Monday, February 11, 2008

TOP 180 WORDS IN CONTEXT

TOP 180 WORDS IN CONTEXT

1) ABSCOND: to leave secretly

Cheyenne ABSCONDED from McDonalds without paying her bill.

2) ABATE: to reduce in amount, degree, or severity

After the storm ABATED, people left the shelter and returned to their homes.

3) ABSTAIN: to choose not to do something

The priest will voluntarily ABSTAIN from sexual activity.

4) ABYSS: an extremely deep hole

The rodent scurried into his hiding place in the deep ABYSS of the cave.

Related words

ABYSSAL: pertaining to great depth

ABYSMAL: extremely bad

5) ADULTERATE: to make impure

The suspicious-tasting milk was ADULTERATED with water.

Related words

UNADULTERATED: pure

ADULTERY: an illicit relationship; an affair

6) ADVOCATE: to speak in favor of

The physician ADVOCATED a lifestyle including rigorous exercise.

Related words

ADVOCACY: active support for

7) AESTHETIC: concerning the appreciation of beauty

Decorators include flowers in home decor for their AESTHETIC appeal.

Related words

AESTHETE: someone unusually sensitive to beauty

AESTHETICISM: concern with beauty

8) AGGRANDIZE: to increase in power, influence, and reputation

The overzealous job candidate AGGRANDIZED himself by claiming achievements beyond his ability.

9) ALLEVIATE: to make more bearable

Two Ibuprofen will ALLEVIATE the pain from a headache.

10) AMALGAMATE: to combine; to mix together

IBM and GE AMALGAMATED to form Mega-Corporation.

Related Words

AMALGAM: a mixture, especially of two metals

11) AMBIGUOUS: doubtful or uncertain; able to be interpreted several ways

Jane's AMBIGUOUS response to his marriage proposal made Joe doubt her sincerity.

Related Words

AMBIGUITY: the quality of being ambiguous

12) AMELIORATE: to make better; to improve

Jane can AMELIORATE her dental pain by taking aspirin.

13) ANACHRONISM: something out of place in time

The 1950's music seemed ANACHRONISTIC in the modern nightclub.

14) ANALOGOUS: similar or alike in some way; equivalent to

My love for my son is ANALOGOUS to my father's love for me.

Related words

ANALOGY: a similarity between things that are otherwise dissimilar

ANALOGUE: something that is similar in some way to something else

15) ANOMALY: deviation from what is normal

Her friendly behavior at the dance was an ANOMALOUS deviation from her ususal frosty demeanor.

Related words

ANOMALOUS: deviating from what is normal

16) ANTAGONIZE: to. annoy or provoke to anger

The child ANTAGONIZED the cat by pulling its tail.

Related Words

ANTAGONISTIC: tending to provoke conflict

ANTAGONIST: someone who fights another

17) ANITPATHY: extreme dislike

The ANTIPATHY between Clare and her mother-in-law often descended into verbal fighting..

18) APATHY: lack of interest or emotion

APATHETIC voters don't bother to show up at the polls.

19) ARBITRATE: to judge a dispute between two opposing parties

Since the couple could not agree on a property settlement, a judge was forced to ARBITRATE their divorce proceedings.

Related words

ARBITRATION: a process by which a conflict is resolved

ARBITRATOR: a judge

20) ARCHAIC: ancient, old-fashioned

Her ARCHAIC computer could not handle the latest software.

Related words

ARCHAISM: an outdated word or phrase

21) ARDOR: intense and passionate feeling

Jason's ARDOR for Joan was evident when he passionately described the beauty of her smile.

Related words

ARDENT: expressing ardor; passionate

22) ARTICULATE: able to speak clearly and expressively

His ARTICULATE defense of his client convinced the jury to acquit him of all charges.

23) ASSUAGE: to make something unpleasant less severe

Paula used overeating to ASSUAGE her sense of meaninglessness and despair.

24) ATTENUATE: to reduce in force or degree; to weaken

The new law ATTENUATED the government's power to arrest people for frivolous reaosns..

