1.

subsume
Subsume means to absorb or include. A successful company might
subsume a failing competitor through a merger, or love may subsume
you in the early stages of a romance.
2. vicious
Vicious is an adjective that means intentionally harmful or nasty. If
you spread vicious rumors about a person, you're telling people
things that will hurt her feelings or ruin her reputation. Cut it out!

3. emancipate
If you emancipate someone, you set them free from something. At the
end of the Civil War, slaves were emancipated and became free men
and women.
4. impede
To impede something is to delay or block its progress or movement.
Carrying six heavy bags will impede your progress if you're trying to
walk across town.
5. stimulate
cause to be alert and energetic
If the economy is starting to stall, the president can't just sit there. He
has to stimulateturn it on, bring it to life, perk it up. You can stimulate
practically anything: a person, a conversation, a mind, or even the
growth of a plant.
6. maim
To maim something is to disfigure it through force or violence.
Wartime battles have a tendency to maim soldiers.

7. dissent
To dissent is to publicly disagree with an official opinion or decision.
Dissent is also a noun referring to public disagreement.
8. defiance
Stand up when the powers that be order you to sit down, and you've
given a fine example of defiance. It happens when someone or a
group of someones openly flouts or challenges authority.
9. subversion
destroying someone's (or some group's) honesty or loyalty;
undermining moral integrity
Subversion means overthrowing something, like a government or law,
or it can mean corrupting someones personal morals, like making a
vegetarian eat chicken by tricking her.
10.
thwart
A villain's worst nightmare is the superhero who always seems to
thwart his efforts, preventing him from carrying out his plans to take
over the world.
11.
contemplation
Contemplation is long, hard thinking about something. If youre writing
a book on the meaning of the universe, then youre going to need to
do a great deal of contemplation.
12.
envisage
Form a mental image of something that is not present or that is not
the case
If you envisage something, you can imagine it, but not necessarily
see it. You can envisage world peace, but it may be harder to
envision it.

13.
compelling
Compelling means attractive, or irresistible, or really, really
convincing. You know your argument for backpacking across Europe
is compelling when your parents not only let you go but also pay for
all your expenses.
14.
relinquish
If you relinquish something, you let it go. You relinquish control of the
army when you resign as general. You relinquish your plan to sneak
into town when your parents find out what's going on.
15.
splendor
The noun splendor refers to something that is magnificent or grand. If
your farewell was held in a luxurious ballroom with elegant decor, you
might note the splendor of the setting.
16.
formidable
adj extremely impressive in strength or excellence
a formidable opponent
the challenge was formidable
17.
vindicate
Vindicate means to justify, prove, or reinforce an idea or to absolve
from guilt. If your family thinks you hogged the last piece of sweets on
Diwali, you'll be vindicated when your younger brother admits it to be
him.
18.
tenacious
Use tenacious to mean "not easily letting go or giving up," like a clingy
child who has a tenacious grip on his mother's hand.
19.
spurious
Something false or inauthentic is spurious. Don't trust spurious ideas
and stories. Spurious statements often are lies, just as a spurious
coin is a counterfeit coin a fake.

20.
sporadic
Sporadic is an adjective that you can use to refer to something that
happens or appears often, but not constantly or regularly. The mail
carrier comes every day but the plumber's visits are sporadiche
comes as needed.
21.
sublime
In common use, sublime is an adjective meaning "awe-inspiringly
grand, excellent, or impressive," like the best chocolate fudge sundae
you've ever had.
the word also functions as a noun meaning "something that strikes
the mind with a sense of grandeur or power"
22.
acumen
If you have acumen, you are very sharp at what you do.
The noun acumen comes from the Latin word acumen, meaning a
point, or sting. If you are able to make pointed decisions, if you
have a sharp intellect, if you make good strategic moves, if you are
successful in your field, or if your business instincts are spot-on, you
have acumen.
23.
astute
Someone who is astute is clever and has good judgment.
Astute (from Latin) is a formal and flattering adjective for someone
with a good head on their shoulders. Other synonyms are perceptive
(emphasizing insight) and discerning (emphasizing an ability to
distinguish).
24.
maven
Whether it's in fashion, or food, or forensic science, someone who
really knows his stuff about a topic is a maven, or a person
particularly skilled in the field.
25.
venerate
To venerate is to worship, adore, be in awe of. You probably don't
venerate your teacher or boss; however, you may act like you do!

