300 Most Difficult SAT Words

Master the most challenging vocabulary words that appear on the SAT. These advanced words from CurioLearn include 300 carefully selected terms with definitions, examples, and category classifications to help you excel.

Practice with Flashcards

Test your knowledge with interactive flashcards. Study words randomly selected from the vocabulary list.

abject

Definition:

Someone or something of the most contemptible kind.

Example:

What kind of person or situation is described as 'abject'?

aberration

Definition:

A state or condition markedly different from the norm.

Example:

What is an 'aberration'?

abjure

Definition:

To formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief.

Example:

What does it mean to 'abjure' something?

abnegation

Definition:

The denial and rejection of a doctrine or belief.

Example:

What is 'abnegation'?

abrogate

Definition:

To revoke formally.

Example:

What does it mean to 'abrogate'?

abscond

Definition:

To run away, often taking something or somebody along.

Example:

What does it mean to 'abscond'?

abstruse

Definition:

Something that is difficult to understand.

Example:

What does 'abstruse' describe?

accede

Definition:

To yield to another's wish or opinion.

Example:

What does it mean to 'accede'?

accost

Definition:

To approach and speak to someone aggressively or insistently.

Example:

What does it mean to 'accost' someone?

accretion

Definition:

An increase by natural growth or addition.

Example:

What is 'accretion'?

acumen

Definition:

Shrewdness shown by keen insight.

Example:

What is 'acumen'?

adamant

Definition:

Impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'adamant'?

admonish

Definition:

To scold or reprimand; to take to task.

Example:

What does it mean to 'admonish' someone?

adumbrate

Definition:

To describe roughly or give the main points or summary of.

Example:

What does it mean to 'adumbrate' something?

adverse

Definition:

In an opposing direction.

Example:

In what direction does something 'adverse' move?

advocate

Definition:

A person who pleads for a person, cause, or idea.

Example:

What is an 'advocate'?

affluent

Definition:

Having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value.

Example:

What characterizes someone who is 'affluent'?

aggrandize

Definition:

To embellish; to increase the scope, power, or importance of.

Example:

What does it mean to 'aggrandize' something?

alacrity

Definition:

Liveliness and eagerness.

Example:

What is 'alacrity'?

alias

Definition:

A name that has been assumed temporarily.

Example:

What is an 'alias'?

ambivalent

Definition:

Uncertain or unable to decide about what course to follow.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'ambivalent'?

amenable

Definition:

Disposed or willing to comply.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'amenable'?

amorphous

Definition:

Having no definite form or distinct shape.

Example:

What does 'amorphous' describe?

anachronistic

Definition:

Chronologically misplaced.

Example:

What does 'anachronistic' mean in terms of time?

anathema

Definition:

A formal ecclesiastical curse accompanied by excommunication.

Example:

What is 'anathema'?

annex

Definition:

To attach to.

Example:

What does it mean to 'annex' something?

antediluvian

Definition:

Of or relating to the period before the biblical flood.

Example:

What period does 'antediluvian' refer to?

antiseptic

Definition:

Thoroughly clean and free of disease-causing organisms.

Example:

What is the characteristic of something 'antiseptic'?

apathetic

Definition:

Showing little or no emotion or animation.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'apathetic'?

antithesis

Definition:

The exact opposite.

Example:

What is the 'antithesis' of something?

apocryphal

Definition:

Being of questionable authenticity.

Example:

What is the characteristic of something 'apocryphal'?

approbation

Definition:

Official acceptance or agreement.

Example:

What is 'approbation'?

arbitrary

Definition:

Based on or subject to individual discretion or preference.

Example:

On what is something 'arbitrary' based?

arboreal

Definition:

Of or relating to or formed by trees.

Example:

What does 'arboreal' relate to?

arcane

Definition:

Requiring secret or mysterious knowledge.

Example:

What kind of knowledge is described as 'arcane'?

archetypal

Definition:

Of an original pattern on which other things are modeled.

Example:

What does 'archetypal' describe?

arrogate

Definition:

To seize and take control without authority.

Example:

What does it mean to 'arrogate' something?

ascetic

Definition:

Someone who practices self-denial as a spiritual discipline.

Example:

What is an 'ascetic'?

aspersion

Definition:

A disparaging remark.

Example:

What is an 'aspersion'?

assiduous

Definition:

Marked by care and persistent effort.