25) AUDACIOUS: fearless and daring

The AUDACIOUS waitress insulted her customer, with no fear of possible reprisal.

Related words

AUDACITY: the quality of being audacious

26) AUSTERE: severe or stern in appearance; undecorated

The nuns' AUSTERE home was completely unadorned.

Related words

AUSTERITY: severity, especially poverty

27) BANAL: predictable, cliched, boring

Flight attendants greet all passengers with BANAL phrases like "Have a nice day".

Related words

BANALITY: the quality of being banal

28) BOLSTER: to support; to prop up

The metal brackets BOLSTERED the heavy bookshelves onto the wall.

29) BOMBASTIC: pompous in speech and manner

Jake's BOMBASTIC claims were too outrageous to be believed.

Related words

BOMBAST: pompous speech or writing

30) CACOPHONY: harsh, jarring noise

The chirping of the birds created a CACOPHONY in the normally silent backyard.

31) CANDID: impartial and honest in speech

Children's observations are usually CANDID and unpretentious.

32) CAPRICIOUS: changing one's mind quickly and often

Jill's CAPRICIOUS nature led her to change boyfriends quite often.

Related words

CAPRICE: whim, sudden fancy

33) CASTIGATE: to punish or criticize harshly

European countries CASTIGATE perpetrators harshly for crimes that are considered minor in the United States.

34) CATALYST: something that brings about a change in something else

Jack's great job on the project was the CATALYST that led to his promotion.

Related Words

CATALYZE: to bring about a change in something else

35) CAUSTIC: biting in wit

Jim's insulting, yet clever remarks gave him a reputation for CAUSTIC wit.

36) CHAOS: great disorder or confusion

Without proper supervision, the children's behavior will descend into CHAOS.

Related Words

CHAOTIC: jumbled, confused

37) CHAUVINIST: someone prejudiced in favor of a group to which he or she belongs

Male CHAUVINISTS think that men are inherently superior to women.

38) CHICANERY: deception by means of craft or guile

Dishonest salesmen often use CHICANERY to sell their least desirable products.

39) COGENT: convincing and well reasoned

Swayed by the COGENT argument of the defense, the jury acquitted the defendant.

Related words

COGITATE: to think deeply

40) CONDONE: to overlook, pardon, or disregard

Failing to prosecute minor crimes CONDONES lawlessness.

41) CONVOLUTED: intricate and complicated

Rather than tell the truth, Jane made up a long, CONVOLUTED story to explain her absence.

42) CORROBORATE: to provide supporting evidence

Physical evidence CORROBORATED the witness's testimony.

43) CREDULOUS: too trusting; gullible

Only CREDULOUS 9-year-olds still believe in Santa Claus.

Related words

CREDULITY: the quality of being credulous

44) CRESCENDO: steadily increasing volume or force

The CRESCENDO of tension became unbearable as the mystery movie continued.

45) DECORUM: appropriateness of behavior or conduct; propriety

The biker lacked the DECORUM appropriate for a formal dinner.

Related words

DECOROUS: conforming to acceptable standards

46) DEFERENCE: respect, courtesy

Gentle George treated his elderly grandmother with the utmost DEFERENCE.

Related words

DEFER: to delay; to show someone deference

DEFERENT: courteous and respectful

47) DERIDE: to speak of or treat with contempt; to mock

The awkward teenager was often DERIDED by his more popular peers.

Related words

DERISION: mockery and taunts

DERISIVE: in a mocking manner

48) DESICCATE: to dry out thoroughly

DESICCATED coconut has been dried and browned in a hot oven.

Related words

DESICCANT: something that removes water from another substance

49) DIATRIBE: an abusive, condemnatory speech

The angry husband bellowed a DIATRIBE at his unsuspecting wife.

50) DESULTORY: jumping from one thing to another; disconnected

Jade had a DESULTORY education, dropping out at the drop of a hat.

51) DIFFIDENT: lacking self-confidence

Sara's DIFFIDENT manner during her date suggested she was not interested in Jake.

