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The publisher has strived to be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this report. However, the
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While all attempts have been made to verify information provided in this publication, the publisher assumes no
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All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including
scanning, photocopying, or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.

1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I want to thank my parents, George and Regine, for instilling in me the importance of language –Joanna
Milobedzki

I want to thank the executives and master communicators who, early in my career, inspired me to take my
vocabulary and communication skills to the highest level of success…The Executive Level –Greg Ragland

2
CLICKABLE TABLE OF CONTENTS

LEGAL NOTICE .................................................................................................................................................... 1

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .................................................................................................................................... 2

CLICKABLE TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................ 3

ABOUT THE AUTHORS ...................................................................................................................................... 5

FOREWORD .......................................................................................................................................................... 6

INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................................. 7

Section 1 Lessons .................................................................................................................................................. 10

Section 1 Test ........................................................................................................................................................ 23

Section 2 Lessons .................................................................................................................................................. 26

Section 2 Test ........................................................................................................................................................ 38

Section 3 Lessons .................................................................................................................................................. 40

Section 3 Test ........................................................................................................................................................ 52

Section 4 Lessons .................................................................................................................................................. 55

Section 4 Test ........................................................................................................................................................ 67

Section 5 Lessons .................................................................................................................................................. 70

Section 5 Test ........................................................................................................................................................ 83

Section 6 Lessons .................................................................................................................................................. 85

Section 6 Test ........................................................................................................................................................ 99

Section 7 Lessons ................................................................................................................................................ 102

Section 7 Test ...................................................................................................................................................... 115

Section 8 Lessons ................................................................................................................................................ 117

Section 8 Test ...................................................................................................................................................... 129

Section 9 Lessons ................................................................................................................................................ 132

Section 9 Test ...................................................................................................................................................... 145

Section 10 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 148

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Section 10 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 160

Section 11 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 162

Section 11 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 175

Section 12 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 178

Section 12 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 191

Section 13 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 193

Section 13 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 206

Section 14 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 209

Section 14 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 222

Section 15 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 225

Section 15 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 238

Section 15 Test Answers ..................................................................................................................................... 240

Section 16 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 254

Section 16 Test Answers ..................................................................................................................................... 257

Section 17 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 258

Section 17 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 271

Section 18 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 274

Section 19 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 290

Section 19 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 303

Section 19 Test Answers ..................................................................................................................................... 305

Section 20 Lessons .............................................................................................................................................. 306

Section 20 Test .................................................................................................................................................... 318

Bonus Lessons .................................................................................................................................................... 321

4
ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Greg Ragland is a CPA with an MBA degree in marketing. Greg's 18+ year career has been exclusively in
professional services. His career began in finance and accounting with KPMG where he became a CPA in the
state of California. After graduating from MBA school, he worked with large, global advertising agency
networks, McCann Erickson and EURO RSCG. He has also worked with startup organizations including Group
DCA, which he helped grow and prepare for a successful acquisition. Greg has been a Business Development
Executive for the majority of his career. He has developed niche expertise in the cross section of Life Science
and Technology.

Without a Life Science or Technology degree, Greg had to rely on his strategic acumen to develop and manage
business deals in these industries. In working with various executives from VP's to the C Suite, he noticed that
these successful professionals all had one common skill set - a strong vocabulary. Greg quickly learned that in
order to get a seat at the table with high-level executives, he needed to speak their language. This realization
began a vocabulary development journey, which manifested into the creation of Executive Vocabulary.

In addition to being a high-level business development executive in the niche Life-Science/High-Tech industry,
Greg serves as the President and Co-Founder of Execucomm Inc.

Born and raised in Europe, Joanna Milo relied on her natural linguistic talent to become fluent in 3 languages by
the age of ten. A voracious reader from an early age, Joanna learned, early in life, the positive power of a rich
vocabulary. Even at a young age, Joanna earned high marks for her writing and communication skills, so it was
only natural for her to earn a degree in communication studies from the University of San Diego.

Working in advertising and public relations, Joanna noticed that the most successful people in the agency, the
top-level copy writers, the executives, even the most successful clients, knew how to communicate effectively
and sell their ideas with confidence. She realized that many of her peers were coming out of college with
degrees, but without the right communication tools to truly elevate their career success. When approached by
Greg Ragland to help him create the Executive Vocabulary program, she jumped at the chance to help other
professionals, as well as college students and recent graduates, improve their communication confidence and
chance of career success.

