500 TOEFL Vocabulary

8/12/2019 500 TOEFL Vocabulary

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500+ Toefl Exam Word List

ABANDON : To give up completely -abandoned the sinking ship

!ynonyms: relin"uish# forgo# forsake

ABASH : To lose self-confidence$ to confuse# put to shame % abashed before the assem&leddignitaries

!ynonyms: fluster# disconcert# discomfit#discompose

'ntonym: (ad) * self-possessed

ABDICATE : To give up claim to - abdicatedthe throne

!ynonyms: renounce# a&andon# relin"uish

ABET : To encourage -or support -treacherously abetted the enemy

!ynonyms: spur# incite

'ntonym: deter

ABRIDGE : To shorten - abridged his lengthyspeech

!ynonyms: curtail# diminish# retrench

'nthonyms: protract# elongate# amplify

ABROGATE : To a&olish or render void - atreaty abrogated &y mutual consent

!ynonyms: annul# nullify# rescind# void

ABSTEMIOUS : oderate in the use of foodor drink - abstemious in his ha&its

!ynonym: temperate

ACADEMIC : ,ertaining to school$ theoreticalacademic in terests$ an academic discussion ,

ith no practical implications

!ynonym: scholastic

ACCEDE : To agree to -accede to a re"uest

!ynonym: assent

'ntonym: demur

ACCELERATE : - To "uicken# speed tip -took an accelerated course in order to graduateearly

!ynonym: expedite (ad) expeditious*

'ntonym: retard

ACCOLADE : 'n a ard or salute - atremendous accolade for a returning hero

!ynonyms: tri&ute# ovation

ACCORD : 'greement or harmony - in fullaccord ith his vie

!ynonyms: concord# concurrence

'ntonyms:dissension# discord

ACRIMONIOUS : !harp or harsh in languageor temper - stung &y the acrimonious remark

!ynonyms:caustic# acer pungent# tart#mordant# acrid$ (noun* asperity

'ntonyms:suave# affa&le

ACUMEN : .eenness of mind or insight -sho ing exceptional &usiness acumen.

!ynonyms:perspicacity# discernment#

perception

'ntonym:o&tuseness

ADMONISH (noun : '/ 12T2 1*: Toarn or find fault gently - admonishing the

unruly child

!ynonyms:chide# caution# reprimand#reprehend# reproach
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ADVERSARY : (ad) : '/3E4!E*: 'nopponent - his adversary in a &itter de&ate

!ynonym:antagonist

'ntonyms:cohort# confederate# ally#

accomplice

ADVERSITY : isfortune - calm in the faceof adversity

!ynonyms:affliction# mischance# reverses

AESTHETIC : ,ertaining to the &eautiful -interested in aesthetic values rather than in

purely practical affairs

AFFABLE : !ocia&le# courteous# andagreea&le in manner a much admired# affablegentleman

!ynonyms: civil# complaisant# &enign#gracious# genial# ur&ane# cordial

'ntonyms:curt# &rus"ue# rude# &oorish# surly

AFFLUENT : ,rosperous# flourishing$ copious- a large &e"uest from an affluent grandfather

!ynonyms:opulent# profuse

'ntonyms:destitute# impecunious

AGGRESSIVE (noun: ' 4E!!2 1 anunprovoked attack*: self-assertive$ attacking#offensive - annoyed people &y his aggressiveattitude$

!ynonyms:&umptious# officious# o&trusive

'ntonyms:meek# hum&le# retiring# diffident

ALACRITY : Eagerness$ cheerful promptness- responded to the flattering offer ithalacrity

!ynonyms:celerity# &riskness# energy#animation

'ntonyms:apathy# nonchalance# sluggishness#lethargy# phlegmatism

ALIENATE : To estrange - altenated by hisgruff manner

ALLAY : To calm$ to lessen in severity - atease no that his fears have &een allayed.

!ynonyms:appease# alleviate# pacify# assuage#a&ate# mitigate# propitiate# mollify# placate

'ntonyms:intensify# aggravate

ALLUDE (noun: 'LL6!2 1*: To refer toindirectly - alluded "uite su&tly to his friend7smisfortune

!ynonyms:insinuate# intimate# imply

'ntonyms:refer# cite

ALLURE : To tempt &y flattery or anattractive offer - allured &y the prospect of ane )o&

!ynonyms:lure# decoy# inveigle# entice#seduce# heedle# &eguile# ca)ole

'ntonym:repel

AMBIGUOUS : 6ncertain# vague# capa&le of &eing inter- in more than one ay - pu88led &ythe ambiguous statement

!ynonyms:ha8y# o&scure# e"uivocal# du&ious#ne&ulous

'ntonyms:explicit# un"uestiona&le

AMENABLE : &edient$ illing to su&mit -

amenable to the suggestion

!ynonyms:tracta&le# docile# responsive

'ntonyms:intracta&le# refractory# recalcitrant

AMIABLE : ood-natured$ friendly - attractedfriends &y his amiable disposition

!ynonym:complaisant


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ANACHRONISM : ' thing placed oroccurring out of its normal time - ' machinegun at the 9attle of orkto n ould &e ananachronism

ANALOGY (ad) : '1'L 6!*: ' relation

&et een t o things sho n in the resem&lancenot of the things themselves &ut of theircharacteristics- ;e indicated points of analogy

&et een the t o situations

!ynonyms:correspondence# affinity

'ntonym: anomaly (a deviation from thegeneral rule*

ANARCHY : !tate of confusion orla lessness - a country &rought to utteranarchy &y civil ar

!ynonyms: chaos# pandemonium

ANIMUS : ' feeling of hatred-felt no animus #even against the enemy

!ynonyms: enmity# rancor# malevolence#animosity

'ntonym: amity

ANNALS : ;istorical records - in the annals ofliterature

ANONYMOUS : f unkno n authorship-ananonymous pu&lication

ANTHOLOGY : ' collection of choiceliterary orks % an anthology of modern

poetry

ANTITHESIS (ad) : '1T2T;ET2


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BLIGHT : To ruin or decay - the rottingheat-# blighted &y incessant rain