52) DILATE: to make larger; to expand

My pupils DILATE when I enter a dark room.

53) DILATORY: intended to delay

The attorney used DILATORY means to stall the trial.

54) DILETTANTE: someone with an amateurish and superficial interest in a topic

DILETTANTES have only a superficial interest in the hobby.

55) DIRGE: a funeral hymn or mournful speech

Mike wrote a DIRGE for the funeral of his cherished grandfather.

56) DISABUSE: to set right; to free from error

Benjamin Franklin DISABUSED critics who didn't understand electricity .

57) DISCERN: to perceive; to recognize

It is not always easy to DISCERN the difference between the truth and lies.

Related words

DISCERNMENT: taste and cultivation

58) DISPARATE: fundamentally different; entirely unlike

The boys look alike, yet their personalities are DISPARATE.

59) DISSEMBLE: to present a false appearance; to disguise one's real intentions or character

The lying husband could DISSEMBLE to his wife no longer; he admitted his plans to leave her.

60) DISSONANCE: a harsh and disagreeable combination, often of sounds

The DISSONANCE in the woods was caused by the is the inner conflict produced when long-standing beliefs are contradicted by new evidence.

61) DOGMA: a firmly held opinion, often a religious belief

Karen's firm DOGMA was that our souls all live multiple lives through reincarnation.

DOGMATIC: dictatorial in one's opinions

The dictator was DOGMATIC-he, and only he, was right.

62) DUPE: to deceive; a person who is easily deceived

Con artists often DUPE the elderly out of their life savings.

63) ECLECTIC: selecting from or made up from a variety of sources

Jade's furiniture is an ECLECTIC mix of modern and southwestern styles.

64) EFFICACY: effectiveness

The EFFICACY of the drug is reduced if it is not taken according to the directions.

Related words

EFFICACIOUS: effective; productive

65) ELEGY: a sorrowful poem or speech

The author wrote an emotional ELEGY about his mother's death.

Related words

ELEGIAC: like an elegy; mournful

66) ELOQUENT: persuasive and moving, especially in speech

The President gave an ELOQUENT speech in honor of the lost soldiers.

67) EMULATE: to copy; to try to equal or excel

Jody tried to EMULATE her older sister Connie, copying her dress, hairstyle and mannerisims.

68) ENERVATE: to reduce in strength

The US military's surprise attacks ENERVATED the opposing army.

Related words

UNNERVE: to deprive of strength or courage

69) ENGENDER: to produce, cause, or bring about

Laura's fear of dogs was ENGENDERED at age six, when she was bitten by a pit bull.

70) ENIGMA: a puzzle; a mystery

Lois was so quiet about her personal life that she was somewhat of an ENIGMA in the otherwise close group.

71) ENUMERATE: to count, list, or itemize

The wife ENUMERATED her husband's faults during their bitter argument.

72) EPHEMERAL: lasting a short time

The heady romantic phase of a relationship is EPHEMERAL in the context of a lifelong marriage.

73) EQUIVOCATE: to use expressions of double meaning in order to mislead

The witness EQUIVOCATED when questioned by the police, misleading them about the time of the robbery.

Related Words

EQUIVOCAL: undecided; trying to deceive

EQUIVOCATION: the act or state of equivocating

74) ERRATIC: wandering and unpredictable

The excited puppy ran ERRATICALLY through the house, often bumping into the furniture.

Related words

ERRANT: straying, mistaken, roving

75) ERUDITE: learned, scholarly, bookish

The annual research meeting attracted the most ERUDITE, well-published individuals.

Related words

ERUDITION: extensive knowledge or learning

76) ESOTERIC: known or understood by only a few

The teacher struggled to explain the ESOTERIC world of forensic science to the young class.

77) ESTIMABLE: admirable

Diane's commitment to charity work is ESTIMABLE, considering her busy schedule.

Related words

ESTEEM: high regard

78) EULOGY: speech in praise of someone

David gave his father's EULOGY; outlining his achievements and delightful personality.

