exercising the power of fluent, forceful, and appropriate speech, characterized by forceful and appropriate expression

ascetic

a person who dedicates his or her life to a pursuit of contemplative ideals and practices extreme self-denial for religious reasons

vindictive

disposed or inclined to revenge; proceeding from or showing a revengeful spirit

caustic

capable of burning, corroding, or destroying living tissue; severely critical or sarcastic

garrulous

excessively talkative in a rambling, roundabout manner, especially about trivial matters

recalcitrant

resisting authority or control, not obedient or compliant

precarious

dependent on circumstances beyond one's control; uncertain, unstable or insecure

anachronism

something or someone that is not in its correct historical or chronological time, especially one that belongs to an earlier time

prodigal

wastefully or recklessly extravagant or lavish

diatribe

a bitter, sharply abusive denunciation, attack, or criticism

bane

a person or thing that ruins or spoils

morose

gloomily or sullenly ill-humored, as a person or mood; characterized by or expressing gloom

verbose

characterized by the use of many or too many words

deleterious

injurious to health

onerous

burdensome, oppressive, or troublesome; having obligations or that outweigh the advantages

rescind

to annul, revoke or repeal, to invalidate by a later action or a higher authority

axiom

a self-evident truth that requires no proof, a universally accepted principle or rule

abate

to reduce in amount, degree, or intensity

assiduous

unremitting; constant in application or effort; working diligently at a task

admonish

to caution, advise, to reprove or scold in a mild and good-willed manner

ostensible

outwardly appearing, professed or pretended

corroborate

to make more certain; confirm

lament

to feel or express sorrow or regret for, to mourn for something or someone

sagacious

having or showing acute mental discernment and keen practical sense; shrewd

sanction

authoritative permission that serves to support an action or condition

paucity

smallness of quantity, scarcity, insufficiency of number

fervent

having or showing great warmth or intensity of spirit, feeling, enthusiasm; ardent

terse

neatly or effectively concise, brief and pithy

bombastic

high-sounding, inflated or pretentious speech or writing

malevolent

wishing evil or harm to another or others; showing ill will

whimsical

given to whimsy or fanciful notions; capricious

decorum

dignified propriety of behavior, speech and dress; an observance or requirement of polite society

abscond

to depart in a sudden and secret manner, especially to avoid capture and legal prosecution

connoisseur

a person who is especially competent to pass critical judgments in an art, particularly one of the fine arts, or in matters of taste

obdurate

unmoved by persuasion, pity, or tender feelings; stubborn, unyielding

resolute

firmly resolved or determined, characterized by firmness and determination

apocryphal

of doubtful authorship or authenticity

diffident

lacking confidence in one's own ability, worth, or fitness; restrained or reserved in manner or conduct

zealot

an excessively zealous person or a fanatic

archaic

marked by the characteristics of an earlier period; antiquated or primitive

guile

insidious cunning in attaining a goal; crafty or artful deception

inchoate

not yet completed or fully developed; just begun; incipient; not organized

ingenuous

free from reserve, restraint, or dissimulation; candid or sincere

fortuitous

happening or produced by chance; lucky or fortunate

endemic

characteristic of a specific people or place; native or indigenous

fatuous

foolish or inane, especially in an unconscious, complacent manner; silly

halcyon

calm and tranquil; rich and prosperous; happy and carefree

disparage

to treat slightingly or belittle

irascible

easily provoked to anger; very irritable

propriety

conformity to established standards of good or proper behavior or manners

misanthrope

a person who dislikes other people

hackneyed

made commonplace or trite; stale or banal

vindicate

to clear, as from an accusation, imputation or suspicion; to uphold or justify by argument or evidence

acerbic

sour or astringent in taste; harsh or severe, as of temper or expression

approbation

approval; commendation or official sanction

platitude

a flat, dull, or trite remark uttered as if it were fresh or profound

sordid

morally ignoble or base; meanly selfish, self-seeking, or mercenary

impede

to retard in movement or progress by means of obstacles or hindrances

precipitate

to hasten the occurrence of; bring about prematurely, or to cast or plunge violently

maverick

an unbranded calf that is separated from its mother, or a lone dissenter who takes an independent stand apart from his or her associates

perennial

lasting for an indefinitely long time; enduring

adroit

expert or nimble in the use of the hands or body; cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious

