1.

iconoclast
someone who attacks cherished ideas or institutions

Jobs is a classic iconoclast, one who aggressively seeks out, attacks, and overthrows
conventional ideas.BusinessWeek (Oct 12, 2010)

2. idealistic
of high moral or intellectual value

Instructors, of all levels, are fundamentally idealistic people, motivated by a passion for helping
the world’s young billions achieve their human potential.Forbes (Jan 24, 2012)

3. ideological
concerned with or suggestive of ideas

What was once an ideological abstraction — “austerity” — will have very real effects on
everyday life for average Americans.Washington Post (Jul 30, 2011)

4. idiom
expression whose meaning cannot be inferred from its words

“Hand down, man down,” he said, repeating a favorite Jackson broadcasting idiom at a news
conference Monday to introduce the Warriors’ rookies for next season.New York Times (Jun
29, 2011)

5. idiosyncrasy
a behavioral attribute peculiar to an individual
My roles in independent films have been fuller, chockablock with all sorts of
human idiosyncrasies, kinks and foibles of humanity.

6. idle
silly or trivial

"Sure, sir, they can know nothing about it; it's just idle talk, and no more."Lever, Charles James

7. idyllic
charmingly simple and serene

The scene of this charming, idyllic love story is laid in Central Indiana.Davis, Owen

8. ignominious
deserving or bringing disgrace or shame

The sentence passed upon them is that they die a shameful andignominious death.Hodgson,
Edward S.

9. illustrious
widely known and esteemed

The Trumbull family was the most illustrious in the state, embracing three governors and other
distinguished men.White, Horace

10. imbibe
take in liquids
For that little beast, having a severe cold, was given whisky-and-milk one day,
and, imbibing too freely, became absolutely drunk.Casserly, Gordon

11. imbroglio
an intricate and confusing interpersonal situation

And indeed his world is one huge imbroglio of Potentialities and Diplomatic Intricacies,
agitating to behold.Carlyle, Thomas

12. imminent
close in time; about to occur

He perceived the danger which he had so long warded off now instant andimminent.Rosebery,
Archibald Phillip Primrose

13. impaired
diminished in strength, quality, or utility

“Thinking could be slowed, attention dulled, judgement impaired, memory

muddled.”Washington Post (Mar 12, 2012)

14. impartial
free from undue bias or preconceived opinions

“We are looking for people who can serve as fair, objective and impartialjurors.”Washington
Post (Sep 14, 2011)
15. impasse
a situation in which no progress can be made

Unfortunately success also depends on an end to the impasse between America and China,
whose trade relations seem stuck.

16. impecunious
not having enough money to pay for necessities

It had been quite in keeping with his ideas that the Thornes should taste the bitters of poverty,
and know what being impecunious really meant.Fenn, George Manville

17. impediment
something immaterial that interferes with action or progress

He identified several chronic impediments to long-term progress in Brazil, too, including high
tax rates, deficient transportation and other infrastructure and a poor education system.New
York Times (Apr 7, 2012)

18. impending
close in time; about to occur

Davis immediately began preparing food and snacks for his wife’simpending arrival.New York
Times (Jul 23, 2011)

19. imperative
requiring attention or action
Though always important, safety becomes imperative when children are involved.

20. imperceptible
impossible or difficult to sense

Only a faint, almost imperceptible tinge remained of the ink stains on her face.Wells, Carolyn

21. imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority

He was known as an imperious boss with little patience for weakness, one who launched
blistering tirades that left subordinates fuming, or in tears.Chicago Tribune (Oct 6, 2011)

22. impetuous
marked by violent force

There are times when all these Yorkshire rivers become impetuous torrents, roaring along in
resistless might and majesty.White, Walter

23. implicit
being without doubt or reserve

He was accustomed to implicit obedience and was not used to seeing men smile when he
uttered a threat.Marshall, Edison

24. implode
burst inward
As the graph shows, growth actually slowed and then the whole systemimploded into a
catastrophic crisis.

