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(adj) well-spoken; expressive
The author of the book sounded _____ when he read his work, but he mumbled and stuttereed during the Q & A session.
articulate, persuasive, fluent |
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(adj) aoothing, especially to the skin; making less harsh
The ____ properties of aloe make it a popular additive to moisturizers.
softening |
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(adj)based on observation or experiment
The researchers spent four years gathering ____ data for their study on onsessive-compulsive behaviors.
observed |
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(n) glowing and enthusiastic praise
The young actress received ________d from theatre critics for her stunning debut.
tribute |
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(adj) characteristic of or often found in a particular locality, region, or people
The destruction of plant and animal habitats is ______ to population growth.
native, indigenous |
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(v) to weaken; to reduce in vitality
Working a double shift at the restaurant _______d me.
debilitate, sap |
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(v) to cause; to give rise to
The president's policices have ______ed arguments within the party.
propogate |
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(adj) mysterious; obscure; difficult to understand
Historians have long debated the meaning of Mona Lisa's ________ smile.
cryptic |
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(n) dissatisfaction or restlessness resulting from boredom or apathy
At least a dozen students became victims of _____ during the torturous economics lecture.
boredom, languor, tedium |
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(n) excessive wickedness; evil
Genocide is such an _____ that one wonders if its perpetrators are as human as you or I.
outrage |
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(adj) fleeting; short-lived
The bump to his ego lasted far longer than his ______ brush with fame.
brief |
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(n) one devoted to sensual pleasure, particularly food and drink.
Always trust an _______'s restaurant recommendations.
gourmet |
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(adj) loosely connected; sporadic
The comic's ____ narrative was entertaining, though hard to follow.
occassional |
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(n) disparaging or descriptive word or phrase
An old man yelled ________s at the kids who were vanadalizing a wall.
Slur |
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(n) embodiment or quintessence
He's teh ____ of a used-car salesman: slicked-back hair, toothy smile, and unctuous manner.
representation |
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| (adj) excessively or ingratiatingly flattering; oily |
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(n) composure; self-possession
My mother took the news of the stolen car with suprising ______.
calmness |
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(v) to use ambiguous language with a deceptive intent
When asked by employees about cuts to benefits, the CEO _____d and steered the discussion to a different topic.
prevaricate, vacillate, quibble |
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(v) speak or act in an evasive way
He ________d the journalists when asked a lot of questions.
evade, equivocate |
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(adj) wandering; straying
No amoung of hair gel can tame the ______ strands at the top of my head. |
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(adj) learned
Social policy advocates, political strategists, and economoists often call on the ____ professor for advice.
Scholarly |
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(v) to avoid
In order to reduce his cholesterol, my father must ___ foods high in saturated fat and sodium.
shun |
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(adj) intended for or understood by a small, specific group
Janice's thesis on desconstructing syntax and meter of Old Norse poetry is _______.
obscure |
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(adj) worthy; formidable
All great heroes, in order to be great heroes, must have equally estimable foes.
admirable |
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(adj) tending to disappear like vapor; vanishing
Despite the _______ nature of fashion, the classic look of blue jeans and a T-shirt will never go out of style.
ephemeral |
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(v) to show clearly
I told the bully I was not afraid, byt my knocking knees ____d otherwise.
manifest |
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(v) to make worse or more severe
Scratching an insect bite will only ______ the itch.
aggravate, intensify |
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(v) to censure scathingly
The radio host _______d the caller for defending the unpopular politician.
upbraid |
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(v)to exonerate; to clear of blame
It took centuries for the church to officially ____ Galileo for stating that the Earth revolved around the Sun.
absolve, padron, acquit |
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(n) critical examination; exlication
The ____ of the ancient Rosetta Stone has contributed much to our understanding of hieroglyphic writing.
interpretation |
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(n) typical or standard specimen; model
"Candy Girl" is an _____ of the Jackson 5's best work.
archetype |
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(adj) urgent; pressing; requiring immediate action or attention
I've already missed two payments, so writing a check to the gas company is my most ____ priority.