In leading a team of communication and English vocabulary experts that included English professors, linguists
and business professionals in various fields, all holding pHD's or MBA's, Joanna approached teaching English
vocabulary from the perspective of learning a new language and the importance of contextual learning. She
even continues to refer back to the Executive Vocabulary program to brush up on her own English vocabulary
when she feels her business communication skills getting "rusty."

5
FOREWORD

In today’s advancing world, there is no better way to achieve academic and career success than by raising your
verbal intelligence. Just as high musical intelligence allows musicians to perform a note with its proper pitch
and tone, high verbal intelligence allows a reader to define a word with its proper contextual definition. Words
and word pieces are the building blocks of verbal intelligence.

The ability to freely express ideas and to capture the thoughts of others requires a fundamental understanding of
the words successful people use. This workbook includes those words you need to know. Rather than offering a
quick definition and sample sentence, this volume gives you an understanding of the origin of each word along
with usage tips. By doing so, instead of a rote or surface understanding of these terms, you will develop a high-
definition vocabulary and soon become capable of comprehending and communicating at a far richer and
deeper level of understanding.

My suggestion is for you to work with just a few of these words each day. Practice using them in personalized
sentences related to your own life. Incorporate them in your emails and conversations—a few at a time. Work
hard to master these words and be able to verbally define them. And remember, vocabulary skills underlie the
skill of reading as well as communication and interpersonal skills. By working this program, you will notice
your reading fluency increase. And, by developing a powerful vocabulary, you will notice that others will react
more favorably toward you.

Donald Russell Woodruff is the director of the Professional Vocabulary Institute and author of The Kangaroo
Method: How To Unlock Your Verbal Intelligence & Become The Person You Most Want To Be.

6
INTRODUCTION

There's a reason you decided to download the Executive Vocabulary e-book and are now holding this powerful
success tool in your hand. You may have been feeling that something was missing or holding you back from
achieving the career success you deserve, or you may have simply noticed that you weren't able to express your
ideas as clearly and confidently as you would like.

As an intelligent person, you already know that effective communication skills are the key to being heard and
getting what you want, both at work and in your daily life. Whether you're just starting out in your career, as a
recent graduate or whether you have been establishing your career path for years, you recognize that improving
your vocabulary is the best way to raise your verbal intelligence and thereby, your career success. This is
precisely why we created the Executive Vocabulary program.

According to Don Woodruf, the renowned creator of the Kangaroo Method, it was once believed that our
intelligence level is fixed, but we now know that this is not true. Just by raising your vocabulary skills and
thereby, your verbal intelligence, you can actually raise your overall IQ. Just think of what this could do for
you--increased confidence, greater respect from your peers and colleagues, and ultimately, greater success in
every aspect of your life.

Executive Vocabulary was designed to be the elite leader of vocabulary programs. It's the only program geared
exclusively toward empowering you for greater success.

In fact, it's the only program worthy of the Trademark name "Executive."

You see, the scientists who've studied success have made an interesting discovery about high-level executives:
they consistently have the most powerful vocabularies.

Johnson O'Connor, the scientist who discovered the link between vocabulary and rank on the corporate ladder,
was surprised to discover that not only did executives use a greater number of powerful words than their
underlings - their vocabularies were actually superior to even PhD's and University Professors.

In other words, being an elite executive and mastering a powerful vocabulary go hand-in-hand.

Executive Vocabulary was developed specifically to help expand your career vocabulary by presenting words in
a business context. Through countless research hours, we selected words for their usefulness in business and
day-to-day communication. This powerful teaching tool has been designed to help you expand your vocabulary
and raise your verbal intelligence so that you can have the words you need, at the ready. The words you'll learn
in this book will give you the power to communicate directly and with impact. They are true Power Words®.

Power Words® will infuse your communications with power and precision. These are words that inform, rather
than confuse. Mastering and using these Power Words® will enable you to radiate the image of authority and
success. This is why Executive Vocabulary® isn't built around memorizing definitions – we leave that to the
other programs, the ones not worthy of the name "Executive." Nor do we focus on a gaggle of pretentious,
obscure words your listeners won't understand. Instead, Executive Vocabulary® is designed to help you rapidly
assimilate Power Words® into your everyday conversations and to master them.