!ynonyms: ither# &last

BLITHE : ay and light-hearted in spirit or

mood - spread cheer ith her blithe spirit

!ynonyms: )ocund# merry# )oyous

'ntonyms: de)ected# forlorn# a&)ect

BOG : ' s amp - sank into the spongy bog

!ynonyms: morass# fen# "uagmire# mire

BOMBASTIC (noun: 9 9'!T*: ;igh-sounding$ pretentious in language - abombastic speech# inflated ith meaninglesshigh-flo n ords

!ynonyms: ranting# pompous# fustian

BOORISH : 6nrefined in speech or manners -exhi&ited the boorish manners of a

&ack oodsman

!ynonyms:churlish# uncouth uncultured# crass

'ntonym: suave

BUCOLIC : ,ertaining to the country - abucolic poem de- the )oys of the shepherd

!ynonyms:pastoral# rustic# rural

BUFFOON : ' clo n - acting like a buffoon #full of ludicrous tricks

!ynonym: harle"uin

BULWARK :

? 'n em&ankment used as a fortification- a lofty bulwark for defense

!ynonym: rampart

@ ' person# idea# or o&)ect serving as a protection - acted as a bulwark in thefight against crime

BUMPTIOUS : &noxiously conceited orself-assertive - a bumptious monitor# puffed up

ith his o n importance#

!ynonyms: aggressive# arrogant#contumelious# over&earing

CABAL : ' small group of persons engaged in plotting - a cabal of prominent persons unitedto overthro the government

!ynonyms: )unto# faction

CACOPHONOUS : 6nharmonious sounding -a cacophonous &lare of trumpets# noisy anddiscordant

!ynonyms: dissonant# discordant# &latant#strident# raucous 'ntonyms: mellifluous#euphonious# dulcet

CADAVEROUS :


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CANTANKEROUS : 2ll-natured$ "uarrelsome % sho ed a cantankerous and sullendisposition

!ynonyms:petulant# peevish# contentious# pugnacious# testy# choleric# fretful

'ntonyms:amia&le# affa&le# e"ua&le

CAPRICIOUS : 2nclined# through some himor fancy change the mind# purpose# or actionssuddenly - a capricious person# undependa&lein mood or temper

!ynonyms:fickle# fitful# changea&le# erratic#inconstant# crotchety# himsical# mercurial

'ntonyms:steadfast# constant# even-tempered

CAPTIOUS : Cuick to find fault a&out trifles-a captious critic pouncing on slight la s

!ynonyms:hypercritical# carping# carviling#censorious

CARICATURE : ' picture or otherdescription of a person hich exaggeratesludicrously one or more of his distinctivefeatures - not a realistic portrait &ut amalicious caricature

CASTIGATE : To punish or critici8e severely- castigated for using improper language

!ynonyms:reprove# up&raid# reprehend#censure# reprimand# chasten

'ntonyms:commend# eulogi8e# laud

CELESTIAL : ,ertaining to the sky$heavenly-a celestial pageant of &right stars

!ynonyms:ethereal$ (noun* firmament

CHAUVINIST 'n extreme patriot-achauvinist ith most pride in his country

!ynonym:)ingoist

CHICANERY : Trickery# deception#- practised chicanery all his shady dealings

!ynonyms:duplicity# craft# stratagem# ile#su&terfuge

CHRONIC :


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CLEMENT : erciful$ gentle - a clement )udge ho tempered )ustice ith leniency

!ynonyms: compassionate# for&earing

'ntonyms: relentless# ruthless

COALITION (ver&: < 'LE!


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(ad) *: 6nited or allied in a conspiracy - t oconfederate groups hurrying to theirrende8vous

CONGENIAL :

(?* ,ossessing similar interests and tastes$ a&leto get on ell ith others - congenial people

ith similar &ackgrounds

!ynonym: compati&le

(@* 'greea&le - congenial to his taste

CONJECTURE : To guess - Without facts#e can only conjecture a&out his guilt

!ynonyms: surmise# presume

CONSECRATE :

(?* To set apart as sacred - consecratethe &attlefield ith a monument to thedead heroes !ynonyms: hallo #sanctify 'ntonym: desecrate

(@* To devote or dedicate to some aim -consecrated his life to teaching

CONSENSUS eneral agreement - Theconsensus of the committee as that no actionshould &e taken

!ynonym: accord

CONSTERNATION : 'ma8ement$ lack ofcourage caused &y fearful prospect - The threatstruck deep consternation into >ohn

!ynonyms: dismay# &e ilderment

CONSTRUE (noun: < 1!T46


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COUNTENANCE (noun*: ' face - ;iscountenance expressed his complete disgust

!ynonym: visage

(verb : To approve - refused to countenance

disrespectful conduct

!ynonym: sanction

CRASS :


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CYNICAL : !neeringly distrustful of the goodmotives or conduct of others - &elittled thehero ith a cynical remark

!ynonyms: sarcastic# surly

DEARTH : !carcity - a dearth of ne s# &rought a&out &y censorship

'ntonyms: plethora# a&undance

DEFERENCE : !u&mitting to the ishes or )udgment of another - yielded out of deferenceto the old man

!ynonyms: respect# complaisance#veneration

'ntonym: recalcitrance

DEITY : ' god -The sun as a deity to ancient peoples

!ynonym: divinity

DELECTABLE : 3ery pleasing - a delectablemeal# tastefully prepared

DELETE : To erase or cancel# take out orremove - deleted an offensive phrase

!ynonyms: expunge# censor# efface#eradicate

DELINEATE : To sketch or portray - strikingfeatures# delineated &y a master artist

DELINQUENT (noun*: 'n offender - found

to &e a delin!uent &y the court

(ad) *: =ailing to fulfill an o&ligation -too many people ho are delin!uent inmeeting their civic duties