26.
hedonist
Your parents might want to visit the museum while you want to hike in
the forest, but your brother, the hedonist, just wants to lounge by the
hotel pool and eat cake. A hedonist values sensual pleasure above all
else.
27.
apercu
An apercu is a brief, clever review or summation of something. If your
synopsis of last week's episode of your favorite TV show is funny and
sharp, you can call it an apercu.
28.
magnanimous
A magnanimous person has a generous spirit. Letting your little sister
have the last of the cookies, even though you hadn't eaten since
breakfast, would be considered a magnanimous act.
29.
avid
Avid usually means very eager or enthusiastic. If you're an avid
reader, it means you read as much as you can, whenever you can.
30.
grandeur
Use the noun grandeur to describe something that is splendid or
magnificent, such as a lofty idea or an impressive building
31.
impertinent
If someone's rude without being openly nasty, like a kid in the back
row of class quietly heckling his teacher, you can call him impertinent.
Impertinent originally meant just what it sounds like, "not pertinent,
irrelevant," but it also came to mean "inappropriate, out of place" and
therefore "intrusive, presumptuous; behaving without proper respect;
insolent.

32.
pernicious
Pernicious means harmful

Pernicious comes from the Latin perniciosus, for destructive, which in

turn comes from pernicies, for death or ruin. You might have heard
your parents and teachers talk about the pernicious effects of
watching too much TV and playing video games all daythey'll turn
your brain to mush
33.
exuberance
Use exuberance to describe joyful enthusiasm and liveliness. You
appreciate the natural exuberance of small children, but you prefer to
enjoy it from a distance.:P
34.
benevolent
Choose the adjective benevolent for someone who does good deeds
or shows goodwill.
Benevolent comes from the Latin bene "well" and volent from the verb
"to wish" so you can imagine that this word brings goodness with it. A
benevolent society is a charity group organized to serve a community
through programs, sponsorships and donations.
35.
brusque
A brusque manner of speaking is unfriendly, rude, and very brief.
" Near synonyms for brusque are curt, short, and gruff. Brusque
(pronounced "brusk") was borrowed from the French word meaning
"lively, fierce," from Italian brusco "coarse, rough."
36.
brazen
. Brazen refers to something shocking, done shamelessly.
a near synonym of brazen is our English word brassy, which has the
additional meaning of being loud and showy.
37.
corroborate
To corroborate is to back someone elses story.
For example, a witness in court corroborates the testimony of others,
and further experimentation can corroborate a scientific theory. Near
synonyms are substantiate and confirm.
Corroborate, originally meaning "to support or strengthen," was

borrowed from Latin corrborre, formed from the prefix cor"completely" plus rborre "to strengthen" (from rbur "strength").
38.
resplendent
Someone or something that is resplendent has great beauty and is a
pleasure to behold. "She was there, at the base of the stairs,
resplendent in her flowing gown and jewels."
39.
flamboyant
Flamboyant means elaborate and ostentatious. When you think of
flamboyant, think of Las Vegas showgirls: feathers, sequins, threeinch heels, enough make-up to disguise any irregularity.
Flamboyant means showy, and though we often roll our eyes at it, it's
not a hateful thing.