7
Using this program will make Power Words so ingrained and natural to you that they become part of your
internal thought process. After that, having them roll effortlessly off your tongue in conversations is, well…
effortless. We give you that level of mastery by focusing our lessons on using each word in a business or real-
life context. It is by learning through context, that you should begin to think about examples in your own job or
daily life where Power Words can replace weaker words and make your thoughts and communications that
much stronger.

To gain all the benefits of this program, it is imperative that you read through this workbook and use it in
conjunction with your audio learning. People often prefer the passive learning (listening) of our audio program
to the active learning (reading) of this workbook. This is because most people consider reading to be more
difficult than listening. But to reap the full potential of the Executive Vocabulary® program, in the shortest
amount of time, use this book to reinforce and ingrain the lessons taught in the audio portion of the program.
We have included a bonus section, as well as extra tips, some new usage examples, and new quiz questions that
will compliment your audio learning.

Use this book to access your progress. As you listen and read through the Executive Vocabulary program, look
back on your day and identify instances when you either used a Power Word or heard someone else use a Power
Word. This will be the quickest and easiest way for your permanently assimilate new words into your active
vocabulary. Then, identify which words you haven't used. Consider why you haven't used these words. Is it
because the right situation or conversation didn't present itself? Or is it because you don't fully understand the
definition and aren't completely comfortable using the word? Focus on these words. Focus on making sure you
are able to correctly use these words by studying with the quizzes. In order to get totally comfortable with the
word, say it out loud, twenty-five times. Then say the word and its definition, twenty-five times. Finally, use the
word in a sentence, ideally in a sentence or scenario that applies to your own life, and repeat this to yourself ten
to twenty-five times. If you follow this process for every word you haven't used or heard used recently, we
guarantee you will soon use the word and it will become part of your immediate and permanent vocabulary.

As you study and proceed through the program, keep your eyes and ears open for new Power Words. Create a
heightened awareness of words used by your friends, colleagues and the media. You should begin to take note
of Power Words being used every day. You will soon realize that we have amassed the greatest collection of
Power Words available, and that you now have them at the ready, as part of your active verbal intelligence.
With your new awareness of vocabulary and your improved communication, you may begin to notice words
that you consider to be Power Words, but that are not currently part of the Executive Vocabulary program.
That's great! Study and learn those words using our repetition process, and send us an email with the word or
words, and we may add it to future versions of the program and credit you for identifying those words.

You're now on the road to vocabulary mastery and career success, and you'll soon notice yourself projecting an
air of success and power, and others will notice this change in you too.

As you powerfully and precisely express your ideas, they will resonate with more people, and will be
remembered and acted upon. As your ideas are acted upon, your colleagues will begin to have greater respect
for your capabilities and will depend on your continued support. Your colleagues and superiors will begin to
perceive you as more intelligent and skilled at your job. And your IQ will naturally increase. You won't just
appear smarter, you actually will be.

8
Countless graduates and career professionals the world over have used the Executive Vocabulary program and
sent us excited stories of their increased confidence, intelligence, and success. As you go through this program
and increase your verbal intelligence, you too will start to feel this level of excitement and you will soon see all
the benefits you deserve. Enjoy the journey on your road to success!

9
Section 1 Lessons

Adamant-(adjective)-Very determined and not influenced by appeals to reconsider; set in one's opinion
Synonyms: insistent, firm, fixed, resolute, unbending

Antonyms: yielding

Tips & Usage: Adamant was originally derived from the Greek word adamas, which literally means
“unbreakable.” Think, firm, unbreakable opinion. The adverb adamantly refers to something done in a
determined or insistent manner.

Usage Examples:

1. The CEO is adamant about the company’s need to expand into global markets. (resolute)

2. He is adamantly opposed to any other options. (firmly, resolutely)

3. He was adamant about taking the problem to court; there was no convincing him otherwise. (insistent,
resolute)

4. I was adamant about finding the perfect dress for the party and refused to wear anything I already had in
my closet. (unyielding, insistent)

Adept-(adjective)-Highly proficient or skilled at something

Synonyms: skilled, proficient, competent, able, apt, deft, adroit

Antonyms: inapt, inept, bungling

Tips & Usage: Adept is derived from the Latin adeptus, the past participle of adipisci, "to acquire." The
underlying idea is of having acquired a skill. In business, the word adept is often used to describe a person or
group’s skills; "adept at negotiating," for example. Adept is synonymous with apt, deft, and adroit.