Example:

What characterizes someone who is 'assiduous'?

atrophy

Definition:

A decrease in size of an organ caused by disease or disuse.

Example:

What causes 'atrophy'?

bane

Definition:

Something causing misery or death.

Example:

What is 'bane'?

bashful

Definition:

Self-consciously timid.

Example:

What describes someone who is 'bashful'?

beguile

Definition:

To influence by slyness.

Example:

What does it mean to 'beguile' someone?

bereft

Definition:

Lacking or deprived of something.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'bereft'?

blandishment

Definition:

Flattery intended to persuade.

Example:

What is 'blandishment' used for?

bilk

Definition:

To cheat somebody out of what is due, especially money.

Example:

What does it mean to 'bilk' somebody?

bombastic

Definition:

Ostentatiously lofty in style.

Example:

What is characteristic of 'bombastic' style?

cajole

Definition:

To influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering.

Example:

What does it mean to 'cajole' someone?

callous

Definition:

Emotionally hardened.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'callous'?

calumny

Definition:

A false accusation of an offense.

Example:

What is 'calumny'?

camaraderie

Definition:

The quality of affording easy familiarity and sociability.

Example:

What is 'camaraderie'?

candor

Definition:

The quality of being honest and straightforward.

Example:

What is 'candor'?

capitulate

Definition:

To surrender under agreed conditions.

Example:

What does it mean to 'capitulate'?

carouse

Definition:

To celebrate or enjoy something in a noisy or wild way.

Example:

What does it mean to 'carouse'?

carp

Definition:

Any of various freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae.

Example:

What is a 'carp'?

caucus

Definition:

Meet to select a candidate or promote a policy.

Example:

What happens at a 'caucus'?

cavort

Definition:

To play boisterously.

Example:

What does it mean to 'cavort'?

circumlocution

Definition:

An indirect way of expressing something.

Example:

What is 'circumlocution'?

circumscribe

Definition:

To draw a geometric figure around another figure.

Example:

What does it mean to 'circumscribe' something?

circumvent

Definition:

To surround so as to force to give up.

Example:

What does it mean to 'circumvent' something?

clamor

Definition:

To utter or proclaim insistently and noisily.

Example:

What does it mean to 'clamor'?

cleave

Definition:

To separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument.

Example:

What does it mean to 'cleave' something?

cobbler

Definition:

A person who makes or repairs shoes.

Example:

What does a 'cobbler' do?

cogent

Definition:

Powerfully persuasive.

Example:

What does 'cogent' describe?

cognizant

Definition:

Having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'cognizant'?

commensurate

Definition:

Corresponding in size or degree or extent.

Example:

What does 'commensurate' mean in terms of comparison?

complement

Definition:

Something added to embellish or make perfect.

Example:

What is a 'complement'?

compunction

Definition:

A feeling of deep regret, usually for some misdeed.

Example:

What is 'compunction'?

concomitant

Definition:

Following or accompanying as a consequence.

Example:

What does 'concomitant' describe?

conduit

Definition:

A passage through which water or electric wires can pass.

Example:

What is a 'conduit'?

conflagration

Definition:

A very intense and uncontrolled fire.

Example:

What is a 'conflagration'?

congruity

Definition:

The quality of agreeing; being suitable and appropriate.

Example:

What is 'congruity'?

connive

Definition:

To form intrigues (for) in an underhand manner.

Example:

What does it mean to 'connive'?

consign

Definition:

To give over to another for care or safekeeping.

Example:

What does it mean to 'consign' something?

constituent

Definition:

One of the individual parts making up a composite entity.

Example:

What is a 'constituent'?

construe

Definition:

To make sense of; assign a meaning to.

Example:

What does it mean to 'construe' something?

contusion

Definition:

An injury in which the skin is not broken.

Example:

What is a 'contusion'?

contrite

Definition:

Feeling or expressing pain or sorrow.

Example:

What does it mean to be 'contrite'?

contentious

Definition:

Showing an inclination to disagree.

Example:

What does 'contentious' describe?

contravene

Definition:

To go against, as of rules and laws.

Example:

What does it mean to 'contravene' something?

convivial

Definition:

Occupied with or fond of the pleasures of good company.

Example:

What does 'convivial' describe?

corpulence

Definition:

The property of excessive fatness.

Example:

What is 'corpulence'?

covet

Definition:

To wish, long, or crave for.