40.
mendacity
Mendacity is a tendency to lie. Your friend might swear that he didn't
eat your secret chocolate stash, but you'll find it hard to believe him if
he's known for his mendacity.
41.
emulate
When you emulate someone, you imitate them, especially with the
idea of matching their success.
When someone is impressive because of their great skills, brains,
strength, or accomplishments, other will emulate. To emulate is to
imitate and model yourself after someone.
42.
impute
The verb impute can be used to blame someone for doing something
bad, give credit for good work, or just tell it like it is, like when you
impute your lateness to my not telling you where to meet me.
43.
importune
Sure, to importune is to beg, but use it only when you're talking about

going beyond mere begging into more urgent territory. The woman
importuned the judge to release her innocent brother from jail.
44.
mulct
The meaning of mulct is as nasty as it sounds; it means to fine
someone or the money you collect as a result of a fine. No one wants
to pay an extra mulct to the city, when it's the city who mismanaged
the budget.

45.
rusticate
If you want to move to the countryside especially if you desire a
simple, unsophisticated life there you may explain to people that
you wish to rusticate your busy life.
46.
vegetate
When plants vegetate, they spread. When people vegetate, they
relax. After a long day, if you want to vegetate or exert no effort in
your body or mind, try sitting in front of the TV for hours.
When a person vegetates, he remains completely idle. A person in a
vegetative state is not able to function, only to vegetate or remain
completely inactive.

47.
deprecate
To deprecate is to show disapproval or to make someone feel
unimportant by speaking to them disrespectfully, like seniors who
deprecate younger students just for fun.
48.
scintillate
The verb scintillate means to twinkle or glow, as in a flickering l
Scintillate means to be sparkling and lively. Scintillate has its roots in
the Latin words scintillare, meaning "to sparkle," and scintilla,

meaning "a spark." If you enjoy witty repartee, people may say your
conversation scintillates with humor and they enjoy how you are so
clever.

49.
repartee
Late night talk show hosts are known for being experts at repartee, or
clever conversation, with their celebrity guests.
Repartee comes from the French word repartire which is a fencing
term meaning an answering thrust with a sword. When you are
engaging in repartee, you don't literally stab someone, but you come
back with a quick sharp blow.
50.
patronize
If you patronize a business, you shop there regularly. But if someone
patronizes you, it's not so pleasant they talk to you as if you were
inferior or not very intelligent.
Patronize comes from Latin patronus "protector, master," related to
pater "father." So if you patronize a person, you talk down to them like
a father might do to his child or a master to his apprentice.

51.
gesticulate
When you gesticulate, you make sweeping and excited movements
with your hands when speaking. Someone describing a scary car
accident might gesticulate wildly.
The verb gesticulate is related to the noun gesture.Gesticulate, which
comes from the Latin gesticulus meaning "to mimic," describes
animated movements people make in conversation with and without
words. People who gesticulate could be said to talk with their hands!
52.
recuperate
To recuperate is to get something back that you have lost could be

good health, or money lost in a bad investment. When you

recuperate, you heal and recover.
Recuperate comes from the Latin word recuperare to take back, so
when you recuperate you gain something back that was yours before
health or money. Recuperate is usually something people do after
an illness. If you break your knee playing rugby in college, you might
go home to recuperate.

53.
epicurean
Used as a noun or adjective, epicurean refers to a devotion to
pleasure or refined, sensuous enjoyment, especially of good food and
drink.
epicurean has come to refer to the pursuit of the finer things in life,
and the word has a whole host of great synonyms, including
luxurious, voluptuous, hedonistic, and, as a noun, bon vivant.
54.
jingoism
Jingoism is fanatical, over-the-top patriotism. If you refuse to eat,
read, wear, or discuss anything that wasn't made in your own country,
people might accuse you of jingoism.

55.
bemoan
Some people love to complain, don't they? Complainers also tend to
bemoan things, which can be translated to "Oh no! Why me?"
A more casual expression for bemoan is to moan and groan. If you
step in a puddle and get your shoes wet, you might moan and groan
about, or bemoan, your bad luck to whoever will listen. Just about any
bad or annoying thing can be bemoaned. In fact, people love to
bemoan how much other people are moaning and groaning about
things!

56.
desultory
If you lack a definite plan or purpose and flit from one thing to
another, your actions are desultory. Some people call such desultory
wanderings spontaneous. Others call it "being lost.