quotidian

daily, usual or customary; everyday

flippant

frivolously disrespectful, shallow, or lacking in seriousness; characterized by levity

pusillanimous

lacking courage or resolution; timid

levity

lightness of mind, character, or behavior; lack of appropriate seriousness or earnestness

tirade

a prolonged outburst of bitter, outspoken denunciation

obviate

to anticipate and prevent or eliminate difficulties by effective measures; render unnecessary

inscrutable

incapable of being investigated, analyzed, or scrutinized; not easily understood; mysterious

odious

deserving or causing hatred; highly offensive

blithe

joyous, merry, or gay in disposition; without thought or regard

phlegmatic

not easily excited to action or display of emotion; self-possessed, calm, or composed

deference

respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion or will of another

paragon

a model or pattern of excellence or of a particular excellence

voracious

craving or consuming large quantities of food; exceedingly eager or avid

soporific

causing sleep; characterized by drowsiness

accolade

award, honor, or laudatory notice; originally a light touch on the shoulder with the flat side of the sword in the ceremony of conferring knighthood

feign

to invent fictitiously or deceptively, as a story or an excuse

extant

still existing, not destroyed or lost

abeyance

temporary inactivity, cessation, or suspension

prevaricate

to speak falsely, deliberately misstate or create an incorrect impression; to lie

antipathy

a basic, or habitual repugnance; aversion or dislike

boisterous

rough and noisy, jolly or rowdy; clamorous and unrestrained

propitious

presenting favorable conditions; auspicious

salacious

lustful or lecherous; obscene writing or photographs

appease

to bring to a state of peace, quiet, ease, calm, or contentment

dilettante

a person who takes up an art, activity, or subject merely for amusement, especially in a superficial way; a dabbler

aberrant

departing from the right, normal, or usual course; exceptional

umbrage

offense, annoyance or displeasure; the slightest indication or vaguest feeling of suspicion, doubt or hostility

invidious

calculated to create ill will, resentment or give offense; hateful

filial

pertaining to or befitting a son or daughter; noting or having the relation of a child to a parent

elegy

a mournful, melancholy poem, especially in remembrance of the dead

truculent

fierce; cruel; brutally harsh or aggressively hostile

iconoclast

a person who attacks cherished beliefs, traditional institutions, or religions as being based on error or superstition

incipient

beginning to exist or appear; in an initial stage

anomalous

deviating from or inconsistent with the common order, form, or rule; not fitting into a common or type or pattern

partisan

an adherent or supporter of a person, group, party, or cause, especially one that shows a biased, emotional allegiance

opprobrium

the disgrace incurred by conduct considered outrageously shameful; infamy

exigent

requiring immediate action or aid; requiring a great deal, or more than is reasonable

vacillate

to waver in mind or opinion; be indecisive or irresolute

desultory

lacking in consistency or visible order; random

lassitude

weariness of body or mind from strain; a condition of indolent indifference

apposite

suitable, well-adapted, pertinent, relevant or apt

inhibit

to restrain, hinder, arrest, or check; to prohibit or forbid

implacable

not to be appeased, mollified, or pacified

eulogy

a speech or writing in praise and in honor of a deceased person

effrontery

shameless or impudent boldness; barefaced audacity

inimical

adverse in tendency or effect, unfavorable; unfriendly or hostile

turgid

swollen, distended, tumid; overblown or pompous

bolster

to support with a pillow or cushion, or to support and uphold

pristine

having its original purity; uncorrupted or unsullied

neophyte

a beginner or novice, a person newly converted to a belief, as a heathen, heretic, or nonbeliever

credulous

willing to believe or trust too readily without proper or adequate evidence; gullible

anodyne

a medicine that relieves or allays pain

iniquity

gross injustice or wickedness; a violation of right or duty

apotheosis

the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god; an ideal example

exonerate

to clear, as of an accusation; free from guilt or blame

demur

the act of making objection

dissonance

inharmonious or harsh sound; a simultaneous combination of tones conventionally accepted as being in a state of needing completion

viscous

of a thick nature or consistency

rue

to feel sorrow over or regret bitterly; to wish that something had never taken place

salubrious

favorable to or promoting health

pungent

sharply affecting the organs of taste or smell, as if by a penetrating power; biting or acrid

flout

to treat with disdain, scorn, or contempt

reprobate

morally depraved, unprincipled or bad; rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation

inert

having no inherent power of action, motion, or resistance

abstain

to hold oneself back voluntarily, especially from something regarded as improper or unhealthy

apprise

to give notice to; inform or advise

amalgamate

to combine, unite, merge, or coalesce

castigate

to criticize or reprimand severely, or punish in order to correct

apostate

a person who forsakes his religion, cause or party

luminous

radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright; enlightened, as in a writer or a writer's works

engender

to produce, cause, or give rise to

belie

show to be false; to misrepresent or act unworthily according to some standard

chicanery

trickery or deception by quibbling or sophistry

derivative

not original but secondary

fallacious

containing a fallacy; logically unsound or misleading

noxious

harmful or injurious to health or physical well-being; morally harmful, corrupting or pernicious

august

inspiring reverence or admiration; of supreme dignity or grandeur; majestic

immutable

unchangeable, changeless

enervate

to deprive of force or strength; destroy the vigor of and weaken

exhort

to urge, advise, or caution earnestly; urgently admonish

itinerant

traveling from place to place, journeying

harangue

a scolding or a long or intense verbal attack; a long, passionate, vehement speech delivered before a public gathering

venerate

to regard or treat with reverence

stint

to limit to a certain amount, number, share, or allowance, often inappropriately

recondite

dealing with very profound or difficult subject matter; beyond ordinary knowledge or understanding

precursor

a person, animal, or thing that goes before and indicates the approach of someone or something else; harbinger

perfidy

deliberate breach of faith or trust

imperious

domineering in a haughty manner; dictatorial or overbearing

renege

to break a rule of play or go back on one's word

attenuate

to weaken or reduce in force, intensity, effect, quantity, or value; to make thin, slender or fine

stolid

not easily stirred or moved mentally; unemotional or impassive

probity

integrity and uprightness; honesty

gauche

lacking social grace, sensitivity, or acuteness; awkward, crude or tactless

culpable

deserving blame or censure; blameworthy

intractable

not easily controlled or directed; not docile or manageable; stubborn

subpoena

the usual writ for the summoning of witnesses or the submission of evidence, as records or documents, before a court

impugn

to challenge as false; to cast doubt upon

tortuous

full of twists, turns, or bends; not direct or straightforward, as in procedure or speech

laud

to praise, extol

insular

of or pertaining to an island or islands, or detached and isolated

churlish

boorish and rude, difficult to work or deal with

reverent

feeling, exhibiting, or characterized by reverence; deeply respectful

noisome

offensive or disgusting, such as an odor; harmful or injurious to health

equivocate

to use ambiguous or unclear expressions, usually to avoid commitment or in order to mislead

pedestrian

lacking in vitality, imagination or distinction; commonplace or dull

fell

an upland pasture, moor, or thicket; a highland plateau

compendium

a brief account of an extensive subject; a summary

impecunious

having little or no money; penniless, poor

excoriate

to denounce or berate severely; to strip off or remove the skin from; verbally flay

homogeneous

composed of parts or elements that are all of the same kind; of the same kind or nature

officious

objectionably aggressive in offering one's unrequested and unwanted services, help, or advice; meddlesome

confound

to perplex or amaze by a sudden disturbance or surprise; to throw into confusion or disorder

dissolution

the act or process of resolving or dissolving into parts or elements, the undoing or breaking of a bond, tie, union or partnership

sedulous

diligent in application or attention; persistently or carefully maintained

inundate

to flood or cover with water; deluge, or to overwhelm

trenchant

incisive or keen, as language or a person; vigorous, effective and energetic

querulous

full of complaints; complaining or peevish

intransigent

refusing to agree or compromise; inflexible

occlude

to close, shut, or stop up

pervade

to become spread throughout all parts of

fledgling

young, new, or inexperienced

palliate

to relieve or lessen without curing; to try to conceal the gravity of an offense by excuses or apologies

denigrate

to speak damagingly in a derogatory manner; to treat or represent as lacking in value or importance

philanthropic

pertaining to or engaged in benevolent giving, engaging in the betterment of condition for others; charitable work