Usage Examples:

1. We selected R&R consultants because they were more technologically adept. (skilled, proficient)

2. They were more adept at uncovering important technology issues. (proficient, competent)

3. We chose the accountants because they seemed more adept at addressing complicated tax issues.
(proficient, deft)

4. We don't need a brilliant mathematician for this task; we just need someone who is adept at simple
calculations. (competent, skilled)

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Antiquated-(adjective)-1. Ancient or old-fashioned 2. Out-of-date or badly in need of updating
Synonyms: out-of-date, archaic, outmoded, obsolescent, quaint, old-fashioned

Antonyms: new

Tips & Usage: Antiquated is often used as a more sophisticated way of commenting on outdated machinery or
business methods. Think of the related word antique, which denotes something old. If something is antiquated,
it is old and in need of replacement.

Usage Examples:

1. The company was able to realize immediate efficiency once it replaced its antiquated production facility.
(out-of-date, outmoded)

2. It was amazing that the run-down and antiquated machinery still worked. (archaic, outmoded)

3. His antiquated marketing ideas don't work in the Internet Age. (outdated, old-fashioned)

4. An antiquated bridge on which trucks and buses were not allowed to travel joined the two towns.
(outmoded, archaic)

Berate-(verb)-To scold somebody vigorously and lengthily

Synonyms: scold, rebuke, reprimand, belittle, chide

Antonyms: praise, applaud, commend

Tips & Usage: The word berate is most commonly used in its past tense, berated. It can also be used as an
adjective or adverb, as in: I felt berated. Berate is synonymous with rebuke.

Usage Examples:

1. Stockholders, angry with some of his recent decisions, berated the CEO. (rebuked)

2. The President openly berated Congress for its slow response on his legislation. (chided)

3. My boss berated me in front of my co-workers when I arrived late to a meeting. (scolded)

4. Rather than berating your child for his mistakes, you should praise him for his accomplishments.
(reprimanding)

Buoyant-(adjective)-1. Quick to recover emotionally from a disappointment or failure 2. Characterized by

liveliness and light-heartedness 3. Tending to float or rise to the surface of a liquid or upward in a gas

11
Synonyms: cheerful, light-hearted, joyful, carefree, optimistic, spirited, floatable, floating, unsinkable,
expansive, lifting

Antonyms: down, depressed, heavy, sinking

Tips & Usage: Buoyant is derived from the Spanish word boyante, present participle of boyar, “to float.” Think
"floating," in terms of "walking on air" in happiness. Also, think of rising profits as being buoyant. In business,
buoyant is often used to describe economic numbers.

Usage Examples:

1. The economy has been helped by buoyant consumer spending. (expansive, spirited)

2. You could tell he was happy to be home; he took buoyant steps as he walked off the plane. (joyful,
cheerful)

3. He has a very buoyant personality that makes him fun to be around. (light-hearted, cheerful)

4. You can always sense the buoyant spirits of everyone at the company on Friday afternoons. (cheerful,
light-hearted)

Characterize-(verb)-1. To describe the character or characteristics of somebody or something 2. To be typical

of the way a particular person or thing behaves or looks

Synonyms: distinguish, depict, portray, describe, typify, identify, designate

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: When you describe a person's character, you may characterize him or her as being friendly,
intelligent, kind, mean, etc. Characterize is often used as a more sophisticated way of saying "describe."

Usage Examples:

1. His employees characterized him as an intelligent man. (depicted, portrayed)

2. In the book "To Kill a Mockingbird," Atticus Finch is characterized by his quiet dignity. (distinguished,
identified)

3. Many people remember the 1980's as a time characterized by corporate greed. (distinguished, typified)

4. I would characterize the program as being very reflective and insightful. (describe)

Complacent-(adjective)-Overly self-satisfied due to a high opinion of oneself, and therefore, too content
Synonyms: smug, self-satisfied, self-pleased, at ease, indifferent, apathetic, impervious

12
Antonyms: humble, diffident, on guard

Tips & Usage: Complacent is derived from the Latin word complacent, the present participle stem of
complacere, literally “to please very much." It is often used to describe someone who is overly pleased with him
or herself. It is also used in business to describe companies that are satisfied with the status quo and may be
easing up on marketing, etc.