57.
queer
Queer originally just meant "weird," but it's unfortunately evolved into
an offensive term for "homosexual."
Like many words, queer has many meanings. One is "odd," as in "I
feel kind of queer today." The other is "gay." Calling someone queer
is a slur:
58.
lackadaisical
it really means is lacking in spirit or liveliness.
A person with a lackadaisical attitude shows no enthusiasm and puts
forth a half-hearted effort. But it's more of a dreamy, laid back
approach rather than sheer laziness.

59.
prudent
Describe an action as prudent if it is the wise thing to do under the
existing circumstances. If you're getting in trouble, it is probably
prudent to keep your mouth closed and just listen.
If you show good and careful judgment when handling practical
matters, you can be described as prudent.
60.
reverence
Reverence is a feeling of deep respect or awe like what you have
for a president, a hero, or a favorite football player.
Reverence can be a feeling of awe, and it can also describe how you
treat someone, particularly when used with the word with. To treat

someone "with reverence" is to show them intense respect. Your

friends may respect you for your loyalty,

61.
surreptitious
When someone behaves in a surreptitious way, they're being
secretive. They're doing something that they don't want to be seen
doing.
62.
rancorous
The adjective rancorous comes in handy when you're describing
someone's bitter grudge, like the attitude of your cousin who still won't
speak to you after the April Fool's Day prank you played four years
ago.

63.
prosaic
Prosaic means ordinary or dull. Most of us lead a prosaic everyday
life, sometimes interrupted by some drama or crisis.
64.
precocious
When you look at the Latin roots of precocious, it all makes sense.
When pre (meaning "before") joins coquere (meaning "to ripen"), you
have something that is ripening prematurely. And in the case of
precocious, you are usually describing young people who have some
adult-like quality about them. Maybe it's their vast vocabulary, maybe
it's their ease with Calculus, or maybe it's just applying lipstick.
65.
perfidious
If someone accuses you of being perfidious, you should probably be
offended it means underhanded, treacherous, deceitful even evil.
If you betray people often, you're perfidious: traitors are extremely

perfidious. Besides betrayal, this word implies lying and maybe other
kinds of awful behavior, like stealing and taking bribes.
66.
opulent
Opulent is a word that you will hear a lot around rich people looking to
show off.
If you want to remember that opulent is a word describing lavish
displays of wealth, you can think of the word opal to help you
remember itopal being a rare gem. And if you are lucky enough to
be able to afford opulence yourself, dont describe it that way. The
word contains connotations of pretentious. And gold leaf cake aside,
who wants that?

67.

lobbyist

Lobbyists get paid to win favor from politicians. For example, oil
companies send lobbyists to Washington to try to make life easier for
oil companies. Sometimes they do it by making a great case for their
cause, but often it involves fancy dinners and golf outings
68.
impassive
Someone who doesn't seem to react who is always "taking a pass"
in the conversation of life can be described as impassive.
69.
vendetta
A vendetta is blood feud, a quest for revenge. A vendetta might
separate families for generations, with members of one family
murdering those of the other, all to satisfy an ancient grudge.
70.
coy
Take the adjective coy for a person who pretends to be shy but really
isn't, or someone who could give a definite answer but won't. Coy
behavior can be playful or just plain annoying.

Originally meaning "quiet and shy," today someone who is coy

pretends to be shy in a playful manner often as a form of flirting.
71.
luster
Something with luster has a certain kind of sheen or shininess, like
the way a new pair of shoes looks right before you step into a pile of
mud.
72.
conformist
A conformist is a person who follows traditional standards of conduct.
If you're a conformist, it's unlikely you'll join a revolution to overthrow
your government; instead you'll argue that it's best to keep things the
way they are.
73.
deleterious
If something is deleterious, it does harm or makes things worse.
Smoking has obvious deleterious effects on your health, not to
mention your social life.
74.
digression
a digression, logically enough, is an idea that goes off in another
direction.
When your essay about French cooking starts describing a childhood
trip to Disneyland, it's taken a digression it's strayed from the main
topic.
75.
demagogue
A demagogue is someone who becomes a leader largely because of
skills as a speaker or who appeals to emotions and prejudices

76.
extenuating
Partially excusing or justifying
the phrase extenuating circumstances describes the specific reasons
that excuse or justify someone's actions.