!ynonym: derelict

DELUGE : ' great flood$ do npour - a springdeluge hich caused the river to overflo

DEMAGOGUE : ' leader ho tries to stir the passions of people for his o n purposes - themo& roused &y an unprincipled demagogue

DEMEANOR : 9ehavior$ &earing - carryinghimself ith a proud demeanor

!ynonyms: deportment# mien

DEMURE : 'ffectedly or falsely modest or

prim$ serious demure as a 3ictorian maiden

!ynonyms: sedate# staid# decorous# prudish# coy

'ntonyms: immodest# frivolous

DENOUNCE (noun: /E161ohn7s actinga&ility


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!ynonyms: disparage# derogate (ad)derogatory*

'ntonyms: enhance# magnify# extol#laud# eulogi8e

DEVASTATION : Widespread ruin - the cityleft in utter devastation &y ar

!ynonyms: destruction# desolation

DEVIOUS :

(?* Winding$ indirect - took a devious #rather than the direct ay home

!ynonym: circuitous

(@* !traying from the right course - useddevious means to attain his icked ends

!ynonyms: crooked# erring

DEVOID : Lacking in$ not possessing - aspeech devoid of even a trace of ill- ill

!ynonym: destitute

'ntonyms: a&ounding# prevalent

DEVOUT : /evoted to religious o&servances -devout in his regularity of attendance at

orship

!ynonyms: pious# religious

'ntonym: impious

DICTUM : 'rt authoritative statement$ asaying-an imperial dictum demanding instantcompliance

DIDACTIC : /esigned to teach# imparting alesson - a poem ith a didactic purpose

!ynonym: pedagogical

DIFFIDENT : Lacking in self-confidence- toodiffident to lead a group

!ynonyms: shy# timid# reserved# reticent#retiring

'ntonyms: for ard# aggressive

DILEMMA : ' situation calling for a choice &et een t o e"ually difficult alternatives$hence# a difficult or perplexing situation -faced ith a dilemma defying solution

!ynonyms:predicament# "uandary# plight

DILETTANTE : ne ho da&&les in the finearts for amusement only and ithoutconcentrated study - a doctor &y profession# adilettante in art

!ynonyms:amateur# connoisseur

DISCONCERT : To confuse$ to em&arrass -disconcerted &y his suspicious stare

!ynonyms:pertur discomfit# discompose#a&ash# dis"uiet# fluster

DISCONSOLATE : /epressed$ ithout hopeor possi&ility of consolation - madedisconsolate &y a&)ect poverty

!ynonyms:inconsola&le# de)ected

'ntonyms:&lithesome# carefree

DISCOURSE : To converse or talk$ to discuss- discoursed at length on the rise of political

parties

DISCRETE : !eparate - t o discrete issues#totally unrelated

DISCURSIVE : 4am&ling from one su&)ect to

another - a discursive letter# covering manytopics

!ynonyms:desultory# digressive

DISPARITY (ad) : /2!,'4'TE*: 2ne"uality$difference in image# "uantity# character# orrank - great disparity &et een promise and

performance

DISPASSIONATE : =ree from feeling or

partiality - coldly dispassionate as thechairman of the meeting


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!ynonyms:palm# impartial

'ntonym:partial

DISPATCH (ver&*: To do speedily$ to sendoff - dispatched ith remarka&le promptness

!ynonym: expedite

(noun*: ' speedy performance$ the sending offof something - done ith all possi&le dispatch

!ynonyms: celerity# alacrity

DISPEL : To drive a ay$ to scatter - dispelleda dou&t that had lingered

!ynonyms:dissipate# disperse# diffuse

DISSENT (noun: /2!!E1!2 1*: Todisagree$ to differ in opinion - ;e dissentedviolently# re)ecting compromise

DISSOLUTE : Living loosely$ unrestrained inconduct or morals - his life asted &ydissolute conduct

!ynonyms:de&auched# dissipated# profligate

DISTRAUGHT : entally distressed$distracted - distraught &y trials andtri&ulations

!ynonym: harassed

DIVERSE : (ver&: /23E4!2= $ noun:/232!292L2T *: 3aried$ different - t odiverse characters$ one candid# the other

insincere

!ynonym: multifarious

DIVERTING : Entertaining - a diverting oneof the most amusing 27ve ever seen

DIVULGE : To make pu&lic or reveal -refused to divulge his source of information

!ynonyms: disclose# impart

DOGMATIC : ,ositive in expressing anopinion$ asserting an opinion as though it ere

an undisputed fact - spoken dogmatically # as ifthe speaker considered himself infalli&le

!ynonyms: over&earing# opinionated# peremptory# dictatorial

DOLOROUS : !orro ful$ mournful - adolorous song full of sorro for past )oys

!ynonyms: doleful# lugu&rious# grievous

'ntonyms: )ocund# &lithe# mirthful

DYNAMIC : =orceful - possessed dynamicenergy# tireless and po erful

!ynonym: energetic

'ntonyms: static# inert# dormant# torpid#sluggish# "uiescent

ECCLESIASTIC (adj. : ,ertaining to theclergy or the church - recogni8ed as anauthority in ecclesiastic matters 'ntonyms:secular# lay

(noun*: ' clergyman - an ecclesiastic ofli&eral vie s

EDICT : ' pu&lic command or proclamationissued &y an authority - proclaimed &y royaledict.

!ynonym: decree

EDIFY : To instruct or uplift# particularly inmorals or religion - a story that edifies thereader# as ell as entertains him

EFFETE : 1o longer productive$ hence ,lacking in or# orn out - po erful in ancientdays# no an effete civili8ation

EGOTISTIC :


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EJACULATE : To exclaim or utter suddenly -ejaculated a cry of horror

ELICIT : To dra out - elicited no responsefrom the audience

!ynonyms: evoke# extract# extort

ELUCIDATE : To make clear$ to explain -elucidated his theory so that even a school&oycould understand it

!ynonym: clarify

EMISSARY : ' person sent on an errand ormission - delegated his emissary to conclude a

pact

ENGENDER : To cause# produce# or stir up-anact that engendered good ill

ENNUI : 9oredom$ eariness of mind-fellasleep at the meeting from sheer ennui.