Usage Examples:

1. American auto makers became too complacent in the 1970’s, allowing Japanese manufacturers to
increase auto sales in the US. (at ease, smug)

2. Strong competition keeps companies from becoming too complacent. (comfortable, impervious)

3. Don’t become too complacent with the successes you’ve had; you still have a long way to go. (smug,
self-satisfied)

4. After the great revenue year, many of the sales executives became too complacent. (self-satisfied, at
ease)

Contrive-(verb)-1. To accomplish something by being clever and creative 2. To make or invent something
clever 3. To create a plan or scheme

Synonyms: devise, concoct, formulate, design, invent, engineer, manipulate, scheme

Antonyms: chance, hazard, destroy

Tips & Usage: Contrive is derived from the Old French word contro(u)ver, “to invent.” The verb contrive is
used in a positive and complimentary way. The related adjective contrived is often a negative term to describe
something that has been fabricated or concocted without much imagination, while the verb contrive can be used
in a positive way to denote clever thinking.

Usage Examples:

1. We should contrive a new plan of action, since the old one doesn't seem to be working. (devise)

2. The Internet craze produced a slew of contrived dot-com businesses. (concocted)

3. The President’s ideas were not original or insightful; most agreed they sounded contrived. (fabricated)

4. Recognizing he had a problem on his hands, he quickly contrived a plan of action to address the issue.
(created)

Depraved-(adjective)-1. Showing great moral corruption or wickedness 2. Deviating from what is right,
proper, or good

13
Synonyms: corrupt, degenerate, mean, debased, immoral, wicked

Antonyms: scrupulous, upstanding

Tips & Usage: Depraved is used as a sophisticated way of characterizing a person’s mean and corrupt behavior.

Usage Examples:

1. He has been a ruthless and mean businessman throughout his whole career; I don’t think he can change
his depraved ways. (corrupt)

2. The depraved club treasurer ran off to Hawaii and spent all of the members' dues. (corrupt, immoral)

3. The depraved CEO stole millions of dollars from his company. (corrupt, degenerate)

4. There is no question the depraved terrorists should be punished for their atrocities. (wicked)

Duress-(noun)-The use of force or threats to make somebody do something

Synonyms: coercion, pressure, force, threat

Antonyms: beseeching

Tips & Usage: Duress is derived from the Latin word duritia, meaning “hardness,” and from durus, meaning
“hard.” Think, hard pressure. In law, duress may be used against a criminal suspect or a prisoner in lawful
custody to get information or a confession. In law, a contract is null and void if it is signed under duress (force,
undue pressure).

Usage Examples:

1 If it weren’t for the great duress put upon him by his neighbors, he would never have moved the junk he
let pile up on his front yard. (pressure)

2 The board was under duress to hire a new CEO. (pressure)

3 He claimed that the confession was invalid because it was signed under duress. (coercion, force)

4 The criminal finally confessed to the crime under duress from the interrogating officer. (pressure)

Facade-(noun)-1. The way something or somebody appears on the surface, especially when intended to
conceal something 2. In architecture, the face or front of a building

Synonyms: face, exterior, outside, front, veneer, disguise, mask

Antonyms: back, interior

14
Tips & Usage: A facade is the front of something, whether a person's feelings or personality, or the front of a
building. It refers to the outward appearance presented to the world. On movie sets, facades of buildings are
often used in place of a real buildings. From the front, it looks like a real building, but look behind the facade,
and there's nothing there. In this same way, a person can put on a "false front, false face"−the facade presented
to the world to mask his or her true feelings. Facade can, however, refer to the front of a real building, as well.

Usage Examples:

1. Everyone could see that the salesman’s friendly demeanor was just a facade to help him sell more shoes.
(veneer, false front)

2. Marble posts decorated the building’s facade. (front, exterior)

3. Do not fall for his friendly facade; he is a very unethical businessman. (face, veneer)

4. The tract home had what appeared to be a nice facade, but then I realized the house was made of cheap
materials and wouldn’t retain its outward beauty for long. (exterior, outside)

Idiosyncrasy-(noun)-A peculiar way of behaving or thinking that is particular to an individual or group

Synonyms: characteristic, peculiarity, quirk, eccentricity

Antonyms: commonality

Tips & Usage: A person's idiosyncrasy is a peculiar quirk or habit that makes someone unique. For a memory
trick, think of idiosyncrasy as a way of denoting the actions of someone who is out of sync with what is
"normal," or a little "crasy" (crazy). Notice both "sync" and "crasy" (crazy) in the word idiosyncrasy.
Eccentricity is a synonym for idiosyncrasy. Eccentric (odd, peculiar, unique) is usually an adjective used to
describe someone with idiosyncrasies (odd mannerisms) rather than saying the person is idiosyncratic.

