EPHEMERAL	fleeting (lasting only a very short time)
EQUIVOCATE	hedge (to speak vaguely to avoid giving a clear answer)
TREPIDATION	dread (nervous fear about something that is coming)
LACONIC	brief (using very few words)
OBSEQUIOUS	fawning (too eager to please or obey others)
ABATE	lessen (to become less strong or intense)
ACUMEN	insight (skill at making quick, smart judgments)
PRAGMATIC	practical (focused on what is practical and actually works)
AMBIGUOUS	unclear (able to be understood in more than one way)
ABDICATE	resign (to give up a throne or a responsibility)
AMBIVALENT	undecided (having mixed feelings about something)
ADAGE	saying (an old, well-known saying)
ACQUIESCE	agree (to agree or give in without protest)
AUDACIOUS	bold (boldly daring and willing to take big risks)
AUSTERE	plain (plain and severe, without comfort or decoration)
ALACRITY	eagerness (cheerful eagerness and quickness)
AMELIORATE	improve (to make a bad situation better)
BANAL	commonplace (dull and ordinary, lacking anything fresh)
CANTANKEROUS	grouchy (grumpy and quick to argue)
ANOMALY	oddity (something that differs from what is normal)
ASCERTAIN	determine (to find out for certain)
CAPRICIOUS	fickle (changing suddenly and without any good reason)
CLANDESTINE	secret (done in secret, often to hide something)
ASSUAGE	ease (to ease or calm a painful feeling)
ANTIPATHY	dislike (a strong feeling of dislike)
COGENT	convincing (clear, logical, and convincing)
CONDESCENDING	patronizing (acting as if others are less intelligent)
BELITTLE	put down (to make someone or something seem unimportant)
APLOMB	poise (calm confidence, especially under pressure)
CURSORY	hasty (quick and not thorough)
BUTTRESS	strengthen (to support or strengthen)
DOGMATIC	opinionated (insisting one's beliefs are right beyond question)
ECLECTIC	varied (drawn from many different sources or styles)
ARTIFICE	trickery (clever trickery meant to fool people)
CAJOLE	coax (to persuade with flattery or gentle urging)
EGREGIOUS	outrageous (shockingly bad)
ERUDITE	scholarly (having great knowledge gained from study)
AVARICE	greed (extreme greed for wealth)
CAPITULATE	surrender (to stop resisting and give in)
ESOTERIC	obscure (understood by only a small, specialized group)
EXORBITANT	excessive (far more than is reasonable, especially in price)
CASTIGATE	scold (to criticize or scold harshly)
BANE	curse (a cause of constant trouble or misery)
EXTRANEOUS	irrelevant (not related to the main subject)
FASTIDIOUS	fussy (very careful about details and cleanliness)
CIRCUMVENT	bypass (to find a way around a rule or obstacle)
BREVITY	shortness (the quality of being short)
FORTUITOUS	lucky (happening by lucky chance)
GRATUITOUS	uncalled-for (unnecessary and without good reason)
COALESCE	merge (to come together to form one whole)
HACKNEYED	overused (used so often it has lost its freshness)
CACOPHONY	racket (a harsh, jarring mix of loud sounds)
CONDONE	excuse (to accept or allow behavior that is wrong)
IMPASSIVE	expressionless (showing no emotion)
IMPERVIOUS	resistant (unable to be affected or passed through)
CATHARSIS	release (a release of strong emotion that brings relief)
CORROBORATE	confirm (to confirm with additional evidence)
INCONGRUOUS	mismatched (out of place; not fitting its surroundings)
INDOLENT	lazy (lazy and avoiding effort)
CHARLATAN	fraud (a person who falsely claims special skill)
DEBUNK	disprove (to show that a claim is false)
INNOCUOUS	harmless (harmless; not likely to hurt or offend)
INSIPID	bland (lacking flavor or interest)
DECRY	criticize (to criticize openly as wrong)
CLEMENCY	mercy (mercy shown when deciding a punishment)
INTRANSIGENT	stubborn (refusing to change one's position)