Example:

What does it mean to 'covet' something?

cupidity

Definition:

Extreme greed for material wealth.

Example:

What is 'cupidity'?

dearth

Definition:

An insufficient quantity or number.

Example:

What is a 'dearth'?

debacle

Definition:

A sudden and complete disaster.

Example:

What is a 'debacle'?

debauch

Definition:

A wild gathering.

Example:

What is a 'debauch'?

debunk

Definition:

To expose while ridiculing.

Example:

What does it mean to 'debunk' something?

defunct

Definition:

No longer in force or use; inactive.

Example:

What does 'defunct' mean?

demagogue

Definition:

A leader who seeks support by appealing to popular passions.

Example:

What is a 'demagogue'?

denigrate

Definition:

To attack the good name and reputation of someone.

Example:

What does it mean to 'denigrate' someone?

derivative

Definition:

A compound obtained from another compound.

Example:

What is a 'derivative' in chemistry?

despot

Definition:

A cruel and oppressive dictator.

Example:

What is a 'despot'?

diaphanous

Definition:

So thin as to transmit light.

Example:

What quality does 'diaphanous' describe?

didactic

Definition:

Instructive, especially excessively.

Example:

What is the nature of something 'didactic'?

dirge

Definition:

A song or hymn of mourning as a memorial to a dead person.

Example:

What is a 'dirge'?

disaffected

Definition:

Discontented as toward authority.

Example:

What does 'disaffected' describe?

discomfit

Definition:

To cause to lose one's composure.

Example:

What does it mean to 'discomfit' someone?

disparate

Definition:

Fundamentally different or distinct in quality or kind.

Example:

What does 'disparate' describe?

dispel

Definition:

To cause to separate and go in different directions.

Example:

What does it mean to 'dispel' something?

disrepute

Definition:

The state of being held in low esteem.

Example:

What is the state of 'disrepute'?

divisive

Definition:

Causing or characterized by disagreement or disunity.

Example:

What does 'divisive' cause?

dogmatic

Definition:

Pertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritative.

Example:

What does 'dogmatic' pertain to?

dour

Definition:

Showing a brooding ill humor.

Example:

What does 'dour' describe?

duplicity

Definition:

The act of deceiving or acting in bad faith.

Example:

What is 'duplicity'?

duress

Definition:

Compulsory force or threat.

Example:

What is 'duress'?

eclectic

Definition:

Selecting what seems best of various styles or ideas.

Example:

What does 'eclectic' mean in terms of selection?

edict

Definition:

A formal or authoritative proclamation.

Example:

What is an 'edict'?

ebullient

Definition:

Joyously unrestrained.

Example:

What does 'ebullient' describe?

egregious

Definition:

Conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible.

Example:

What does 'egregious' describe?

elegy

Definition:

A mournful poem; a lament for the dead.

Example:

What is an 'elegy'?

elicit

Definition:

To call forth, as an emotion, feeling, or response.

Example:

What does it mean to 'elicit' something?

embezzlement

Definition:

The fraudulent appropriation of funds or property.

Example:

What is 'embezzlement'?

emend

Definition:

To make corrections to.

Example:

What does it mean to 'emend'?

emollient

Definition:

A substance with a soothing effect when applied to the skin.

Example:

What is an 'emollient'?

empirical

Definition:

Derived from experiment and observation rather than theory.

Example:

On what is something 'empirical' based?

emulate

Definition:

To strive to equal or match, especially by imitating.

Example:

What does it mean to 'emulate' someone?

enervate

Definition:

To weaken physically, mentally, or morally.

Example:

What does it mean to 'enervate' someone?

enfranchise

Definition:

To grant freedom to, as from slavery or servitude.

Example:

What does it mean to 'enfranchise' someone?

engender

Definition:

To call forth.

Example:

What does it mean to 'engender' something?

ephemeral

Definition:

Anything short-lived, as an insect that lives only for a day.

Example:

What is an 'ephemeral'?

epistolary

Definition:

Written in the form of letters or correspondence.

Example:

What does 'epistolary' relate to?

equanimity

Definition:

Steadiness of mind under stress.

Example:

What is 'equanimity'?

equivocal

Definition:

Open to two or more interpretations.

Example:

What does 'equivocal' mean in terms of interpretation?

espouse

Definition:

To choose and follow a theory, idea, policy, etc.