Usage Examples:

1. He had some odd idiosyncrasies, like asking people to take their shoes off before entering his office.
(peculiarities, quirks)

2. His obsession with velvet Elvis paintings was just one of his many idiosyncrasies. (eccentricities, quirks)

3. One of the idiosyncrasies of this printer is that you can't stop it once it has started to print. (unusual
feature)

4. I am not sure why he always taps his head when he thinks; it’s just an idiosyncrasy. (peculiar
mannerism)

Incumbent-(adjective)-(noun)-(adj.)-1. Currently holding a position or office 2. Necessary as a result of a

duty, responsibility, or obligation (n.)-1. The person holding the position or office

15
Synonyms: (adj.) in office, elected, inaugurated, acting, official, obligatory, requisite, required, binding, urgent,
compelling

Antonyms: (adj.) discretionary, nonobligatory

Tips & Usage: Incumbent is used in two ways: to discuss the holding of an office or position (as in politics) or
to denote obligation. Use incumbent as an easier and more sophisticated way of saying "obligatory." You will
often hear incumbent used in the phrase "It is incumbent upon someone to do something."

Usage Examples:

1 It is incumbent on parents to teach their children the difference between right and wrong. (obligatory)

2 It is incumbent upon the corporation to take action against new market competitors. (obligatory, urgent)

3 The incumbent will need to fight a strong battle against her opponent in order to stay in office. (official
in office)

4 It was incumbent on the ambassador to learn the culture of the county in which she would be practicing
diplomacy. (obligatory, requisite)

Integrity-(noun)-1. Possession of firm principles 2. The state of being complete or undivided 3. The state of
being sound or undamaged

Synonyms: incorruptibility, honesty, virtue, honor, morality, completeness, soundness, wholeness

Antonyms: immorality, dishonesty

Tips & Usage: Integrity is derived from the Old French integer, meaning "whole." Think, "whole and
complete," in terms of a structure, or "whole and honest," in terms of a person's character.

Usage Examples:

1. My dad has a reputation as a man of great integrity; if he tells you he’s going to do something, he’ll do
it. (honor, honesty)

2. Many questioned the structural integrity of the car, fearing it would crumble in a crash. (soundness)

3. Many people questioned whether the structural integrity of the building would hold under the strain of
an earthquake. (soundness)

4. The program's integrity will be tested during its execution. (completeness, soundness)

Lucid-(adjective)-1. Clear and easily understood 2. Rational and mentally clear 3. Shining or emitting light
Synonyms: clear, evident, obvious, unmistakable, sane, rational, intelligent, bright, radiant, brilliant

16
Antonyms: unclear, gloomy, murky

Tips & Usage: Lucid is derived from the Latin word lucidus, from lucere, “to shine,” from the stem luc,
meaning “light." This is also the source of the words elucidate and translucent. Lucid is often used to describe a
person’s thought process or writing technique. Think, clarity from shining a light−you have "shined a light" on
something and now it is easier to see and understand...it is lucid.

Usage Examples:

1. You can tell the vacation did him well; his thoughts, ideas, and reports were more lucid when he
returned. (clear, rational)

2. All of his ideas were clear and easy to follow; he impressed everyone with his lucid speaking ability.
(brilliant)

3. I wish he could present the abstruse subject in a more lucid manner. (clear, sensible)

4. The communication consultant was so good; she could make an inarticulate person sound lucid within a
few consultations. (clear, intelligent)

Mitigate-(verb)-1. To make something less harsh, severe, or violent 2. To make an offense or crime less
serious or more excusable

Synonyms: relieve, lessen, assuage, ease, excuse, soften, extenuate

Antonyms: intensify, aggravate, augment

Tips & Usage: Mitigate is derived from the Latin word mitigatus, past participle of mitigare, “to make mild,”
and ultimately from mitis, “gentle, soft” and agere, “to make.” Mitigate is often used in business to refer to
relieving risk. The related adjective mitigating refers to lessening the severity of an action. Examples include,
"Are there any mitigating (excusing) factors for why she was so obnoxious?" and "I believe his upstanding
record prior to his DUI will be a mitigating (excusing, lessening) factor when he is sentenced by the judge." The
related adjective unmitigated usually refers to something bad that has no good or mitigating (softening)
qualities: "The tsunami was an unmitigated disaster.".

