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Being of the most miserable kind; wretched: abject poverty
Born in Dublin in 1944, she endured a childhood marred by her father's alcoholism, her mother's illnesses and abject poverty. |
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To act or be counter to; violate
He made the basic decisions to contravene policies established by law and by his own commitments. |
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Impossible to remove, erase, or wash away; permanent
His memory was indelible. |
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A show, pretense, or display.
The affectation for authenticity that reviewers flattered themselves for wanting does not stand above the character on the screen. |
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extremely or impassable steep
The hill was extremely precipitous. |
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extremely liberal and generous of spirit
Don't slag the students who insulted you, show magnanimity. |
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the quality of being discerning, sound in judgement, and farsighted; wisdom
Anand's sagacity far surpasses all his peer's sagacity. |
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To determine the limits of; define
The fence circumscribed the borders of his garden. |
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Bitter and sharp in language or tone
The race became increasingly acrimonious as the primary election neared. |
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To settle (oneself) securely or comfortably
The child was ensconced in his booster seat. |
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to agree or consent
All the students acquiesce to the school rules. |
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steadfast or firm, as in one's beliefs
The staunch teacher used her strict methods to teach her students. |
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excessively critical or demanding; difficult to please
My teacher was extremely strict and fastidious. |
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lacking in wholesome vigor; decadent
How hopelessly effete and elitist an intellectual approach becomes in such a setting. |
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not following any one system, as of philosophy, medicine, etc., but selecting and using what are considered to be the best elements of all systems
Brandon has an eclectic taste in music. |
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To luxuriate; revel
Tom wallowed after he got an A on his test. |
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strong enough to resist or withstand attack; not to be taken by force, unconquerable
The fortress was impregnable. |
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gruesome and horrifying; ghastly; horrible
At the crime scene pages of instructions spelled out a macabre scavenger hunt. |
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showing or implying a usually patronizing descent from dignity or superiority
He spoke down to his peers with a condescending tone. |
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wildly fanciful; highly unrealistic
Unicorns are chimerical creatures. |
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the elevation or exaltation of a person to the rank of a god
He would be no ordinary king: he would be a savior king, the apotheosis of all kingly, godly qualities. |
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using few words; expressing much in few words; concise
His laconic speaking got straight to the point. |
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sweetly or smoothly flowing; sweet-sounding
The flute had a mellifluous tone. |
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characterized by trembling, as from fear, nervousness, or weakness
His tremulous behaviors rose as the bear crept forward. |
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deserving of reproof, rebuke, or censure; blameworthy
He was reprehensible for the terrible crimes. |
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dour, stern, and silent in expression and manner
His taciturn personality made others not notice him. |
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sincere penitence or remose
He had great contrition for the loss of his mother. |
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radiating or reflecting light; shining; bright
The lights were luminous. |
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not meant to be taken seriously or literally
His facetiousness drove others to never believe what he said. |
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To make evil, harmful, and often untrue statements about; speak evil of
Politicians often malign others. |
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severe in manner or appearance; uncomprimising; strict; forbidding
His austere appearance drove others away. |
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cleverly skillful, resourceful, or ingenious
The adroit student used whatever he could find to complete his project. |
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willing to believe or trust too readily, esp. without proper or adequate evidence; gullible
He was so credulous that he believed that gullible was written on the ceiling. |
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commonplace or dull; matter-of-fact or unimaginative
He was so prosaic that everyone fell asleep during his speech. |
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lacking food, clothing, and other necessities of life because of poverty; needy; poor; impoverished
The hobo was indigent. |
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desolate or dreary; unhappy or miserable, as in feeling, condition, or appearance
His forlorn look drove people to believe he was depressed. |
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sly; shifty
His furtive behavior made the teacher watch him closely. |
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to penetrate to the truth of; comprehend; understand
He couldn't fathom the equation. |
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deprived
He was bereft from his rights. |
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the act of being tenacious (holding fast; characterized by keeping a firm hold)
His tenacity allowed him to keep pushing forward. |
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to give a concrete form to; express, personify, or exemplify in concrete form
Its casually dressed cabin crews embody the airline's super-friendly approach. |
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exceptional or superior ability, skill, or strength
The leaders prowess kept him in the from of the pack. |
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to repay; remunerate; reward, as for service
His recompense helped pay off his debt. |
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promising success; propitious; opportune; favorable
The auspicious opportunities were taken by all the the top students. |
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bending readily; pliant; limber; supple; flexible
The rubber was lithe. |
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faultless; flawless; irreproachable
His grammar was impeccable. |
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pleasantly calm or peaceful; unruffled; tranquil; serenely quiet or undisturbed
The home by the mountainside was extremely placid. |
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strong displeasure at something considered unjust, offensive, insulting, or base; righteous anger
His indignation toward racism was strong. |
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to clear, as from an accusation, imputation, suspicion, or the like
He was vindicated from all charges. |
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lacking in vitality or interest
These are not pallid remakes but vintage programs recorded from original broadcasts. |
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