crucial, dire, imperative |
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(n) patience; willingness to wait
His _______ in not replying to the extremely sarcastic waiter was commendable.
tolerance |
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(v) to incite; to rouse
Elvis' rock music was said to _____ impure thoughts and rebelliousness in his young audience.
instigate |
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(v) to demonstrate contempt for, as in a rule or convention
Fabio _______ the class rules by speaking out of turn and interrupting students.
defy |
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(adj) flowery; ornate; ruddy
The lyrics to the song were positively _____; every other word was about hearts and love.
flowery |
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(n) an ornamental work, especially of delicate, lace-like patterns
I appreciate teh work that goes into making _____ jewelry, but I prefer a simpler modern style.
ornamentation |
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(v) to shackle; to put in chains
My understanding of the argument was ______ed by my lack of fluency in the language.
restrain |
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(adj) stinking; smelly
I needed gloves, bleach, and a mask to clean the ____ refrigerator.
maladorous |
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(adj) greatly emotional or zealous
Fred sent a _____ letter to his senator expressing his strong opposition to the bill.
ardent |
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(adj) apt; suitably expressed; well chosen
The _____ arrival of the pizza pu tmy grumbling stomach at ease.
appropriate |
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(adj) ineffectual; irresponsible
The ______ chief inspector always solved the crime despite his ignorance and uselessness.
incompetent |
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(v)to flatter or praise excessively
the star's fans _____ed over his great new look.
adulate |
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(adj) silly; foolish
Critics claim that ____ reality shows have eroded standards of taste and quality in the public realm.
inane |
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(adj) unseeded; inactive; dormant
My creativity has lain ____ this winter; I haven't written anything in months.
unproductive |
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(n) an invalid or incorrect notion; a mistake belief
Scientists have exposed the ______ that certain cigarettes are safe.
misconception |
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(v) to destroy; to exterminate; to cut out
After their break-up, she _______d his face from every photo in the album.
abolish |
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(v) to remove obscenity; especially from a book
The _____d edition of the story is more suitable for children.
censor |
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(v)to hinder; to avert
In order to ______ his creditorys. Jack put his utility bills on a new credit card, thereby exacerbating the problem.
prevent |
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(v) to renounce; repudiate
I _______ Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and other junk food and promise to maintain a healthier diet.
disavow |
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(v) to remove blame
Velma insists that she did not commit the crime and that DNA evidence will ____ her.
acquit |
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(n) intentional obstruction, especially using prolonged speechmaking to delay legislative action
delay, impediment, hindrance |
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(adj) marked by stealth; covert, surreptitious
Jack shot a ____ glance at the celebrity who sat at the next table.
shifty |
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(n) a semi-sculptural, raised-surface strip of ornamental facade on a building
It is ironic that a ___ depicting the Roman conquest, enslavement, and plundering of Corinth adorns the courthouse.
decorative band |
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(adj) quarrelsome; unruly
What appeared to outsiders as a ____ department was actually an open and democratic team in which all opinions were heard and debated.
irritable |
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(n) noisy quarrel; brawl
The ___ outside of the nightclub caused the manager to call the police.
donnybrook |
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(adj) happening by fortunate accident or chance
It was ___ that I missed the bus and ended up running into an old friend on the street.
lucky |
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(adj) mysterious; obscure; difficult to understand
Historians have long debated the meaning of Mona Lisa's _____ smile.
cryptic |
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(n) the quality of lively or enthusiastic expression of thoughts and feelings
Edna can hardly contain her ____ when she talks about her new puppy.
effervescence |
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(n) boldness; impudence; arrogance
The ___ of the CEOs who insist on bonuses during the recession is not ingratiating them to the public.
presumptuousness |
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Term
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Definition
(n) a semi-sculptural, raised-surface strip of ornamental facade on a building
It is irnoci that a ____ depicting the Roman conquest, enslavement, and plundering of Corinth adorns the courthouse.
decorative band |
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(v) to sink; to fail completely
I had a great business plan and product, but my company _______ed because I couldn't attract investors
stumble |
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