79) EUPHEMISM: use of an inoffensive word or phrase in place of a more distasteful one

The human resource director preferred to use the EUPHEMISM "outsourced" instead of "fired."

80) EXACERBATE: to make worse

Instead of helping, the antacid EXACERBATED Karen's queaziness.

81) EXCULPATE: to clear from blame; prove innocent

The defense attorney was hired to EXCULPATE his innocent client.

82) EXIGENT: urgent; requiring immediate action

Because the bank robbers had loaded weapons, it was EXIGENT for the police to capture them.

83) EXONERATE: to clear of blame

Mr. Williams was EXONERATED when his partner confessed to stealing the money.

84) EXPLICIT: clearly stated or shown; forthright in expression

The homeowners left a list of EXPLICIT instructions for their housecleaner to follow.

Related Words

EXPLICABLE: capable of being explained

EXPLICATE: to give a detailed explanation

85) FANATICAL: acting excessively enthusiastic; filled with extreme, unquestioned devotion

The moviegoers were FANATICAL in their devotion to Jim Carrey, praising even his worst movies.

86) FAWN: to grovel

Diane FAWNED over the stagehand, hoping to gain a backstage pass for the concert.

87) FERVID: intensely emotional; feverish

Bon Jovi fans were FERVID, doing anything to catch a glimpse of the group.

Related Words

FERVENT: enthusiastic

FERVOR: passion

88) FLORID: excessively decorated or embellished

Having more money than taste, the lottery winner decorated her home in an excessively FLORID style.

89) FOMENT: to arouse or incite

The candidate tried to FOMENT sentiment against the war during his impassioned speech.

90) FRUGALITY: a tendency to be thrifty or cheap

Due to Claire's FRUGALITY, she was able to save more than half of her take-home pay.

91) GARRULOUS: tending to talk a lot

Jake loved GARRULOUS women, whose continuous allowed him to quietly listen.

92) GREGARIOUS: outgoing, sociable

Jill was so GREGARIOUS that she was always surrounded by friends.

93) GUILE: deceit or trickery

The desperate soldier resorted to GUILE in an effort to trap his enemy.

Related words

GUILELESS: innocent, without trickery

94) GULLIBLE: easily deceived

The con man fooled GULLIBLE elderly people into investing their life savings.

Related words

GULL: a person who is easily tricked

95) HOMOGENOUS: of a similar kind

The group was fairly HOMOGENOUS, including seven food science majors.

Related words

HOMOGENIZED: thorougly mixed together

96) ICONOCLAST: one who opposes established beliefs, customs, and institutions

Because he rejected traditional beliefs, Jerry Garcia was considered an ICONOCLAST.

97) IMPERTURBABLE: not capable of being disturbed

The day care worker seemed IMPERTURBABLE, even when faced with the wildest tantrums.

Related words

PERTURB: to disturb greatly

98) IMPERVIOUS: impossible to penetrate; incapable of being affected

A good roof is IMPERVIOUS to moisture.

99) IMPETUOUS: quick to act without thinking .

Rachel preffered to think through her options thoroughly, rather than make an IMPETUOUS move.

Related Words

IMPETUS: impulse

100) IMPLACABLE: unable to be calmed down or made peaceful

John's rage at his wife's betrayal left him IMPLACABLE for weeks.

Related Words

PLACATE: to make peaceful

101) INCHOATE: not fully formed; disorganized

In his first rough manuscript, the author's ideas were still in an INCHOATE.

102) INGENUOUS: showing innocence or childlike simplicity

Diane was INGENUOUS by nature, trusting everyone with the innocence of a child.

Related Words

INGENUE: a naive girl or young woman

DISINGENUOUS: giving a false impression of innocence

103) INIMICAL: hostile, unfriendly

Despite settling their lawsuit, the two sides were still INIMICAL to each other.

104) INNOCUOUS: harmless

Most bacteria are INNOCUOUS and pose no danger to humans.

105) INSIPID: lacking interest or flavor

INSIPID writing lacks interest and flavor.