77.
fortitude
Fortitude refers to strength in the face of adversity or difficulty.
When someone has fortitude it means that they have emotional
power or reserves and the ability to withstand adversity. People who
have fortitude are described in an admiring way for their courage and
this word comes from the Latin word fortitudo, meaning "strength."

78.
fortuitous
Fortuitous means by chance, like a lucky accident. If you and your
best friend's families happen to go on vacation to the same place at
the same time, thats a fortuitous coincidence!
79.
impetuous
Someone impetuous acts too hastily or carelessly. Hotheaded,
impulsive folks are impetuous.

80.
jubilation
Jubilation is a happy word. Where there is jubilation, there are
laughter, smiles, laughs, joy, and gladness.
81.
parched
Something parched is excessively dry and hot, in extreme need of
water, like a desert, a neglected plant, or your throat after a fivekilometer run.

82.
complacent
Someone who is complacent has become overly content
complacent people may seem pleased with themselves, we are rarely
pleased with them. They are unconcerned by things that should
concern them, and they may neglect their duties.

83.
endowment
natural abilities or qualities
An endowment is a gift. It might be money given to an institution like a
college. Or, an endowment might be a natural gift, say of a physical
attribute or a talent. If you lack the endowment of musical talent, you
could play the tambourine.
84.
pivotal
graduation is a pivotal moment in most people's lives an important
point that signifies a shift in direction.
when something is pivotal, it is central, and everything related to the
topic turns or depends on it.
85.
incorrigible
Someone incorrigible seems to be beyond correcting, improving, or
changing.

86.
impediment
An impediment is anything that slows or blocks progress. It can refer
to a physical thing, like a fallen tree in the road, or something more
intangible,
87.
scruples
Having scruples is kind of like having a conscience: your morals or
scruples cause you to act in ways you think are right.

88.
pillage
To pillage is a term of war that means to take everything of value from

a place that you've conquered, but these days, pillage can be used to
talk about anyone who takes what's not theirs.
89.
sanguine
If you're sanguine about a situation, that means you're optimistic that
everything's going to work out fine.
90.
connivance
If your principal overlooks cheating on standardized tests because it
makes his school look better, he is guilty of connivance, or allowing
an unethical act to take place.
If your siblings conspire to play a prank on you, you could say they
are conniving to trick you. If your mother knew about it, but chose to
allow the act to happen, you'd probably be pretty angry at her
connivance.

91.
amuck
When things go amuck, they are wildly out of control. Someone
running amuck is showing no self-control.
92.
decadence
Whether in reference to chocolate cake for breakfast or wild all-night
parties, decadence means extravagance, luxury, and self-indulgence
with a sense of moral decline.

93.
salient
prominent
If something stands out in a very obvious way, it can be called salient.
It's time to find new friends if the differences between you and your
current friends are becoming more and more salient.

94.
halcyon
idyllically calm and peaceful; suggesting happy tranquility
use the phrase halcyon days to refer idyllically to a calmer, more
peaceful time in their past.

95.
verbose
If you're verbose, you use far more words than you need to. A
verbose book report goes on and on and is packed with long,
complicated words that aren't at all necessary.
96.
verbose
If you're verbose, you use far more words than you need to. A
verbose book report goes on and on and is packed with long,
complicated words that aren't at all necessary.

97.
restrained
Use the adjective restrained to describe something that's kept under
control, such as strong emotion or even physical movement. If you're
angry but you don't want it to show, you might speak in a restrained
manner.
98.
sagacity
If you are wise and prone to evaluating information before making a
decision, you possess sagacity, the trait of solid judgment and
intelligent choices. And if that is indeed the case, then good for you!
We need more sound thinkers.