25. implore
call upon in supplication

The poor woman continued to implore mercy; and coming nearer to the Lord, "She fell down
and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me!"Ross, Lady Mary

26. imply
express or state indirectly

Smoothing planes are, as the name implies, used to simply smoothen the work surface after it
has been trued.Rose, Joshua

27. impregnable
incapable of being attacked or tampered with

At the same time, the United States would be safeguarded against internal dangers and
made impregnable against attack or invasion by any foreign power.Maxwell, George
Hebard

28. impromptu
without advance preparation

Bauer proposed to Shourd while both were in prison, fashioning animpromptu ring out of
threads from his shirt.Washington Post (Nov 14, 2011)
29. impudence
the trait of being rude and impertinent

Ichikawa conceded that his "arrogance and impudence" may have brought on the attack,
adding: "I won't feel like having a drink for a while."

30. impunity
exemption from punishment or loss

According to Amnesty, some groups of former rebels are committing human rights violations
with impunity, unchecked by the interim government.

31. inalienable
not subject to forfeiture

Men's natural rights are all inherent and inalienable; and therefore cannot be parted with, or
delegated, by one person to another.Spooner, Lysander

32. inane
devoid of intelligence

And then, again, his asking me his stupid, inane questions, as if I cared what man, and how
many.Hutcheson, John C. (John Conroy)

33. inanimate
belonging to the class of nouns denoting nonliving things
The moment when the first living beings arose from inanimate matter almost four billion years
ago is still shrouded in mystery.Scientific American (Oct 10, 2011)

34. inaugurate
commence officially

Continental has ordered 25 Dreamliners and plans to inaugurate them in November 2011 on
new, nonstop flights to Auckland, New Zealand, and Lagos, Nigeria.New York Times (Aug 25,
2010)

35. incarnation
time passed in a particular bodily form

When America Online came out, that was a very early incarnation of social networking with
the instant messaging.

36. incendiary
a criminal who illegally sets fire to property

While there the depot was set on fire and burned down, supposed to be the work of
an incendiary.Terrill, J. Newton

37. inception
an event that is a beginning

They were confident this week, eager to show how much improvement the league has made
since its inception in 1996.Seattle Times (Jul 29, 2010)
38. inchoate
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

“But when the law is unsettled, inchoate, undeveloped, let’s say, it’s natural that judges’
political, social and economic views will shape how they see things.”New York Times (Dec
16, 2010)

39. incipient
only partly in existence; imperfectly formed

As yet, it is in an incipient stage of development and has by no means revealed its full power
for evil.Clark, John Bates

40. incite
provoke or stir up

He was arrested on charges including inciting a riot and disorderly conduct.Seattle Times (Jun
16, 2011)

41. inclement
severe, of weather

Check with your business's insurance policy to make sure it covers any accidents on company
property caused by inclement weather conditions.

42. incognito
without revealing one's identity
Hitherto their security has depended on keeping up their incognito by disguises, and the
secrecy of their camping place.Reid, Mayne

43. incompetent
not qualified or suited for a purpose

The common people, especially in the villages, know nothing at all of Christian doctrine; and
many pastors are quite unfit and incompetent to teach.Just, Gustav

44. inconspicuous
not prominent or readily noticeable

Unless Socapa Castle, therefore, is so small and inconspicuous as to have escaped my

notice, it must have fallen into ruins or been destroyed.Kennan, George

45. incorrigible
impervious to correction by punishment

There are some, however, who maintain that the criminal is incorrigibleand that reformatory
agencies have invariably failed.Kayll, James Leslie Allan

46. incredulous
not disposed or willing to believe; unbelieving

She looked puzzled, half incredulous and perplexed, inclined to smile, blushing somewhat,
and all uncertain.Black, William
47. increment
the amount by which something increases

The plan also called for quoting prices in decimals, doing away with the one-
eighth increments that had long defined Wall Street math.

48. incumbent
the official who holds an office

The Democratic incumbent faces no serious primary challenge and his re-election campaign
already is well under way.Time (Mar 25, 2012)

49. indelible
cannot be removed or erased

The paints were not indelible, consequently they could be easily removed and another
application made as circumstances required.Collins, Dennis

50. indemnity
protection against future loss

They should pay an indemnity to the state of Guatemala, not just apologize.”New York
Times (Oct 2, 2010)

51. indenture
bind by a contract for work, as an apprentice or servant
Beneath both these classes were the indentured servants, a few of whom were men of ability
forced to pay their passage by service.Commons, John R. (John Rogers)

52. indifferent
marked by a lack of interest

He leant back in his chair, outwardly indifferent and calm, but throbbing in every nerve and
pulse with wild excitement.Gull, Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger

53. indigenous
originating where it is found

These deer are not indigenous, but were introduced by the Romans, probably from Asia
Minor; and are, as at home, more or less private property.Buck, Walter J.