ENSUE : To follo or result-!ilenceensued hen the leader arose to speak

ENTREAT : To &eg earnestly - entreated the )udge to sho mercy

"ynonyms: solicit# supplicate# &eseech#implore# importune$

(adj. importunate# mendicant# suppliant

EPHEMERAL : 3ery short-lived - anephemeral )oy# lasting &ut a day

"ynonyms: fleeting# transitory# transient#evanescent

#ntonym: eternal

EPICUREAN (noun : ' person devoted toluxurious living and pleasure - an epicurean ,seeking to en)oy every meal

(adj. : ,leasure-loving - ;is entire existencedemonstrated his epicurean tastes

EPIGRAM : ' &rief pointed saying - a speechfull of original epigrams

!ynonyms: maxim prover adage

EPITAPH : ' tom&stone inscription - anepitaph engraved on mar&le

EPITHET : ' phrase that descri&es a "uality

(good or &ad* in a person or thing - B laringBerror is a commonly used epithet.

!ynonyms: characteri8ation # appellation

EQUANIMITY (adj.: EC6'9LE*: Evennessof temper or mind - suffered his cruel fate ithe!uanimity.

!ynonyms: serenity# composure#impertur&a&ility# aplom&

ERR (noun: E44'T6 *: To &e mistaken orgo astray - To err is human# to forgive divine

!ynonyms: stray# &lunder

ERRATIC : 2rresponsi&le# eccentric$ lacking afixed purpose erratic &ehavior# reflecting his"ueer ideas

ERUDITE : Learned - an erudite person# aneditor of many &ooks

!ynonyms: scholarly # kno ing

ESOTERIC : 6nderstood &y only a select fe- an esoteric su&)ect# discussed only &yscholars

!ynonyms: a&struse# recondite

EXCEPTIONABLE : &)ectiona&le -e$ceptionable &ehavior# universally critici8ed

!ynonyms: "uestiona&le# reprehensi&le#censura&le

'ntonym: lauda&le

EXCULPATE : To free from &lame -e$culpated &y a )ury

!ynonyms: vindicate# exonerate# a&solve#ac"uit


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'ntonyms: arraign# indict# inculpate

EXEMPLARY (noun: EDE ,L'4*:!erving as a model$ commenda&le - e$emplaryconduct approved &y all

!ynonyms: illustrative# typical$ praise orthy#lauda&le

EXODUS : /eparture# emigration - the pathetic e$odus of refugees from theirhomeland

EXOTIC : !trange and foreign - an e$oticcostume imported from 'sia

EXPATIATE : To speak or rite at greatlength - ;e e$patiated on the su&)ect for t ohours

!ynonym: dilate

EXPATRIATE (ver&*: To &anish or exile$ toithdra from one7s country - e$patriated for

treachery to his country

(noun*: 'n expatriated person - e$patriatesho left the 6nited !tates to live in ,aris

EXPEDIENT (ad) *:


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FALLACIOUS (noun: ='LL'< *:6nsound$ misleading$ deceptive - led astray &y

fallacious reasoning and plans

FALLIBLE : Lia&le to make mistakes or &edeceived - 9eing human# Tom as naturally

fallible

'ntonyms: infalli&le# unerring

FATHOM : To penetrate and understand -difficult to fathom his mysterious actions

FATUOUS : =oolish$ silly - a fatuoussuggestion that struck us as stupid

!ynonyms: inane# vacuous# puerile

'ntonyms: )udicious# sagacious# sage

FEALTY : =aithfulness - The soldiers ere pledged to fealty to their ruler

!ynonyms: allegiance# constancy# fidelity

'ntonyms: disloyalty$ infidelity# treachery

FEASIBLE : Worka&le - a feasible plan# proved practical &y - previous experience

'ntonym: impractica&le

@ 5FEIGN (noun: =E21T*: To pretend - ;e feigned to &e angry# &ut e sa through his pretense

!ynonyms: dissem&le# sham# dissimulate#affect

FELICITY (ad) : =EL2


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FLAUNT : /isplay or ave &oastfully - flaunted the excellent report &efore hisdelighted parents

FLEETING : ,assing s iftly -the fleetinghours of happiness

!ynonyms: transitory# fugitive

FLUCTUATE : To aver from one course toanother$ to vary irregularly - his mood

fluctuating ith every hour

!ynonyms: oscillate# vacillate# undulate# s ay

FORBEAR (noun: = 49E'4'1


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GREGARIOUS : ;a&itually fond ofassociating in a company or herd - gregarioussheep$ that gregarious animal# man

'ntonyms:lone# aloof

GRIMACE : ' distortion of the face toexpress an attitude or feeling - a grimace that

as more expressive than ords

HAIL : To greet - The cro d hailed thereturning hero

!ynonyms: accost# salute

HARANGUE (ver&*: To deliver a long noisyspeech- harangued the multitude

!ynonyms: rant# declaim

(noun*: ' loud# tiresome speech - an emptyharangue hich &ored his audience

!ynonym: tirade

HARBINGER # ' forerunner$ ail announcer -the ro&in#harbinger of spring

!ynonyms:precursor# herald

HAUGHTY : ,roud$ looking do n ithcontempt on others - dismissed the messengerin a haughty manner

HEEDLESS : Thoughtless$ taking little care -rushed into &attle# heedless of the danger

!ynonyms: inadvertent# rash# incautious

'ntonyms: prudent# circumspect# mindful#ary

HEINOUS : Wicked$ hateful - committed aheinous crime

!ynonyms: atrocious# outrageous# monstrous#odious# nefarious# a&omina&le

HERESY : 'n opinion held in opposition tothe traditional vie - a vie condemned asheresy