Example:

What does it mean to 'espouse' something?

evanescent

Definition:

Short-lived; tending to vanish or disappear.

Example:

What does 'evanescent' describe?

evince

Definition:

To give expression to.

Example:

What does it mean to 'evince' something?

exacerbate

Definition:

To make worse.

Example:

What does it mean to 'exacerbate' something?

exhort

Definition:

To spur on or encourage especially by cheers and shouts.

Example:

What does it mean to 'exhort' someone?

execrable

Definition:

Unequivocally detestable.

Example:

What does 'execrable' describe?

exigent

Definition:

Demanding immediate attention.

Example:

What does 'exigent' demand?

expedient

Definition:

Appropriate to a purpose.

Example:

What does 'expedient' mean in terms of appropriateness?

expiate

Definition:

To make amends for.

Example:

What does it mean to 'expiate' something?

expunge

Definition:

To remove by erasing or crossing out or as if by drawing a line.

Example:

What does it mean to 'expunge' something?

extraneous

Definition:

Not belonging to that in which it is contained.

Example:

What does 'extraneous' mean in terms of belonging?

extol

Definition:

To praise, glorify, or honor.

Example:

What does it mean to 'extol' someone or something?

extant

Definition:

Still in existence; not extinct or destroyed or lost.

Example:

What does 'extant' mean?

expurgate

Definition:

To edit by omitting or modifying parts considered indelicate.

Example:

What does it mean to 'expurgate'?

fallacious

Definition:

Containing or based on incorrect reasoning.

Example:

What does 'fallacious' mean in terms of reasoning?

fatuous

Definition:

Devoid of intelligence.

Example:

What does 'fatuous' describe?

fetter

Definition:

A shackle for the ankles or feet.

Example:

What is a 'fetter'?

flagrant

Definition:

Conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible.

Example:

What does 'flagrant' describe?

foil

Definition:

To hinder or prevent, as an effort, plan, or desire.

Example:

What does it mean to 'foil' something?

forbearance

Definition:

Good-natured tolerance of delay or incompetence.

Example:

What is 'forbearance'?

fortuitous

Definition:

Lucky; occurring by happy chance.

Example:

What does 'fortuitous' mean?

fractious

Definition:

Easily irritated or annoyed.

Example:

What does 'fractious' describe?

garrulous

Definition:

Full of trivial conversation.

Example:

What does 'garrulous' describe?

gourmand

Definition:

A person who is devoted to eating and drinking to excess.

Example:

What is a 'gourmand'?

grandiloquent

Definition:

Lofty in style.

Example:

What does 'grandiloquent' describe?

gratuitous

Definition:

Unnecessary and unwarranted.

Example:

What does 'gratuitous' mean?

hapless

Definition:

Unfortunate and deserving pity.

Example:

What does 'hapless' describe?

hegemony

Definition:

The dominance or leadership of one social group over others.

Example:

What is 'hegemony'?

heterogenous

Definition:

Consisting of elements that are not of the same kind.

Example:

What does 'heterogenous' describe?

iconoclast

Definition:

Someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions.

Example:

What is an 'iconoclast'?

idiosyncratic

Definition:

Peculiar to the individual.

Example:

What does 'idiosyncratic' describe?

impecunious

Definition:

Not having enough money to pay for necessities.

Example:

What does 'impecunious' describe?

impetuous

Definition:

Characterized by undue haste and lack of thought.

Example:

What does 'impetuous' describe?

impinge

Definition:

To infringe upon.

Example:

What does it mean to 'impinge'?

impute

Definition:

To attribute or credit to.

Example:

What does it mean to 'impute' something?

inane

Definition:

Devoid of intelligence.

Example:

What does 'inane' describe?

inchoate

Definition:

Only partly in existence; imperfectly formed.

Example:

What does 'inchoate' describe?

incontrovertible

Definition:

Impossible to deny or disprove.

Example:

What does 'incontrovertible' mean?

incumbent

Definition:

Necessary as a duty or responsibility; morally binding.

Example:

What does 'incumbent' mean in terms of duty?

inexorable

Definition:

Impossible to prevent, resist, or stop.

Example:

What does 'inexorable' mean?

inimical

Definition:

Tending to obstruct or cause harm.

Example:

What does 'inimical' tend to do?

injunction

Definition:

A judicial remedy to prohibit a party from doing something.

Example:

What is an 'injunction'?

inoculate

Definition:

To inject or treat with the germ of a disease to render immune.