augury

the art or practice of divination or a related omen, token, or indication

solicitous

anxious or concerned about; desirous or eager

deprecate

to express earnest disapproval of; to protest against a scheme

mendacious

telling lies, habitually dishonest, untruthful

relegate

to send or consign to an inferior position, place, or condition

mollify

to soften in feeling or temper; pacify or appease; reduce or soften

perfidious

deliberately faithless, treacherous or deceitful

foment

to instigate or foster discord or ill feeling

torpid

inactive or sluggish; slow; dull or lethargic

turpitude

vile, shameful or base character or act

deride

to laugh at in scorn or contempt; scoff, jeer or mock

satiate

to supply with anything to excess, so as to disgust or weary; or to satisfy to the full

proscribe

to denounce or condemn as dangerous or harmful; prohibit or banish into exile

vitiate

to impair or weaken the effectiveness of; invalidate

fawn

to seek notice or favor by servile demeanor or to behave affectionately

mendacity

the quality of being untruthful, an instance of lying

magnanimity

the quality of being extremely generous

din

a loud, confused noise, continued or tumultuous

dilatory

tending to delay or procrastinate; to slow

prolix

extended to great, unnecessary, or tedious length; long and wordy

venal

willing to sell one's influence in return for a bribe

penury

extreme poverty or destitution

dissemble

to give a false or misleading appearance to; conceal the truth or real nature of something in a feign

propitiate

to make favorably inclined; appease

aver

to assert with confidence; declare in a positive or peremptory manner

timorous

full of fear, subject to fear; timid

peremptory

leaving no opportunity for denial or refusal; imperative, decisive or final

felicitous

well-suited for the occasion, as an action, manner, or expression; apt or appropriate

salutary

promoting or conducive to health; wholesome

temperate

moderate or self-restrained; not extreme in opinion, statement, or overly indulgent in appetite or passion

florid

reddish, ruddy or rosy; flowery or excessively ornate

fetid

having an offensive odor; stinking

craven

cowardly, contemptibly timid, pusillanimous

dirge

a funeral song expressing mourning in commemoration of the dead

complaisant

inclined or disposed to please; agreeable or gracious

munificent

extremely liberal in giving; very generous

recant

to withdraw or disavow a statement or opinion; to formally retract

aspersion

a damaging or derogatory remark or criticism; the act of slandering

saturnine

sluggish in temperament; gloomy or taciturn

tractable

easily managed or controlled; docile; easily worked, shaped, or otherwise handled

accretion

an increase by natural growth or by gradual external addition; growth in size or extent

impassive

without emotion, unmoved; calm or serene

strut

to walk with a vain, pompous bearing, as with head erect and chest thrown out

ebullience

high spirits, exhilaration or exuberance

talisman

a stone, ring, or other object supposed to possess occult powers to be worn as an amulet or charm

burgeon

to grow or develop quickly; flourish

gossamer

a fine, filmy cobweb seen on grass or bushes or floating in the air in calm weather; any thin, light fabric with this quality

fervid

heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm; burning, glowing or intensely hot

refractory

hard or impossible to manage; stubbornly disobedient

tendentious

having or showing a definite tendency, bias, or purpose

dupe

a person who is easily deceived, a gullible person who unquestioningly or unwittingly serves a cause or another person

astringent

harshly biting, stern or severe; sharply incisive or pungent

oscillate

to swing or move to and fro, as a pendulum does, or to vacillate between differing beliefs, opinions or conditions

turbid

not clear or transparent because of stirred-up sediment; clouded, opaque or obscured

waver

an act of fluttering or vacillating

discordant

being at variance; disagreeing or harsh

panegyric

a lofty oration or writing in praise of a person or thing; an eulogy

expiate

make amends or reparation for

encomium

a formal expression of high praise; eulogy

aggrandize

to widen in scope, enlarge or extend, to make greater in power, wealth, rank, or honor

buttress

any prop or support built to steady a structure by opposing its outward thrusts

adumbrate

to produce a faint image or resemblance of; to foreshadow, darken or partially conceal

untoward

unfavorable or unfortunate; improper

antagonism

an active hostility or opposition, as between unfriendly or conflicting groups; an opposing force or tendency

multifaceted

having many facets, such as a gem, or having many aspects or phases

exculpate

to clear from a charge of guilt or fault; free from blame

flag

to fall off in vigor, energy, activity, interest; to hang loosely or droop

veracious

habitually speaking the truth; characterized by truthfulness; honest in content

sinuous

having many curves, bends, or turns; winding and indirect; devious.