!ynonym: heterodoxy

'ntonym: orthodoxy

HIATUS : ' gap or vacancy$ &reak -left ahiatus on the page here he erased a sentence

!ynonym:&reach

HISTRIONIC : ,ertaining to the theater$designed for sho - &roke into histrioniclaughter# hollo and insincere

!ynonyms: dramatic# theatrical

HOAX (noun*: ' trick or deception$ a practical )oke - played a hoa$ upon thecredulous pu&lic

!ynonym: canard

(ver&*: To play a trick on$ to deceive - ;ehoa$ed the cro d completely ith hisdisguise

HOMONYM : T o ords having the samesound &ut different meanings - confusing suchhomonyms as mail add male

HOVEL : ' dirty or retched d elling - &ornin a hovel # died in a mansion

HYPERBOLE : Extravagant exaggeration foreffect - 'n example of hyperbole: BThere are amillion o&)ections to the pro)ect B

!ynonym: overstatement

'ntonym: understatement

HYPOTHESIS : 'n assumption made for thesake of argument - orked from a fantastichypothesis.

!ynonym: supposition

IDIOSYNCRASY : ' personal peculiarity -Wearing hite as one of Whistler7sidiosyncrasies.

!ynonyms: eccentricity# foi&le# mannerism#crotchet# a&erration# "uirk# singularity


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IMPROPRIETY : 2mproper act# manners# orexpression - guilty of impropriety in pu&licoffice

!ynonyms: indecency# indecorum

'ntonym: amenity

IMPROVIDENT : Lacking in thrift$ not providing for future needs - an improvidentspender

!ynonyms: prodigal# shiftless

IMPUGN : To attack or critici8e as false$ tocall in "uestion - impugned his honesty

INCARCERATE : To imprison - crushed hisopponents &y incarcerating them

!ynonyms: intern# immure

'ntonyms: emancipate# enfranchise

INCISIVE :


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INNUENDO : 'n indirect reference orsuggestion (fre"uently derogatory* - conveyedhis idea &y innuendo

!ynonyms: (ver&* intimate# insinuate

INORDINATE : Excessive - spoiled &yinordinate praise

!ynonyms: immoderate# intemperate#extravagant

INSATIABLE : 6na&le to &e satisfied -insatiable greed

!ynonyms unappeasa&le# un"uencha&le#insatiate

INSCRUTABLE : 2ncapa&le of interpretationor understanding - the inscrutable smile of the

ona Lisa

!ynonyms: unfathoma&le# cryptic# enigmatic

INSIDIOUS : Working secretly or slyly - thatinsidious disease# cancer

!ynonyms: ily# crafty# furtive# treacherous#artful# guileful perfidious

INSTIGATE : To stir tip - instigateddiscontent among the soldiers

!ynonyms: foment# incite

INTEGRITY : ;onesty# moral soundness - aman of proved integrity

!ynonyms: pro&ity# uprightness#incorrupti&ility

INVEIGH (noun- 213E


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(noun : ' disguise$ a group of people indisguise or fancy costumes - a mas!uerade so

perfect no one could guess his identity

MAUDLIN : !entimental to the point of tears -turned maudlin at the mention of his lost dog

!ynonym : ma kish# lachrymose

MEANDER : To alk a&out (or talk*aimlessly$ to ind a&out (as a stream* -meandered through the to n# looking intoshop indo s

!ynonym: ram&le

MEDIOCRE : 'verage in "uality - amediocre performance# un orthy of histalents

MERCENARY : 'cting solely from aconsideration of re ard or profit - actuated &ya mercenary motive

!ynonym: venal

MERETRICIOUS : 'ttracting in a false#cheap# or sho y manner- a meretricious

&eauty that is too flashy to &e real

!ynonyms:ta dry# specious

METICULOUS : =ussy a&out minute details -took meticulous pains ith his composition

!ynonyms:fastidious# punctilious#overscrupulous# finical# methodical

'ntonyms:desultory# perfunctory# slovenly

METTLE (ad) : ETTLE! E: high-spirited *: /isposition$ spirit$ courage - ;ismettle as tried in &attle

2diom: to &e on one7s mettle (meaning# Greadyto do one7s &estH*

!ynonyms:temperament# ardor

MICROCOSM : ' little orld# or a universein miniature this village# a microcosm of thegreat outside orld

'ntonym:macrocosm ( orld on a large scale*

MIMIC : To make fun of or copy &y imitating- mimicked the comedian7s gestures

MISANTHROPIC (noun: 2!'1T;4 ,E*:

;ating or distrusting mankind - condemned forhis misanthropic vie s

'ntonyms: philanthropic# altruistic

MISNOMER : ' name or term that descri&esrongly - To call him a &rave man is really a

misnomer

MONOLOGUE : ' speech &y one person -The actor gave his vie s in a dramaticmonologue

!ynonym:solilo"uy

'ntonyms:collo"uy (ad) collo"uial*:conversation &et een t o or more persons$dialogue: conversation &et een t o persons

MOROSE : loomy$ ill-humored - shunned &ecause of his morose temper

!ynonyms: sulky# cra&&ed# sullen# splenetic#saturnine

'ntonyms: &lithe# genial

MOTLEY : f various colors$ of mixedingredients - a motley costume$ a motleycro d

!ynonyms: checkered (referring to a varied

career*# pie&ald# variegated# diverse#heterogeneous

'ntonym: homogeneous

MOTTLED : !potted or streaked ith variedcolors - a mottled pony

!ynonyms:&lotched# dappled

MUNDANE : f# or pertaining to# the orld#

as contrasted ith the spirit - mundane affairs


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!ynonyms:earthly# terrestrial# secular#temporal

MURKY : /ark$ cloudy - a murky cavern

!ynonyms:dismal# tene&rous# fuliginous

'ntonyms:resplendent# glo ing# lustrous#luminous# fulgent# coruscating

MUTABLE : iven to fre"uent change innature# mood# or form - mutable in mood as aspring ind