Usage Examples:

1. The physician group paid more for insurance to mitigate their malpractice liability. (lessen, ease)

2. The company required all employees to sign a policy form on sexual harassment in order to mitigate
its liability in future harassment cases. (assuage, lessen)

3. His recent success mitigated the failures of his earlier years. (relieved, excused)

4. Corporate executives are trying to mitigate the greedy image some people have of them. (soften,
lessen)

17
Onus-(noun)-1. Burden, duty, or responsibility 2. The blame for something 3. Burden of proof
Synonyms: burden, responsibility, load, obligation, duty, blame, stigma

Antonyms: acclaim, commendation

Tips & Usage: Onus originates from the same Latin word, meaning “burden, load.” Think, "responsibility to
carry the load." Onus is often used as a more sophisticated way of saying "burden, responsibility, or obligation."

Usage Examples:

1. When the economy is in a recession, many believe the onus is on the President and Congress to pull the
country out of it. (burden, obligation)

2. He'll always bear the onus of having made bad investment decisions and losing most of the family's
retirement savings. (blame, responsibility)

3. In court, the onus is on the prosecution to prove guilt. (burden of proof)

4. We're all out of ideas; I guess the onus is on you to find a solution. (burden, obligation)

Perpetuate-(verb)-1. To make something last or continue, usually for a long time 2. To make something or
somebody be remembered

Synonyms: continue, eternalize, preserve, immortalize, prevail, extend

Antonyms: obliterate, destroy

Tips & Usage: When something is perpetual, it is continuous and endless. When something, like an idea or
tradition, is perpetuated, it is kept alive or preserved.

Usage Examples:

1. The President is looking for ways to perpetuate his strong poll numbers. (preserve, continue)

2. The computer manufacturer continually looked to technical advances as a means of perpetuating its
market leadership. (continuing, extending)

3. The company’s goal is to perpetuate its reputation as a leader in customer service for generations to
come. (preserve)

4. A fourth straight victory over our rival would perpetuate our superiority and dominance for another year.
(extend, continue)

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Pretense-(noun)-1. Insincere or feigned behavior meant to deceive 2. An unwarranted or unsupported claim
Synonyms: dishonesty, fabrication, disguise, charade, pretension, false show, excuse, pretext

Antonyms: truth, fact, honesty

Tips & Usage: Pretense is often used in a negative sense, as when discussing "false pretenses," which are meant
to deceive. Use pretense as a sophisticated way of describing a claim or story meant to deceive. Think of the
related word, pretend. When you "put on pretenses," you pretend something is different than it appears. Pretense
is similar in meaning and application to guise. Note: do not confuse pretense with its homonym pretext, which
is "an excuse for why you did something, meant to hide the real reason."

Usage Examples:

1. He tried to sell us the old computer under the pretense that new computers aren’t really more advanced.
(fabrication, false story)

2. She made absolutely no pretense of being interested. (false show)

3. The couple tried to keep up a pretense of normality and happiness while they were in the middle of a
divorce. (charade, false show)

4. Politicians have given up on any pretense of neutrality; politics have become completely partisan.
(pretext, pretension)

Pro forma-(adjective)-(adverb)-1. Done or existing only as a formality 2. Provided in advance to serve as a

model or example for a later version of something

Synonyms: perfunctory, formal, conventional, routine, in advance

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The literal Latin meaning of pro forma is "for form's sake." Thus, something done pro forma is
only done as a matter of formality, but may not actually be necessary. It can also describe something done out
of obligation or formality, in an insincere way.