54. indigent
poor enough to need help from others

Tarkowski declared himself indigent, and said he could not pay the fines, according to news
reports.

55. indignant
angered at something unjust or wrong

In Spain throngs of young people, known as “the indignant ones,” occupied public plazas
nationwide, protesting unemployment and exclusionary politics.Forbes (Sep 7, 2011)
56. indomitable
impossible to subdue

"The very heart of the city was burned out, but nothing could extinguish
itsindomitable spirit."Mitchell, Broadus

57. ineffable
defying expression or description

He had asked questions—never in the form of words but only ineffableyearnings of his soul—
and at last it had responded.Marshall, Edison

58. inevitable
incapable of being avoided or prevented

“Yes,” she repeated more faintly, as though this was all natural, inevitable,
expected.Blackwood, Algernon

59. inexorable
not to be placated or appeased or moved by entreaty

He urged, entreated, commanded in vain, Mrs. Fortescue was inexorable.Aguilar, Grace

60. infamous
known widely and usually unfavorably
This one line in President George W. Bush's 2003 State of the Union address overshadowed
all the others, becoming infamously known as the "16 words."

61. infinitesimal
immeasurably small

Within an infinitesimal period of time, a period too brief to be calculable, both hemispheres are
again acting in unison.Ottolengui, Rodrigues

62. infirmity
the state of being weak in health or body

Such are death, old age, physical infirmity, loss of worldly honor, final impenitence.Rameur, E.

63. inflammatory
arousing to action or rebellion

After being fired, Ms. Bartz gave an inflammatory interview to Fortune magazine in which she
used an expletive and called Yahoo’s board “doofuses.”New York Times (Sep 12, 2011)

64. infringe
go against, as of rules and laws

He said the order was unlawful and infringed on officers' rights.

65. ingratiate
gain favor with somebody by deliberate efforts
Yeah, well… I’ve seen eyes narrow and ears go back at first meetings — even when I’m trying
to be humble, ingratiating and likable.New York Times (Nov 30, 2010)

66. inherent
existing as an essential constituent or characteristic

Action and reaction are, according to him, essential inherent properties of brain matter as
such, but consciousness is merely a dependent.Williams, C. M.

67. iniquity
absence of moral or spiritual values

"I have loved justice and hated iniquity," he said in dying, "therefore I die in exile."Norway,
Arthur H.

68. innate
not established by conditioning or learning

In other words, one of our most essential abilities as humans--reading--is the product of a
combination of innate and learned traits.

69. innocuous
lacking intent or capacity to injure

Yet in confinement, he was docile, compliant and innocuous, they said.New York Times (Oct 31,
2011)
70. innovative
being like nothing done or experienced or created before

On display are examples of artists using traditional subjects — portraits, landscapes, still lifes
— in ways that were new, innovative, and sometimes shocking, at the time.Washington
Post (Oct 14, 2011)

71. innuendo
an indirect and usually malicious implication

As a genuine Irishman he never used an immodest word, or by gesture, phrase,

or innuendo suggested an impure thought.Various

72. insatiable
impossible to satisfy

The site branched into movies, foreign cartoons, news programs — anything to feed
viewers’ insatiableappetite.New York Times (Jul 23, 2011)

73. inscrutable
of an obscure nature

Hearing these words, Nabu-Nahid's face assumed an expression that was unexpectedly
complex—a little inscrutable, indeed.Potter, Margaret Horton

74. insidious
working or spreading in a hidden and usually injurious way
Its onset is usually insidious, gradually worsening over years and thus easily ignored.New
York Times (Jan 16, 2012)