!ynonyms:vacillating# fickle# inconstant# fitful#mercurial# avering# capricious

'ntonyms:constant# steady

MYRIAD : 2nnumera&le - the myriad stars inthe heavens

NAUTICAL : ,ertaining to ships or navigation- a nautical career

!ynonyms: marine# naval# maritime

NETTLE : To irritate or provoke - nettled &yhis critics

!ynonyms: vex# pi"ue# goad

NOCTURNAL : ,ertaining to# or occurring in#the night - a akened &y the sounds of anocturnal pro ler

'ntonym: diurnal

NOISOME : =oul-smelling$ harmful-thes amp gave off a noisome odor

!ynonyms: malodorous# fetid# disgusting$noxious# deleterious

'ntonym: salu&rious

NONCHALANT : 6nmoved or indifferent$casual - reacted to the ne s in a nonchalantmanner

!ynonym: apathetic

'ntonyms: enthusiastic# 8ealous

NOSTALGIA : ;omesickness - felt nostalgiafor the old homestead

NOTORIOUS : Widely kno n (in a &ad

sense* - a notorious gam&ler

NOVICE : ' &eginner - conducted himself in politics like a novice.

!ynonyms:tyro# neophyte

'ntonym:virtuoso

OBDURATE : ;ard-hearted$ stu&&orn - anobdurate # unrepentant criminal

!ynonyms:adamant# unyielding# inflexi&le

'ntonyms:su&missive# docile# compliant

OBLIVIOUS (noun: 9L232 1*: =orgetful$a&sent-minded - alking oblivious of hissurroundings

!ynonyms:unmindful# heedless# a&stracted

OBSESSION : ' persistent feeling# idea#activity# etc # hich dominates a person$ thestate of &eing exclusively preoccupied &y afixed idea - 1o that he has learned &o ling#it has &ecome his obsession

!ynonyms:mania# infatuation (a foolish passion*# monomania

OBSOLETE : 1o longer in use - an obsolete

ord# not even included &y most dictionaries

!ynonyms:archaic# anti"uated

OBTRUSIVE (ver&: 9T46/E*: Thrustingoneself or itself into undue prominence - madehimself o&noxiously obtrusive

!ynonyms:intrusive# aggressive

OBVIATE : To prevent# dispose of# or makeunnecessary &y appropriate actions - an act

hich obviated all o&)ections


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!ynonyms:preclude# forestall

OMNIPOTENT : 'll-po erful - anomnipotent despot

ONUS : 9urden$ duty$ o&ligation - &ore the

onus of his difficult office credita&ly

OSTENSIBLE : 'pparent$ pretended - hisostensible # though not actual# purpose

!ynonyms:professed# plausi&le (that is#appearing true# reasona&le# or fair*# specious

OSTRACIZE : To &anish$ to exclude from pu&lic favor or privileges - a former premierostracized &y popular vote

!ynonym: outla

PANACEA : ' remedy for all ills - seeking a panacea to cure our social trou&les

!ynonym: nostrum

PANEGYRIC : ' speech or riting ofextravagant praise - delivered a panegyric athis friend7s testimonial dinner

!ynonyms:eulogy# adulation# tri&ute# laudation(ad) laudatory*# encomium

'ntonyms:censure# disparagement# derogation#castigation# depreciation

PARADOX : ' self -contradictory statement$something 7that appears to &e a&surd and yetmay &e true -BLife is too important a matter to

he taken seriously B - a parado$ &y scarWilde

!ynonym: anomaly

PARAPHRASE : To restate the meaning of a passage in other ords - paraphrased the poem in a fe lines of prose

PARODY (noun*: ' humorous imitation of anauthor7s style and mannerisms - rote a

parody on .ipling7s B unga /in B

!ynonym: &urles"ue

(ver&*: To rite a parody - parodied the popular authors of the (lay to his audience7samusement

!ynonym: imic

PECCADILLO : ' petty fault-possesses one peccadillo among his many virtues

!ynonyms: frailty# foi&le# fla # &lemish

PECUNIARY : ,ertaining to money -involved in pecuniary difficulties

!ynonyms$ financial# fiscal# monetary

PEDANT (ad) : ,E/'1T2


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PETRIFY : To paraly8e ith horror# fear# orsurprise - petrified &y the enemy

&om&ardment

!ynonyms:stupefy# stun# &e ilder# ama8e

PLAGIARISM 'dopting and reproducing#ithout ackno ledgment# the ritings or ideas

of another and passing them off as one7s o n -denied the charge of deli&erate plagiarism

PLATITUDE : ' dull and commonplaceremark - &ored people &y his pompous phrasesand platitudes

!ynonyms:&romide# truism# axiom

PLEBEIAN : ,ertaining to the common people$ hence# common or vulgar - plebeian inhis tastes and outlook

'ntonyms:patrician# aristocratic

PLEBISCITE ' direct vote &y the people -The decision to confederate as ratified &y

plebiscite

POIGNANT :

(?* ripping and moving the feelings po erfully - a poignant grief

(@* ,iercing# &iting# pointed - a poignant cry$ poignant it

PONDEROUS : 3ery heavy$ clumsy$ dull - a ponderous speech# extremely &oring

PRECARIOUS : 6ncertain or risky - earninga precarious livelihood# providing no luxuries

PRECIPITOUS :

(?* 3ery steep - a precipitous cliff

(@* /escending rapidly - a precipitous declinein popularity

PRECOCIOUS : 4emarka&le for early mental

development a precocious genius

PREDATORY :

(?* 2nclined to plunder or ro&$ - predatory &ands roaming the countryside

(@* ,reying on# others - predatory animals pro ling a&out

!ynonyms: predacious# looting# pillaging

PREDILECTION : ,artiality or preferencefor$ a favora&le opinion arrived at &eforehand -a predilection for theatricals

