Barron’s 1100 Words You Need To Know: Vocabulary Words and Idioms Weeks 1-6
laconic
(adjective) expressing much in few words
throng
(noun) crowd
intrepid
(adjective) brave
accost
(verb) to approach and speak to
reticent
(adjective) silent
furtive
(adjective) secret, stealthy
felon
(noun) a person guilty of a major crime
plethora
(noun) excess
irate
(adjective) angry, incensed
pretext
(noun) an excuse
fabricate
(verb) to lie; to construct
adroit
(adjective) skillful
gesticulate
(verb) move the arms energetically
vigilant
(adjective) watchful
avid
(adjective) eager
cajole
(verb) to persuade, by coaxing or flattery
rudimentary
(adjective) elementary
enhance
(verb) intensify, heighten
nuance
(noun) slight variation in meaning, tone, etc.
hapless
(adjective) unfortunate
voracious
(adjective) desiring or consuming great quantities
indiscriminate
(adjective) choosing at random without careful selection
eminent
(adjective) of high reputation, outstanding
steeped
(verb) soaked, drenched, saturated
replete
(adjective) completely filled or supplied with
abound
(verb) to exist in great numbers
technology
(noun) branch of knowledge dealing with engineering, applied science, etc.
prognosticate
(verb) to predict or foretell a future event
automaton
(noun) a robot; a mechanical “person”
matron
(noun) an older married woman
paradox
(noun) a statement that at first seems to be absurd or self-contradictory but which may in fact turn out to be true
realm
(noun) special field of something or someone; kingdom
annals
(plural noun) historical records
compound
(verb) to increase or add to
tinge
(noun) a trace, smattering, or slight degree
badger
(verb) to pester, nag, annoy persistently
implore
(verb) to plead urgently for aid or mercy
drudgery
(noun) unpleasant, dull, or hard work
interminable
(adjective) unending
perceive
(verb) to understand, know, become aware of
loathe
(verb) to hate
reprimand
(verb) to show sharp disapproval
lackluster
(adjective) dull
caustic
(adjective) sarcastic, biting
wrest
(verb) take by force
infamous
(adjective) having a bad reputation
jostle
(verb) to shove hard
dupe
(noun) a person easily tricked
incipient
(adjective) just beginning to exist
inadvertent
(adjective) heedless, not attentive; * unintentional *
ominous
(adjective) threatening
tremulous
(adjective) quivering
repudiate
(verb) to reject, to decline
cessation
(noun) a stopping
bristle
(verb) stiffen with fear or anger
euphemism
(noun) a less offensive term
mundane
(adjective) worldly
incongruous
(adjective) inappropriate; incompatible/inconsistent within itself
condolence
(noun) pity; expression of pity/sorrow
stipulate
(verb) to specify a condition
alacrity
(noun) briskness, lively action
disdain
(noun) contempt
belligerent
(adjective) warlike
intimidate
(verb) to overawe
feint
(noun) a false attack
pugnacious
(adjective) quarrelsome
promulgate
(verb) to make known officially
brash
(adjective) impudent
scoff
(verb) to sneer at
belittle
(verb) to make seem less important
tangible
(adjective) having actual form, being able to touch
laceration
(noun) jagged wound
castigate
(verb) to correct by punishing
sordid
(adjective) dirty, base
octogenarian
(noun) person in his or her eighties
solace
(noun) easing in grief
aspirant
(adjective) candidate for high position
dregs
(noun) most worthless part
frenzy
(noun) wild fit
scurrilous
(adjective) coarse
rampant
(adjective) going unchecked, widespread
inane
(adjective) foolish
ethics
(noun) code of principles
concur
(verb) agree
clandestine
(adjective) secret, undercover
flagrant
(adjective) outrageous, glaringly bad
admonish
(verb) to warn, to reprove
duress
(noun) compulsion, force
culprit
(noun) the guilty person
inexorable
(adjective) inflexible, unrelenting
egregious
(adjective) remarkably bad
distraught
(adjective) mentally confused, crazed
duplicity
(noun) cunning, trickery
acrimonious
(adjective) bitter
paucity
(noun) scarcity
elicit
(verb) to draw forth
pernicious
(adjective) harmful, causing injury
tolerate
(verb) to put up with, to bear
construe
(verb) to make a deduction, to infer
impunity
(noun) freedom from punishment
affluent
(adjective) rich
feasible
(adjective) possible
discern
(verb) perceive
sally
(verb) suddenly rush forth
consternation
(noun) dismay
precocious
(adjective) reaching maturity early
perfunctory
(adjective) done without care, superficial
chagrin
(noun) feeling of disappointment, humiliation
perverse
(adjective) contrary, persisting in error
deride
(verb) to ridicule, to scoff at
disparage
(verb) to discredit, to belittle
laudable
(adjective) praiseworthy
fiasco
(noun) complete failure
masticate
(verb) chew
eschew
(verb) avoid
quell
(verb) put an end to
voluble
(adjective) talkative
confidant(e)
(noun) one to whom you confide your secrets
obsolescence
(noun) process of wearing out
dubious
(adjective) doubtful