Example:

What does it mean to 'inoculate'?

insidious

Definition:

Working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way.

Example:

What does 'insidious' describe?

instigate

Definition:

To provoke or stir up.

Example:

What does it mean to 'instigate' something?

insurgent

Definition:

In opposition to a civil authority or government.

Example:

What is an 'insurgent'?

interlocutor

Definition:

A person who takes part in a conversation.

Example:

What is an 'interlocutor'?

intimation

Definition:

A slight suggestion or vague understanding.

Example:

What is an 'intimation'?

inure

Definition:

To cause to accept or become hardened to.

Example:

What does it mean to 'inure'?

invective

Definition:

Abusive language used to express blame or censure.

Example:

What is 'invective'?

intransigent

Definition:

Impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason.

Example:

What does 'intransigent' mean?

inveterate

Definition:

Habitual.

Example:

What does 'inveterate' describe?

irreverence

Definition:

A mental attitude showing a lack of due respect.

Example:

What is 'irreverence'?

knell

Definition:

The sound of a bell rung slowly to announce a death.

Example:

What is a 'knell'?

laconic

Definition:

Brief and to the point.

Example:

What does 'laconic' describe?

largesse

Definition:

Liberality in bestowing gifts.

Example:

What is 'largesse'?

legerdemain

Definition:

An illusory feat.

Example:

What is 'legerdemain'?

libertarian

Definition:

An advocate of freedom of thought and speech.

Example:

What is a 'libertarian'?

licentious

Definition:

Lacking moral discipline.

Example:

What does 'licentious' describe?

linchpin

Definition:

A central cohesive source of support and stability.

Example:

What is a 'linchpin'?

litigant

Definition:

A party to a lawsuit.

Example:

What is a 'litigant'?

maelstrom

Definition:

A powerful circular current of water.

Example:

What is a 'maelstrom'?

maudlin

Definition:

Very sentimental or emotional.

Example:

What does 'maudlin' describe?

maverick

Definition:

Someone who exhibits independence in thought and action.

Example:

What is a 'maverick'?

mawkish

Definition:

Very sentimental or emotional.

Example:

What does 'mawkish' describe?

maxim

Definition:

A saying that is widely accepted on its own merits.

Example:

What is a 'maxim'?

mendacious

Definition:

Given to lying.

Example:

What does 'mendacious' describe?

modicum

Definition:

A small or moderate or token amount.

Example:

What is a 'modicum'?

morass

Definition:

A soft wet area of low-lying land that sinks underfoot.

Example:

What is a 'morass'?

mores

Definition:

The conventions embodying the fundamental values of a group.

Example:

What are 'mores'?

munificent

Definition:

Very generous.

Example:

What does 'munificent' describe?

multifarious

Definition:

Having many aspects.

Example:

What does 'multifarious' describe?

nadir

Definition:

The lowest point of anything.

Example:

What is the 'nadir'?

negligent

Definition:

Characterized by undue lack of attention or concern.

Example:

What does 'negligent' describe?

neophyte

Definition:

A participant with no experience with an activity.

Example:

What is a 'neophyte'?

noisome

Definition:

Offensively malodorous.

Example:

What does 'noisome' describe?

noxious

Definition:

Injurious to physical or mental health.

Example:

What does 'noxious' describe?

obdurate

Definition:

Stubbornly persistent in wrongdoing.

Example:

What does 'obdurate' describe?

obfuscate

Definition:

To make obscure or unclear.

Example:

What does it mean to 'obfuscate' something?

obstreperous

Definition:

Noisily and stubbornly defiant.

Example:

What does 'obstreperous' describe?

officious

Definition:

Intrusive in a meddling or offensive manner.

Example:

What does 'officious' describe?

onerous

Definition:

Burdensome or difficult to endure.

Example:

What does 'onerous' describe?

ostensible

Definition:

Appearing as such but not necessarily so.

Example:

What does 'ostensible' imply?

ostracism

Definition:

The act of excluding someone from society by general consent.

Example:

What is 'ostracism'?

palliate

Definition:

To lessen or to try to lessen the seriousness or extent of.

Example:

What does it mean to 'palliate' something?

panacea

Definition:

A hypothetical remedy for all ills or diseases.

Example:

What is a 'panacea'?

paradigm

Definition:

A standard or typical example.