!ynonyms: prepossession# proclivity# predisposition# penchant

'ntonyms: aversion# antipathy# repugnance

PRELUDE : 'n introduction# forerunner# or preliminary step - a short prelude to the play

!ynonyms: preface# prologue# pream&le

'ntonym: epilogue

PREROGATIVE : ' privilege or po erattaching to a position - 2t is a oman7s

prerogative to refuse to tell her age

!ynonym: license

PRESTIGE : Esteem or influence accorded forrecogni8ed achievements or reputation - 's!enator he en)oyed great prestige

!ynonym: distinction

?5# PRECOCIOUS : 4emarka&le for earlymental development a precocious genius

PREDATORY :

(?* 2nclined to plunder or ro&$ - predatory &ands roaming the countryside

(@* ,reying on# others - predatory animals pro ling a&out

!ynonyms: predacious# looting# pillaging

PREDILECTION : ,artiality or pr eferencefor$ a favora&le opinion arrived at &eforehand -a predilection for theatricals


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!ynonyms: prepossession# proclivity# predisposition# penchant

'ntonyms: aversion# antipathy# repugnance

PRELUDE : 'n introduction# forerunner# or

preliminary step - a short prelude to the play

!ynonyms: ,reface# prologue ,ream&le

'ntonym: epilogue

PREROGATIVE : ' privilege or po erattaching to a position - 2t is a oman7s

prerogative to refuse to tell her age

!ynonym: license

PRESTIGE : Esteem or influence accorded forrecogni8ed achievements or reputation - 's!enator he en)oyed great prestige

!ynonym: distinction

PRESUMPTION :

(?* !omething taken for granted - acted on areasona&le presumption

(@* oing &eyond proper &ounds$ impudent &oldness - ;is "uestion as do nright presumption

!ynonyms: effrontery# for ardness# arrogance

PREVARICATE : To disguise or conceal thetruth to lie - prevaricated in order to avoiddetection

!ynonyms: "ui&&le# e"uivocate$ (ad) *mendacious

'ntonyms: (noun* veracity# verity$ (ad) *forthright

PROCRASTINATE : To postpone or put offto another time - missed his opportunity &y

procrastinating too long

!ynonyms: defer# delay

PROGNOSTICATE (noun: ,4 1 !2!*:To forecast - The Weather 9ureau

prognosticates daily

!ynonyms:presage# portend# augur# fore&ode

PROLETARIAT : The age-earning class - atruckman# hum&le mem&er of the proletariat

PROMONTORY : ' cliff - an imposing promontory along the coast

!ynonyms:headland# precipice

PROMULGATE : To pu&lish or proclaim$ tospread a&road The ,resident promulgated adecree

!ynonym:disseminate

PROTUBERANT : 9ulging or s elling out -a protuberant )a

'ntonyms:receding# recessive

PROVISIONAL : Temporary$ for the time &eing - a provisional plan until a permanentdecision is reached

!ynonym:tentative

PROXIMITY : 1earness- orked in close pro$imity to his home

!ynonyms :propin"uity# vicinity

'ntonym:remoteness

PSEUDONYM : ' false name assumed &y ariter - concealed his identity &y a pseudonym

!ynonyms:alias# pen name# nom de plume

PUNITIVE : 2nflicting# or concerned ith# punishment - took punitive measures againstdeserters

QUASH : To crush$ to render void - !uashed are&ellion$ !uashed an indictment

!ynonyms:suppress# extinguish# "uell$ annul


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QUERULOUS : iven to fault-finding andcomplaining - ;er !uerulous nature estrangedmany people

!ynonyms:fretful# hining# captious# carping# peevish# petulant

'ntonym: affa&le

QUIXOTIC : Extravagantly romantic oridealistic$ highly impractical - a !ui$oticscheme that can never materiali8e

!ynonyms:utopian# visionary# fantastic

RACONTEUR : ' skilled storyteller - heldspell&ound &y a super& raconteur

RADICAL (noun*: ne ho advocatesextreme &asic changes - The reform movement

as led &y a radical

(ad) *: Thorough# extreme - radical measuresadopted to meet the emergency

'ntonym:(noun and ad) * conservative

RAMIFICATION : ' &ranching$ su&-division- studied the su&)ect in all its ramifications

RAZE : To tear do n completely- razed theold &uilding

!ynonyms:level

'ntonym:rear

RECAPITULATE : To restate in a &rief#

concise form$ to sum up - recapitulated themain ideas

RECIPROCAL : utual$ done in return forsomething received - held each other inreciprocal esteem

RECUMBENT : Lying do n$ leaning &ack ordo n - resting in a recumbent position

REDOLENT :

(?* =ragrant - a room redolent of roses

!ynonym: aromatic

(@* 4eminiscent of - redolent of olden times

REDOUBTABLE :


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(?* Temporary deferment or cessation of orkor pain - a &rief respite from la&or

!ynonym: surcease

(@* ' temporary delay in the execution of -a

sentence - granted the doom man a temporaryrespite

!ynonym: reprieve

RETRIBUTION : The re ard or punishmentexacted for an in)ury# ickedness# or otheraction - suffered )ust retribution for his folly

!ynonyms: re"uital# nemesis

RETRIEVE :

(?* To make good - retrieved a mistake

(@* To recover - retrieved the suitcase left at thestation

(A* To restore - retrieved his lost fortunes

REVERBERATE : To echo - a shotreverberating through the valley

!ynonym: resound

RUDIMENTARY : 2n an early stage ofdevelopment - possessing only a rudimentary #kno ledge of physics

!ynonym: incipient

RUE (ad) : 46E=6L*: To &e sorry for-;e ill

rue the day he left home

!ynonyms: regret# repent

SACROSANCT : 3ery holy - a shrineregarded as sacrosanct

!ynonyms: consecrated# inviola&le# hallo ed

SAGACIOUS (noun: !' '


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SCINTILLA : ' trace$ a particle - not a scintilla of convincing evidence