imperturbable

incapable of being upset or agitated; not easily excited, calm

penurious

extremely stingy, parsimonious or miserly; extremely poor

daunt

to overcome with fear; intimidate

adulterate

to debase or make impure by adding inferior materials or elements

desiccate

to become thoroughly dried or dried up

libertine

a person who is morally or sexually unrestrained, or a freethinker in religious matters

limpid

clear and transparent, such as water, crystal, or air; completely calm, without distress or worry

baleful

full of menacing or malign influences

asperity

harshness or sharpness of tone or manner; roughness and unevenness

rent

an opening made by rending or tearing; a breach of relations or union between individuals or groups

reproof

the act of reproving, censuring, or rebuking

remonstrate

to say or plead in protest, objection, or disapproval

disinterested

unbiased by personal interest or advantage; not influenced by selfish motives

guileless

free from guile; sincere, honest, straightforward, frank

emollient

having the power of softening or relaxing, such as for the skin

gainsay

to deny, dispute, or contradict; to speak or act against; oppose

mordant

sharply caustic or sarcastic, as wit or a speaker; burning or corrosive

fetter

a chain or shackle placed on the feet; anything that confines or restrains

qualify

to modify or limit in some way; make less strong or positive

disabuse

to free a person from deception or error

auspice

patronage; support; sponsorship ; a divination or prognostication, originally from observing birds

alloy

composed of two or more metals, often a less costly metal mixed with a more valuable one

undulate

to move with a wavelike motion; display a smooth rising-and-falling or side-to-side alternation of movement

coda

in music, an independent passage at the end of a composition, made to bring it to a satisfactory close; anything that serves as a conclusion

tyro

a beginner in learning anything

cacophonous

having a harsh or discordant sound

bent

direction taken, as by one's interests; a capacity of endurance

inveigh

to protest strongly or attack vehemently with words

forestall

to prevent by action in advance, anticipate, or to buy up goods in advance in order to increase the price when resold

peccadillo

a very minor offense, a trifling fault

fulminate

to explode with a loud noise, or to issue denunciations against

malinger

to pretend illness, especially in order to shirk one's duty or avoid work

burnish

to polish a surface by friction to make smooth and bright

vituperate

to use or address with harsh or abusive language; revile

arrant

downright, thorough, unmitigated, notorious

slake

to allay by satisfying; to make less active, vigorous, intense

descry

to see something unclear or distant by looking carefully; to discover or detect

rancorous

full of resentment or spite

pillory

to expose to public derision, ridicule, or abuse

beneficent

doing good, conferring benefits; kind in action or purpose

plastic

capable of being molded or of receiving form; pliable and impressionable

martinet

a strict disciplinarian, especially a military one; someone who stubbornly adheres to methods or rules

arrest

to catch and hold, attract and fix, to stop and slow down

headlong

undertaken quickly and suddenly; hasty

indigence

seriously impoverished condition; poverty

arabesque

a sinuous, spiraling, undulating, or serpentine line or linear motif, often used in the Fine Arts

abnegate

to refuse or deny oneself some rights or conveniences; to reject or renounce

shard

a fragment such as broken earthenware, glass or shell

minatory

menacing, threatening

welter

to roll, toss, or heave, as waves or the sea; to roll, writhe or tumble about

striated

marked with narrow furrows or ridges; striped or streaked

simper

a silly, self-conscious smile

cadge

to obtain by imposing on another's generosity or friendship, to borrow without intent to repay

depredation

the act of preying upon or plundering

rarefy

to make more refined, spiritual, or exalted

raillery

good-humored ridicule or banter

artless

free from deceit or cunning; natural, simple, uncontrived

idolatrous

worshiping idols or blindly adoring

insensible

incapable of feeling or perceiving; deprived of sensation; unconscious

bedizen

to dress or adorn in a showy, gaudy, or tasteless manner

novitiate

the state or period of being a novice of a religious order or congregation; the state or period of being a beginner in anything

grandiloquence

speech that is lofty in tone, often to the point of being pompous or bombastic

blandish

to coax or influence by gentle flattery; cajole

beatify

to make blissfully happy; in the Roman Catholic Church, to declare to be among the blessed entitled to specific religious honor

Stoic

pertaining to the philosophy that people should be free from passion, unmoved by joy or grief, and submit without complaint to unavoidable necessity

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