99.
scrutinize
If you want to examine something closely and go over every single

detail, then you should scrutinize it. Like the way your mom probably
assessed your outfit before you leave the house for school.
100.
substantiate
To substantiate is to give support to a claim.
Substantiate is related to the word substantial, which means "solid."
So, to substantiate a claim is to make it solid or believable. If the
evidence given in support of an argument is weak and unconvincing,
that evidence can be described as insubstantial.

101.
vindictive
It is no fun hanging out with vindictive people, who are forever out to
get back at people they think have hurt them. If you forget to say hello
to them one day in the hall, they will carry a grudge against you into
next week.
102.
nonchalant
If your friend is acting cool, unconcerned or in an indifferent manner,
call him nonchalant
a nonchalant person acts indifferent or uninterested, but really cares
very much.

103.
longevity
Something with longevity has the ability to last for a long time. While
tortoises are not known for their quickness, their longevity is amazing.
104.
intrepid
Intrepid is just a fancy word for describing a person or action that is
bold and brave. Super heroes are intrepid in their struggle for truth,
justice

105.
clairvoyant
If you can predict the future, you may want to keep your clairvoyant
powers to yourself.
106.
camaraderie
Camaraderie is a spirit of good friendship and loyalty among
members of a group. You might not like your job, but still enjoy the
camaraderie of the people you work with.

107.
aesthetic
concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good
taste
The adjective aesthetic comes in handy when the subject at hand is
beauty or the arts.
; if something has "aesthetic value," it has value as a work of art
(even if nobody will pay much for it).
108.
proliferation
a rapid increase in number (especially a rapid increase in the number
of deadly weapons)
Proliferation is a rapid multiplication of parts or the increase in the
number of something. Nuclear proliferation is a rapid increase of
nuclear weapons.
109.
exorbitant
Greatly exceeding bounds of reason
Use the adjective exorbitant when you want to describe something
that is really just too much! You'll often hear people griping about
exorbitant bank fees or exorbitant interest rates.
110.
vague
Not clearly understood or expressed

Lacking clarity or distinctness

Vague comes from the Latin vagus, which means wandering or
rambling. Think of a vagabond, someone who wanders around the
world with only a vague idea of where he's going.

111.
nocturnal
If something is nocturnal, it belongs to or is active at night. That
includes vampires, owls that like to hunt by moonlight, and that
roommate who stays up playing video games until the wee hours of
the morning.
112.
lunatic
A lunatic is someone who is either clinically insane or just acting
really crazy. Someone driving too fast and zigging in and out of traffic
is driving like a lunatic.

113.
valor
Valor is honor plus dignity. Its gallant bravery and strength, especially
on the battlefield or in the face of danger.
114.
sleazy
Something that is sleazy is low and nasty. Its a perfect word to
describe characters like the sleazy door-to-door con men who cheat
old ladies into selling them their jewelry at a deep discount.

115.
alacrity
Someone with alacrity shows cheerful willingness and eager
behavior, like a kid whose mother has told him he can buy anything in
a candy store.

116.
deride
The verb deride means to show a low opinion of someone or
something.
Criticizing something with words is a common way to deride, and
politicians often deride each other in their speeches during election
campaigns.

117.
extol
If you have a crush on a guy who likes your best friend, it can be very
depressing to listen to him extol your friend's virtues, while you just
nod and smile. If you extol something, you praise it very highly.
118.
fractious
If you're prone to picking fights, making snarky comments, and being
frustratingly stubborn, you're fractious.

119.
inane
If something is inane, it's silly or senseless. If you just want to space
out, you won't mind the inane chatter on TV, as long as it's on.
120.
aversion
If you have an aversion to something, you have an intense dislike for
it. Commonly it's food, but you could have an aversion to black and
white movies, driving with the windows open, or taking calls from
salespeople.
121.
eventuality
An eventuality is an event that just might happen in the future
eventuality is just a fancy word for possibility, so to predict all
eventualities means to predict all possibilities, all possible outcomes
of a certain event.