!ynonyms: iota$ vestige

SCOURGE (verb : To punish severely$ to

afflict$ to hip - a disease that scourged thecountry

"ynonyms: excoriate# flay

(noun . # hip or other means of punishment$a cause of affliction - The 9lack ,lague as adreadful scourge of the iddle 'ges

!ynonym: tri&ulation

SCRUTINIZE : To examine carefully-scrutinized the contents of the letter

SHIBBOLETH : ' party slogan - a shibbolethdesigned to attract votes

SIMPER (verb : To smile in a silly oraffected ay simpered as he greeted eachguest

(noun*: 'n affected or silly smile - stoodnervously# a simper on his face

!ynonym: (verb and noun* smirk

SINECURE : Employment entailing little orno responsi&ility or la&or - ;is )o& as a

sinecure

SINISTER : Threatening or sho ing evil$dishonest - the sinister look of a gangster

SLEAZY : =limsy and cheap - sleazy clothhich is used only in cheap garments

!ynonym: unsu&stantial

SLOVENLY : 6ntidy-severely critici8ed thestudent7s slovenly appearance

!ynonyms: slipshod# slatternly# fro 8y

SOPORIFIC : Tending to induce sleep - a poorly ritten novel# soporific in effect

SORDID : ean and &ase$ filthy - "ordidmotives &reed selfish actions

!ynonyms: degraded# vile# igno&le

SOVEREIGN : !upreme m po er and

authority$ independent of the control of anyother government - possessing sovereign

po ers$ a sovereign state

!ynonyms: autonomous# imperial# ma)estic# paramount

SPORADIC : ccurring singly# at irregularintervals$ scattered - sporadic cases of illness

SPURN : To refuse or re)ect ith contempt -an offer that as spurned instantly

!ynonyms: repel# snu&

STOIC : 2ndifferent# calm in &earing pain or pleasure$ practising remarka&le self-controlover emotions - maintained a stoic attitudedespite all his trials

!ynonyms: stolid# impassive

STRINGENT : !trict$ compelling#constraining stringent regulations$ stringentre"uirements

!ynonyms: exacting# rigid

'ntonym: lax

STUPENDOUS : 'ma8ing &y# virtue of itsimmense si8e# force# or any "uality in

exceptional degree - The circus is a stupendous spectacle

!ynonyms : astounding# prodigious# monstrous#marvelous# colossal# a ful

SUCCULENT : )uicy - a succulent steak

'ntonyms$ desiccated# vapid

SULTRY :


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(?* Lying flat on the &ack - resting in a supine position

'ntonym: erect

(@* 2nert# inactive# averse to taking action - a

supine # ineffective administrator

!ynonyms: listless# torpid

TANGIBLE : 4eal$ actual - tangible gainshich may &e seen and counted

!ynonyms: material# verita&le# percepti&le#su&stantial

TANTAMOUNT : E"uivalent - an act that istantamount to treason

TAUNT (ver&* To reproach ith contempt -taunted him ith the charge of failure to act

promptly

!ynonyms: mock# t it# gi&e# sneer# deride

(noun : 'n insulting# )eering# or &itter remark -hurled taunts at his foes

TEEMING : 2n a&undance# fertile# highly productive - the teeming tropics# rank ithvegetation

!ynonyms: s arming# fruitful# fecund#a&ounding

TEMERITY : 6n ise or reckless &oldness -leaped into &attle ith thoughtless temerity

!ynonyms: audacity# presumptuousness#effrontery# rashness$

(adj. temerarious# foolhardy# venturesome

'ntonyms: prudence# circumspection#ariness

TEMPORAL : Worldly# as opposed tospiritual$ existing for a time only - a man

preoccupied ith temporal matters

!ynonyms: mundane# secular# civil

TEMPORIZE : To delay or refuse to commitoneself in order to gain time - temporized

hile his friends hurried to his aid

!ynonym: e"uivocate

TENET : ' principle of &elief held as true - atenet of religion hich &e maintained loyally

!ynonyms: creed# doctrine# dogma

TENUOUS : !lender$ not su&stantial$ of slightimportance - clung desperately to his tenuoushope

TRANQUIL :


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(@* 6sing &ig or high-sounding ords - aturgid prose style

!ynonyms: pompous# &om&astic# prolix

UBIQUITOUS : Existing every here - The

common cold is a ubi!uitous complaint

!ynonyms: omnipresent# universal

UNTENABLE : 2ncapa&le of &eing defendedor held - ithdre the argument as untenable

UTILITARIAN (ad) *: aterially or practically useful - &eautiful# &ut notutilitarian.

VANQUISH : To su&due or con"uer -an armyvan!uished ith heavy losses

VAUNT : To &oast - proudly vaunted hisstrength

!ynonyms: &rag (noun: &raggadocio# &raggart*# proclaim

VENEER : ' superficial appearance or shodesigned to impress one ith superiority -

pierced &eneath his thin veneer of elegance

!ynonym: gloss

VENERABLE : /eserving respect orreverence &ecause of age - a venerable leader

VERNAL : ,ertaining to spring-an array ofvernal flo ers

'ntonym: hi&ernal ( intry*

VERSATILE : '&le to do many thingsskillfully - versatile in all the arts

VICARIOUS : Taking the place of another$felt# received# or done in place of another -took vicarious pleasure in his &rother7s victory

VICISSITUDE : ' change from one conditionto another# often unexpected - suffered many

vicissitudes of fortune

VIRAGO : ' scolding or ill-tempered oman- y neigh&or7s ife is a virago

!ynonyms: shre # termagant# vixen

VITUPERATE (noun: 32T6,E4'T2 1$

ad) : 32T6,E4'T23E*: To scold or &lameloudly# find fault ith in a&usive language - anangry man# vituperating the orld

!ynonyms: &erate# revile

WAIVE : To give up (privileges# etc *$ to doithout - waived his rights to the property

!ynonyms: relin"uish# forgo# forsake

WHIM (ad) : W;2 !2

500 TOEFL Vocabulary

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