106) INTRANSIGENT: uncompromising; refusing to be reconciled

Joe's boss was INTRANSIGENT on the deadline, insisting that the project be completed on time.

107) INUNDATE: to overwhelm; to cover with water

After the hurricane, the insurance company was INUNDATED with claims.

108) IRASCIBLE: easily made angry

Dave's IRASCIBLE nature made it hard to keep friends and lovers.

Related Words

IRATE: angry

109) LACONIC: using few words

Laura was a LACONIC speaker who used words as sparingly as possible.

110) LAMENT: to express sorrow; to grieve

Marah continues to LAMENT the death of her mother.

111) LAUD: to give praise; to glorify

The students LAUDED the success of Mr. Stevens, who was named Teacher of the Year.

Related words

LAUDABLE: worth of praise

LAUDATORY: expressing praise

112) LAVISH: to give unsparingly (v.); extremely generous or extravagant (adj.)

She LAVISHED the child with so much attention that it soon become selfish and spoiled.

113) LETHARGIC: acting in an indifferent or slow, sluggish manner

The effects of mono left Grace so LETHARGIC that she couldn't complete her chores.

114) LOQUACIOUS: talkative

Her LOQUACIOUS nature was a problem at times when listening was more important than talking.

Related Words

ELOQUENCE: powerful, convincing speaking

LOQUACITY: the quality of being loquacious

115) LUCID: clear and easily understood

The explanations were written in a simple and LUCID manner that readers easily understood.

Related Words

LUCIDITY: clarity

LUCENT: glowing with light

116) LUMINOUS: bright, brilliant, glowing

The beach was bathed in LUMINOUS sunshine all summer long.

Related Words

ILLUMINATE: to shine light on

LUMINARY: an inspiring person

117) MALINGER: to evade responsibility by pretending to be ill

John hoped that his MALINGERING would prevent him from being drafted.

Related words

LINGER: to be slow in leaving

118) MALLEABLE: capable of being shaped

MALLEABLE precious metals can easily be formed into almost any shape.

119) METAPHOR: a figure of speech comparing two different things; a symbol

The METAPHOR "a sea of troubles" suggests a lot of troubles by comparing their number to the vastness of the sea.

Related Words

METAPHORICAL: standing as a symbol for something else

120) METICULOUS: extremely careful about details

The investigators METICULOUSLY examined every inch of the crime scene.

121) MISANTHROPE: a person who dislikes others

Scrooge is such a MISANTHROPE that even children make him angry.

122) MITIGATE: to soften; to lessen

The storm MITIGATED after several hours, allowing stranded motorists to resume their journey home.

123) MOLLIFY: to calm or make less severe

The sparring spouses were so angry that no compromise would MOLLIFY them.

124) MONOTONY: lack of variation

The MONOTONY of the simple task drove the factoy worker crazy.

Related Words

MONOTONE: a sound that is made at the same tone or pitch

125) NAIVE: lacking sophistication or experience

Jane was so young and NAIVE that she believed the man's insincere flattery.

Related words

NAIVETE: the state of being naive

126) OBDURATE: hardened in feeling; resistant to persuasion .

Monica was OBDURATE on the issue, and no amount of persuasion would change her mind.

127) OBSEQUIOUS: overly submissive and eager to please

The OBSEQUIOUS new secretary complimented her supervisors to the point of embarrassment.

Related Words

OBEISANCE: a physical show of respect or submission, such as a bow

128) OBSTINATE: stubborn, unyielding

The OBSTINATE child refused to eat any food that she disliked.

129) OBVIATE: to prevent; to make unnecessary

The unexpected bonus check OBVIATED her need for an emergency loan.

130) OCCLUDE: to stop up; to prevent the passage of

During a solar eclipse, the light from the sun is OCCLUDED by the moon.

131) ONEROUS: troublesome and oppressive; burdensome

The huge assignment was an ONEROUS burden to the already overworked team.

132) OPAQUE: impossible to see through; preventing the passage of light

The windows were almost OPAQUE from the buildup of dirt.