Example:

What is a 'paradigm'?

pariah

Definition:

A person who is rejected from society or home.

Example:

What is a 'pariah'?

partisan

Definition:

A fervent and even militant proponent of something.

Example:

What is a 'partisan'?

paucity

Definition:

An insufficient quantity or number.

Example:

What is 'paucity'?

pejorative

Definition:

Expressing disapproval.

Example:

What does 'pejorative' express?

pellucid

Definition:

Transparently clear; easily understandable.

Example:

What does 'pellucid' describe?

penchant

Definition:

A strong liking or preference.

Example:

What is a 'penchant'?

penurious

Definition:

Excessively unwilling to spend.

Example:

What does 'penurious' describe?

pert

Definition:

Characterized by a lightly saucy or impudent quality.

Example:

What quality does 'pert' describe?

pernicious

Definition:

Exceedingly harmful.

Example:

What does 'pernicious' describe?

pertinacious

Definition:

Stubbornly unyielding.

Example:

What does 'pertinacious' describe?

phlegmatic

Definition:

Showing little emotion.

Example:

What does 'phlegmatic' describe?

philanthropic

Definition:

Of or relating to charitable giving.

Example:

What does 'philanthropic' relate to?

pithy

Definition:

Concise and full of meaning.

Example:

What does 'pithy' describe?

platitude

Definition:

A trite or obvious remark.

Example:

What is a 'platitude'?

plaudit

Definition:

Enthusiastic approval.

Example:

What is a 'plaudit'?

plenitude

Definition:

A full supply.

Example:

What is 'plenitude'?

plethora

Definition:

Extreme excess.

Example:

What is a 'plethora'?

portent

Definition:

A sign of something about to happen.

Example:

What is a 'portent'?

potentate

Definition:

A powerful ruler, especially one who is unconstrained by law.

Example:

What is a 'potentate'?

preclude

Definition:

To make impossible, especially beforehand.

Example:

What does it mean to 'preclude' something?

predilection

Definition:

A predisposition in favor of something.

Example:

What is a 'predilection'?

preponderance

Definition:

Exceeding in heaviness; having greater weight.

Example:

What does 'preponderance' mean in terms of weight or degree?

presage

Definition:

A foreboding about what is about to happen.

Example:

What is a 'presage'?

probity

Definition:

Complete and confirmed integrity.

Example:

What is 'probity'?

proclivity

Definition:

A natural inclination.

Example:

What is a 'proclivity'?

profligate

Definition:

Unrestrained by convention or morality.

Example:

What does 'profligate' describe?

promulgate

Definition:

To state or announce.

Example:

What does it mean to 'promulgate' something?

proscribe

Definition:

To command against.

Example:

What does it mean to 'proscribe' something?

protean

Definition:

Taking on different forms.

Example:

What does 'protean' describe?

prurient

Definition:

Characterized by lust.

Example:

What does 'prurient' describe?

puerile

Definition:

Displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity.

Example:

What does 'puerile' describe?

pugnacious

Definition:

Ready and able to resort to force or violence.

Example:

What does 'pugnacious' describe?

pulchritude

Definition:

Physical beauty, especially of a woman.

Example:

What is 'pulchritude'?

punctilious

Definition:

Marked by precise accordance with details.

Example:

What does 'punctilious' describe?

quaint

Definition:

Attractively old-fashioned.

Example:

What does 'quaint' describe?

quixotic

Definition:

Not sensible about practical matters.

Example:

What does 'quixotic' describe?

quandary

Definition:

State of uncertainty in a choice between unfavorable options.

Example:

What is a 'quandary'?

recalcitrant

Definition:

Stubbornly resistant to authority or control.

Example:

What does 'recalcitrant' describe?

redoubtable

Definition:

Inspiring fear.

Example:

What does 'redoubtable' describe?

relegate

Definition:

To assign to a lower position.

Example:

What does it mean to 'relegate' someone or something?

remiss

Definition:

Failing in what duty requires.

Example:

What does 'remiss' mean in terms of duty?

reprieve

Definition:

Postpone the punishment of a convicted criminal.

Example:

What is a 'reprieve'?

reprobate

Definition:

A person without moral scruples.

Example:

What is a 'reprobate'?

rescind

Definition:

To cancel officially.

Example:

What does it mean to 'rescind' something?

requisition

Definition:

An authoritative demand.

Example:

What is a 'requisition'?

rife

Definition:

Excessively abundant.