IRASCIBLE	irritable (easily made angry)
DELINEATE	outline (to describe or mark out precisely)
CONUNDRUM	puzzle (a confusing and difficult problem)
LOQUACIOUS	talkative (very talkative)
DENOUNCE	condemn (to declare publicly that something is wrong)
MAGNANIMOUS	generous (generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival)
MALEVOLENT	evil (wishing harm to others)
CREDENCE	belief (belief that something is true)
DERIDE	mock (to mock with scorn)
MERCURIAL	moody (changing mood quickly and unpredictably)
NEFARIOUS	wicked (wicked or villainous)
CRITERION	standard (a standard used for judging something)
DISPARAGE	badmouth (to speak of as having little worth)
OBLIQUE	indirect (indirect; not stated openly)
OPAQUE	cloudy (not letting light pass through)
DISSEMINATE	spread (to spread information widely)
DEBACLE	disaster (a sudden and embarrassing failure)
OSTENTATIOUS	showy (showy and meant to impress others)
PEDANTIC	nitpicking (too concerned with minor rules and details)
ENGENDER	produce (to cause or give rise to)
DEARTH	shortage (a lack or shortage)
PERFUNCTORY	halfhearted (done only out of duty, with little care)
PERNICIOUS	harmful (harmful in a gradual or hidden way)
EXACERBATE	worsen (to make a problem worse)
POIGNANT	touching (deeply moving, often in a sad way)
DECORUM	manners (proper and polite behavior)
EXONERATE	clear (to clear someone of blame)
PRODIGIOUS	enormous (remarkably great in size or amount)
PROFLIGATE	wasteful (recklessly wasteful, especially with money)
DEFERENCE	respect (polite respect for another's wishes or judgment)
EXTOL	praise (to praise with great enthusiasm)
PROSAIC	ordinary (ordinary and lacking imagination)
PROVINCIAL	narrow-minded (narrow-minded because of limited experience)
DEMAGOGUE	agitator (a leader who stirs up emotions instead of reason)
EXTRICATE	free (to free from a difficult situation)
PUGNACIOUS	combative (eager to argue or fight)
QUERULOUS	whiny (complaining in a whiny way)
FATHOM	grasp (to understand something difficult)
DIATRIBE	rant (a bitter, angry speech of criticism)
RECALCITRANT	defiant (stubbornly refusing to obey or cooperate)
RETICENT	reserved (unwilling to share thoughts or feelings)
FEIGN	fake (to pretend to feel or have)
DICHOTOMY	split (a sharp division into two opposing parts)
SAGACIOUS	wise (wise and showing good judgment)
FOMENT	stir up (to stir up trouble or unrest)
SALIENT	notable (most noticeable or important)
SANGUINE	optimistic (cheerfully hopeful)
DILETTANTE	dabbler (someone who dabbles in a subject without serious study)
FORESTALL	prevent (to prevent by acting ahead of time)
SCRUPULOUS	principled (very careful to be honest and correct)
SPORADIC	occasional (happening now and then, at irregular times)
DUPLICITY	deceit (dishonest behavior that deceives others)
GALVANIZE	motivate (to shock or excite into action)
SPURIOUS	false (false or fake, though seeming genuine)
STAID	stuffy (serious, proper, and unadventurous)
HARANGUE	lecture (to lecture someone forcefully and at length)
ENMITY	hostility (deep and lasting hostility)
STOIC	uncomplaining (enduring hardship without complaining)
STRIDENT	harsh (loud, harsh, and grating)
IMPUGN	question (to question someone's honesty or motives)
EPIPHANY	realization (a sudden moment of understanding)
SUBLIME	glorious (so beautiful or excellent it inspires awe)
SUPERFLUOUS	extra (more than is needed)
INCULCATE	instill (to teach by constant repetition)
SURREPTITIOUS	sneaky (done secretly to avoid being noticed)
EPITOME	model (a perfect example of a quality or type)
INGRATIATE	flatter (to win favor by trying hard to please)
TACITURN	quiet (habitually quiet and saying little)
TENUOUS	flimsy (very weak or slight)