Related Words

OPACITY: the quality of being obscure and indecipherable

133) OPPROBRIUM: public disgrace

After his torrid extramarital affair became public, the Governor resigned in OPPROBRIUM.

134) OSTENTATION: excessive showiness

The King's palace was over-decorated in a dramatic, OSTENTATIOUS manner.

Related Words

OSTENSIBLE: apparent

135) PARADOX: a contradiction or dilemma

In a sad PARADOX , those most in need of medical attention are least able to obtain it.

136) PARAGON: model of excellence or perfection

Miss America is the PARAGON of what a young woman should be: beautiful, intelligent, talented and fit.

137) PEDANT: someone who shows off learning

The professor's excessive commentary on the topic gained him a reputation as a PEDANT.

Related words

PEDANTIC: making an excessive display of learning

138) PERFIDIOUS: willing to betray one's trust

The actress's PERFIDIOUS boyfriend revealed all of her intimate secrets to the press.

Related Words

PERFIDY: deceit, treachery

139) PERFUNCTORY: done in a routine way; indifferent

The harried waitress took the order and gave the waiting customer a PERFUNCTORY smile.

140) PERMEATE: to penetrate

The spilled wine PERMEATED the white linen table cloth.

Related words

IMPERMEABLE: unable to be permeated

141) PHILANTHROPY: charity; a desire or effort to promote goodness

Charities owe most of their working cpaital to the PHILANTHROPY of private citizens in the community.

Related words

PHILANTHROPIST: someone who is generous and desires to promote goodness

142) PLACATE: to soothe or pacify

The burglar tried to PLACATE the snarling dog by offering it a treat.

Related words

PLACID: tolerant; calm

IMPLACABLE: unable to be made peaceful

143) PLASTIC: able to be molded, altered, or bent

The PLASTIC material could be formed into products of vastly different shape.

144) PLETHORA: excess

The house was overrun with a PLETHORA of knick knacks.

145) PRAGMATIC: practical as opposed to idealistic

While dreamers think they may win the lottery, PRAGMATIC people realize that the odds are stacked heavily stacked against them.

Related Words

PRAGMATISM: a practical approach to problem solving

146) PRECIPITATE: to throw violently or bring about abruptly; lacking deliberation

The revelation of Cassie's extramarital affair PRECIPITATED her divorce.

Related Words

PRECIPITOUS: very steep

PRECIPICE: a steep cliff

PRECIPITATION: weather phenomena, like rain or snow, that fall from the sky

147) PREVARICATE: to lie or deviate from the truth

Rather than admit the truth, the employee PREVARICATED to avoid being chastised.

148) PRISTINE: fresh and clean; uncorrupted

Jane cleaned all day so that Bob would return to a PRISTINE house.

149) PRODIGAL: lavish, wasteful

The PRODIGAL son wasted his inheritance on a decadent lifestyle.

Related Words

PRODIGALITY: excessive or reckless spending

150) PROLIFERATE: to increase in number quickly

The two hamsters quickly PROLIFERATED to several dozen.

Related Words

PROLIFIC: very productive or highly able to reproduce rapidly

151) PROPITIATE: to conciliate; to appease

The management PROPITIATED the irate union by agreeing to raise wages.

Related Words

PROPITIOUS: advantageous, favorable

152) PROPRIETY: correct behavior; obedience to rules and customs

My grandmother maintained a high level of PROPRIETY, adhering to dozens of social rules.

Related Words

APPROPRIATE: suitable for a particular occasion or place

153) PRUDENCE: wisdom, caution, or restraint

The college student exhibited PRUDENCE by carefully managing her small savings.

Related Words

PRUDE: someone who is excessively concerned with propriety

PRUDISH: prissy and puritanical

154) PUNGENT: sharp and irritating to the senses

The smoke from the burning casserole was extremely PUNGENT

155) QUIESCENT: motionless

QUIESCENT animals minimize their activity to conserve energy.

Related Words

QUIESCENCE: state of rest or inactivity

156) RAREFY: to make thinner or sparser

Because the atmosphere RAREFIES as altitudes increase, the air at the top of very tall mountains is too thin to breathe.

