VOCABULARY BUILDER . The top 50 vocabulary words on the exam are: ANOMALY ASSUAGE ENIGMA EQUIVOCAL ERUDITE FERVID LUCID OPAQUE PLACATE PRECIPITATE PRODIGAL ZEAL ABSTAIN ADULTERATE APATHY AUDACIOUS CAPRICIOUS CORROBORATE HOMOGENOUS DESICCATE ENGENDER EPHEMERAL GULLIBLE PEDANT LACONIC LAUDABLE LOQUACIOUS MITIGATE PRAGMATIC PROPRIETY VACILLATE VOLATILE WAVER ADVOCATE ANTIPATHY BOLSTER CACOPHONY DERIDE DISSONANCE ENERVATE EULOGY GARRULOUS INGENUOUS LETHARGIC MALLEABLE MISANTHROPE OBDURATE OSTENTATION PARADOX PHILANTHROPIC PREVARICATE VENERATE 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." [...] .. . 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 . VOCABULARY BUILDER . The top 50 vocabulary words on the exam are: ANOMALY ASSUAGE ENIGMA EQUIVOCAL