EQUANIMITY	composure (calmness and an even temper, even under stress)
INUNDATE	flood (to overwhelm with a huge amount)
TRANSIENT	temporary (lasting only briefly; passing through)
UBIQUITOUS	widespread (found everywhere)
EUPHEMISM	polite term (a mild word that replaces a harsh one)
JETTISON	discard (to throw away or discard)
URBANE	refined (polished, polite, and sophisticated)
VACUOUS	empty (empty of ideas or intelligence)
MALIGN	slander (to say false, harmful things about)
FORTITUDE	courage (courage and strength in facing hardship)
VENERABLE	respected (respected because of age, wisdom, or character)
VIRULENT	severe (extremely severe, harmful, or hostile)
MITIGATE	reduce (to make less severe or harmful)
HUBRIS	arrogance (excessive pride or self-confidence)
VOCIFEROUS	vocal (loudly and forcefully expressing opinions)
MOLLIFY	soothe (to calm someone's anger)
ABJECT	miserable (extremely miserable and hopeless)
ACRIMONIOUS	bitter (bitter and angry in tone)
HYPERBOLE	exaggeration (extreme exaggeration not meant to be taken literally)
NEGATE	cancel (to cancel the effect of)
ADROIT	skillful (skillful and clever, especially with hands or mind)
AFFABLE	friendly (friendly and easy to talk to)
IMPETUS	motivation (a force that drives someone to act)
OBFUSCATE	confuse (to make something unclear on purpose)
ALTRUISTIC	selfless (unselfishly concerned for others)
ARBITRARY	random (based on chance or whim, not reason)
OSTRACIZE	exclude (to exclude someone from a group)
IMPUNITY	immunity (freedom from punishment or consequences)
ASCETIC	self-denying (giving up comforts and pleasures for discipline)
ASSIDUOUS	diligent (showing steady, careful effort)
PLACATE	calm (to calm someone by making concessions)
INNUENDO	hint (an indirect hint, usually something negative)
AUSPICIOUS	promising (showing signs of future success)
BOMBASTIC	pompous (full of showy, puffed-up language)
PRECLUDE	prevent (to make impossible in advance)
CAUSTIC	biting (bitterly harsh or able to burn chemically)
JUXTAPOSITION	contrast (placing two things side by side to compare)
PROLIFERATE	multiply (to increase rapidly in number)
CIRCUMSPECT	cautious (careful to consider risks before acting)
CONTENTIOUS	controversial (likely to cause arguments)
LEVITY	humor (lighthearted humor, especially at a serious time)
PROPAGATE	spread (to spread or reproduce widely)
CULPABLE	guilty (deserving blame for wrongdoing)
DIDACTIC	instructive (intended to teach, often in a preachy way)
MALAISE	unease (a vague feeling of unease or low energy)
RECANT	retract (to publicly take back an earlier statement)
DIFFIDENT	shy (lacking self-confidence; shy)
DISPARATE	different (very different; not alike at all)
RELEGATE	demote (to move to a lower, less important position)
MAVERICK	rebel (an independent person who refuses to conform)
EBULLIENT	cheerful (bubbling over with cheerful excitement)
EFFUSIVE	gushing (expressing feelings in an overflowing, gushing way)
RENEGE	back out (to go back on a promise)
MISNOMER	wrong name (a name that describes something wrongly)
EQUITABLE	fair (fair and equal to everyone involved)
REPUDIATE	reject (to reject completely and refuse to accept)
FACETIOUS	joking (joking at an inappropriate or serious moment)
FLIPPANT	careless (lacking respect or seriousness; casually disrespectful)
MODICUM	bit (a small amount)
RESCIND	cancel (to cancel or officially take back)
GARRULOUS	talkative (excessively talkative, especially about trivial things)
IDIOSYNCRATIC	quirky (peculiar to one person; quirky)
NUANCE	subtlety (a subtle difference in meaning or tone)
RUMINATE	ponder (to think deeply and at length)
IMPERIOUS	bossy (bossy and arrogant, expecting to be obeyed)