75. insolent
marked by casual disrespect

Insolent laughter and mocking shouts were the answer he received.J?kai, M?r

76. insolvent
unable to meet or discharge financial obligations

In common parlance, bankruptcy is often used more casually, to mean something like broke
or insolvent.New York Times (Sep 2, 2011)

77. insouciant
marked by unconcern

I rattled on, insouciant and careless to all appearances, but in reality my heart like lead.Travis,
Stuart

78. insubordination
defiance of authority

"What Keble hated instinctively," says Newman, "was heresy,insubordination, resistance to

things established, claims of independence, disloyalty, innovation, a critical and censorious
spirit."Benson, Arthur Christopher
79. insular
suggestive of the isolated life of an island

Describing the tour as “an insular, introverted, isolated world,” Wright said she found no relief
during her too-brief trips home.New York Times (Mar 30, 2012)

80. insuperable
incapable of being surpassed or excelled

His life is an insuperable force, vivid, inviolable and free, which my heart out of sheer love of
him failed to recognize.Marx, Magdeleine

81. insurgent
a person who takes part in an armed insurrection

Clashes broke out between the insurgents and government troops in June, with both sides
blaming the other for provoking the violence.

82. insurrection
organized opposition to authority

More than a decade of civil war left thousands dead after separatists on Bougainville Island
began an armed insurrection in 1989.New York Times (Dec 13, 2011)

83. intact
undamaged in any way
Questions were raised about the quality of construction in the area, with some buildings having
remained completely intact while those next door were destroyed.New York Times (Oct 26,
2011)

84. intangible
incapable of being perceived by the senses, especially touch

I thought they were all clouds—beautiful, airy intangible shapes.Waddington, Mary Alsop King

85. inter
place in a grave or tomb

He was interred with due military honors in a cemetery near his home in Jersey City.Various

86. interdict
a court order prohibiting a party from a certain activity

Out-of-door life is interdicted, so to speak; gaiety is out of the question; everything

predisposes to industry and thought.O'Rell, Max

87. interim
serving during an intermediate interval of time

Chief Financial Officer Anthony Vuolo will serve as interim CEO while the company looks for a
permanent replacement.Washington Post (Jan 10, 2012)

88. interject
 insert between other elements

Indeed, the book is like an endless string of pearls, with here and there a ruby, a diamond, or a
bit of honest glass interjected.Ballou, Maturin Murray

89. interloper
someone who intrudes on the privacy or property of another

We look upon them somewhat as interlopers, parasites, occupying a place to which they have
no legitimate right.Various

90. interminable
tiresomely long; seemingly without end

This duration is eternity: an interminable duration existing all together.Coffey, Peter

91. intimation
an indirect suggestion

Saul flinched before the concealed intimation in the words.Miller, Elizabeth

92. intransigent
impervious to pleas, persuasion, requests, or reason

Cuba's response to recent US efforts to improve relations had revealed "anintransigent,

entrenched regime" in Havana, said the US secretary of state.BBC (Apr 10, 2010)

93. intrepid
 invulnerable to fear or intimidation

He must be intrepid, persisting through danger to death, laboring for religious truth, neither
precipitating peril by audacity nor shrinking from it through timidity.Lea, Henry Charles

94. intrinsic
belonging to a thing by its very nature

Roughly speaking, some Christian thinkers believe animals have intrinsicrights to be treated
well, like people.New York Times (Oct 14, 2011)

95. introspective
given to examining own sensory and perceptual experiences

Some of these artists do show an introspective side, reaching inward to confess their dreams,
and what innocent dreams they are.

96. inundated
covered with water

The baffled water stopped, as if reflecting; then it turned back, and rose till it poured over its
banks and inundated the fields.Aksakov, S. T. (Sergei Timofeevich)

97. inverse
opposite in nature or effect or relation to another quantity

Others showed an inverse relationship, with their activity declining as the value increased.
98. irrelevant
having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue

His views are irrelevant – he’s a tudor historian talking about contemporary urban unrest.New
York Times (Aug 13, 2011)

99. irreverent
showing lack of due respect or veneration

His humour was cheeky, irreverent, subversive and most definitely not politically correct.

100. itinerant
traveling from place to place to work

The interest extending widely beyond his parish, he spent part of his time initinerant preaching,
going several hundred miles and in every direction.