Related Words

RAREFACTION: the process of making something less dense

157) REPUDIATE: to reject the validity of

The woman's paternity suit was REPUDIATED when DNA tests showed her ex-boyfriend was not the father of her baby.

158) RETICENT: silent, reserved

RETICENT in her speech, Clara often remains unnoticed.

159) RHETORIC: effective writing or speaking

Lincoln's talent for RHETORIC was evident in his Gettysburg Address.

160) SATIATE: to satisfy fully or overindulge

His desire for power was so great that nothing could SATIATE it.

Related Words

SATE: to fully satisfy or ov:erindulge

INSATIABLE: incapable of being satisfied

161) SOPORIFIC: causing sleep or lethargy

The SOPORIFIC movie left most viewers sleepy.

Related Words

SOPOR: deep sleep

162) SPECIOUS: deceptively attractive; seemingly plausible but fallacious

Jill's SPECIOUS excuse sounded legitimate, but was proved otherwise when her teacher called her home.

163) STIGMA: a mark of shame or discredit

As progressive as we seem, there is still a STIGMA against single motherhood.

Related Words

STIGMATIZE: to disgrace; to label with negative terms or reputation

164) STOLID: unemotional; lacking sensitivity

The convict appeared STOLID and unaffected by the judge's harsh sentence.

165) SUBLIME: lofty or grand

The SUBLIME music transformed the ordinary surroundings into a special place.

Related words

SUBLIMATE: to elevate or convert into something of higher worth

SUBLIMINAL: existing outside conscious awareness

166) TACIT: done without using words

The group made an TACIT agreement about which course of action to take.

Related Words

TACITURN: silent, not talkative

167) TACITURN: silent, not talkative

John's father was so TACITURN that he rarely spoke to his own children.

Related words

TACIT: done without using words

168) TIRADE: long, harsh speech or verbal attack

Diane was shocked at the man's TIRADE over such a minor mistake.

169) TORPOR: extreme mental and physical sluggishness

After surgery, the patient experienced TORPOR until the anesthesia wore off.

Related words

TORPID: sluggish, lacking movement

170) TRANSITORY: temporary, lasting a brief time

The student lived a TRANSITORY life, moving almost every semester.

Related words

TRANSIT: to pass through; to change or make a transition

TRANSIENT: passing quickly in and out of existence; one who stays a short time

171) VACILLATE: to sway physically; to be indecisive

The customer VACILlATED between ordering chocolate chip or rocky road ice cream.

172) VENERATE: to respect deeply

In China, the young VENERATE their elders, deferring to their wisdom and experience.

Related words

VENERABLE: old, worthy of respect

173) VERACITY: filled with truth and accuracy

The doctor's reputation for VERACITY made everyone trusted her description of events.

Related words

VERITY: truth

VERACIOUS: truthful, accurate

174) VERBOSE: wordy

The witness's answer was so VERBOSE that the attorney forgot his original question.

Related words

VERBALIZE: to put into words

VERBATIM: to quote using the exact words, word for word

VERBIAGE: lots of words that are usually superfluous

175) VEX: to annoy

The quiet old man was VEXED by his neighbor's loud music.

Related words

VEXATION: a feeling of irritation

176) VOLATILE: easily aroused or changeable; lively or explosive

Fawn's VOLATILE personality made it hard to predict her reaction to anything.

177) WAVER: to fluctuate between choices

Dave WAVERED between asking Cathy and Sharon to the dance.

178) WHIMSICAL: acting in a fanciful or capricious manner; unpredictable

The WHIMSICAL ballet delighted the children with its imaginative characters.

Related words

WHIM: a fancy or sudden notion

179) ZEAL: passion, excitement

Cathy brought ZEAL to the project, sparking enthusiasm in the other team members.

Related Words

ZEALOT: a fanatic

180) ZEPHYR: gentle breeze

The coolness of the room was enhanced by the ZEPHYR coming through the window.

Words with similar meanings

BREEZY

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