Example:

What does 'rife' mean?

sanctimonious

Definition:

Excessively or hypocritically pious.

Example:

What does 'sanctimonious' describe?

sanguine

Definition:

Confidently optimistic and cheerful.

Example:

What does 'sanguine' describe?

scurrilous

Definition:

Expressing offensive, insulting, or scandalous criticism.

Example:

What does 'scurrilous' describe?

semaphore

Definition:

An apparatus for visual signaling.

Example:

What is a 'semaphore'?

serendipity

Definition:

Good luck in making unexpected and fortunate discoveries.

Example:

What is 'serendipity'?

sobriety

Definition:

The state of being unaffected or not intoxicated by alcohol.

Example:

What is 'sobriety'?

solicitous

Definition:

Full of anxiety and concern.

Example:

What does 'solicitous' describe?

solipsism

Definition:

The philosophical theory that the self is all that exists.

Example:

What is 'solipsism'?

spurious

Definition:

Plausible but false.

Example:

What does 'spurious' describe?

staid

Definition:

Characterized by dignity and propriety.

Example:

What does 'staid' describe?

stolid

Definition:

Having or revealing little emotion or sensibility.

Example:

What does 'stolid' describe?

subjugate

Definition:

To make subservient; force to submit or subdue.

Example:

What does it mean to 'subjugate' someone or something?

surfeit

Definition:

To indulge (one's appetite) to satiety.

Example:

What does it mean to 'surfeit'?

surreptitious

Definition:

Marked by quiet and caution and secrecy.

Example:

What does 'surreptitious' describe?

swarthy

Definition:

Naturally having skin of a dark color.

Example:

What does 'swarthy' describe?

tangential

Definition:

Of superficial relevance if any.

Example:

What does 'tangential' mean in terms of relevance?

tome

Definition:

A large and scholarly book.

Example:

What is a 'tome'?

toady

Definition:

A person who tries to please someone to gain an advantage.

Example:

What is a 'toady'?

torpid

Definition:

In a condition of biological rest or suspended animation.

Example:

What does 'torpid' describe?

travesty

Definition:

A composition that imitates or misrepresents a style.

Example:

What is a 'travesty'?

trenchant

Definition:

Having keenness and forcefulness and penetration in thought.

Example:

What does 'trenchant' describe?

trite

Definition:

Repeated too often; overfamiliar through overuse.

Example:

What does 'trite' describe?

truculent

Definition:

Defiantly aggressive.

Example:

What does 'truculent' describe?

turpitude

Definition:

A corrupt or depraved or degenerate act or practice.

Example:

What is 'turpitude'?

ubiquitous

Definition:

Being present everywhere at once.

Example:

What does 'ubiquitous' describe?

umbrage

Definition:

A feeling of anger caused by being offended.

Example:

What is 'umbrage'?

upbraid

Definition:

To express criticism towards.

Example:

What does it mean to 'upbraid' someone?

utilitarian

Definition:

Having a useful function.

Example:

What does 'utilitarian' focus on?

veracity

Definition:

Unwillingness to tell lies.

Example:

What is 'veracity'?

vestige

Definition:

An indication that something has been present.

Example:

What is a 'vestige'?

vicissitude

Definition:

A variation in circumstances or fortune.

Example:

What is a 'vicissitude'?

vilify

Definition:

To spread negative information about.

Example:

What does it mean to 'vilify' someone?

virtuoso

Definition:

Someone who is dazzlingly skilled in any field.

Example:

What is a 'virtuoso'?

vitriolic

Definition:

Harsh, bitter, or malicious in tone.

Example:

What does 'vitriolic' describe?

vituperate

Definition:

To spread negative information about.

Example:

What does it mean to 'vituperate' someone?

vociferous

Definition:

Conspicuously and offensively loud.

Example:

What does 'vociferous' describe?

wanton

Definition:

A lewd or immoral person.

Example:

What is a 'wanton'?

winsome

Definition:

Charming in a childlike or naive way.

Example:

What does 'winsome' describe?

yoke

Definition:

Join with stable gear, as two draft animals.

Example:

What is a 'yoke'?

zephyr

Definition:

A slight wind.

Example:

What is a 'zephyr'?

wily

Definition:

Marked by skill in deception.

Example:

What does 'wily' describe?

tirade

Definition:

A speech of violent denunciation.

Example:

What is a 'tirade'?

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