Usage Examples:

1. The mayoral candidate was the only one running for the office, yet a pro forma election was held.
(perfunctory, routine)

2. Though Jane didn’t care for the gift she received, she sent a pro forma thank you-note. (perfunctory,
routine)

3. I sent a pro forma invoice before the completion of the project, prior to sending a more complete and
detailed invoice. (in advance)

19
 4. It is usually a bad sign when a company sends you an impersonal, pro forma letter after an interview. (as
a formality, routine)

Reticent-(adjective)-1. Unwilling or disinclined to talk 2. Reluctant to draw attention to oneself 3. Cool and
formal in manner—reserved

Synonyms: silent, hesitant, shy, reserved, restrained, taciturn, reluctant

Antonyms: frank, unreserved

Tips & Usage: In its traditional sense, reticent means "reluctant to speak." Thus, reticent is more closely a
synonym for silent than it is for reluctant: "He was reticent (silent, quiet) about discussing his former job
because he was fired and left on bad terms." Reticent is, however, increasingly seen in contexts in which it
conveys other kinds of reluctance: "He was reticent to travel so much." This is regarded as a misuse, and in this
instance, the word "reluctant" conveys the meaning more effectively.

Usage Examples:

1. I thought he was unusually reticent when we were discussing the missing office supplies. (silent,
reserved)

2. Most people are reticent about opening up to a new boss. (shy, hesitant)

3. The investors were reticent about giving the company more money until they reviewed the financial
statements. (reserved)

4. Since he was recently fired from his job, he was reticent about discussing his previous employment.
(reserved, taciturn)

Solace-(noun)-(verb)-(n.)-1. Comfort at a time of sadness, grief, or disappointment 2. The act of consoling or

giving relief (v.)-1. To console or give strength to someone

Synonyms: (n.) comfort, consolation, (v.) console, cheer, relieve, soothe, assuage

Antonyms: (n.) grief, sadness, irritation, (v.) trouble, sadden, irritate

Tips & Usage: Solace is derived from the Latin word solatium, from solari, “to comfort.” This is also the source
of the word "console." Use console to denote the action of comforting, and use solace to refer to the comfort
itself.

Usage Examples:

1. The tax rebate checks provided solace to many cash-strapped families. (relief, comfort)

20
 2. I find it helps to seek solace in the company of family and friends during times of crisis. (consolation,
comfort)

3. The vacation house provides us great solace from our hectic lives. (relief)

4. The two-week severance package provided little solace to the laid-off workers. (relief, comfort)

Tantalizing-(adjective)-1. Pleasantly inviting 2. Tempting, but unavailable or unattainable

Synonyms: tempting, appealing, inviting, enticing

Antonyms: unappealing

Tips & Usage: Tantalizing is often used to describe tempting scenarios. Tantalizing is a more sophisticated way
of saying "tempting." The verb tantalize means "to tempt or torment with something tantalizing."

Usage Examples:

1. I am not in a position to accept your offer to buy our company, but I do admit it sounds tantalizing.
(tempting)

2. Investors, tempted by the huge drop in price, should find the company’s stock tantalizing. (appealing)

3. Although John received a tantalizing offer from another company, he remained loyal to his current job.
(enticing)

4. He tantalized me with the prospect of an overseas job, but gave the position to one of my co-workers
instead. (tempted, enticed)

Utilize-(verb)-To make use of or find a practical use for something

Synonyms: use, apply, operate, employ, manipulate

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Utilize means “to use in a practical or effective way,” and so, means something more specific
than "use," which is the more general word. Utilize can also be a more formal way of saying "to make use of."
The word utilize should be avoided when the intended meaning is simply "use." The related noun utility means
"usefulness, value, or efficacy." The noun utilization is often used in finance, technical, and operational
discussions. Also, utilization refers to the use of equipment or resources and gaining utility from them. For
example: We were able to gain greater utilization from the new equipment.

Usage Examples:

1. The program utilizes a complicated mathematical formula to process the data. (employs)

21
2. Let’s make sure we utilize our resources as efficiently as possible. (use wisely)

3. Make sure you utilize all of the knowledge you gained throughout the years. (apply)

4. I don’t understand why we haven’t utilized our new project management system. (put to use)

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Section 1 Test

1. The CEO outlined a __________________ to the creditors for how we would turn around the company and pay off all
outstanding loans.

2. It was amazing that the rundown and _________________ machinery still worked.

3. The _________________ charity treasurer was caught embezzling money.

4. I would ______________________ the program as being very reflective and insightful.

5. He was ________________ about taking the problem to court, there was no convincing him otherwise.

6. All of his ideas were so clear and easy to follow that he impressed everyone with his ______________ speaking
ability.

7. American automakers became too ________________ in the 70’s, which then allowed the Japanese automakers to
increase sales in the US.

8. It was evident to the panel that he did not spend much time on the architectural design because all of his concepts
seemed_________________.

9. The ________________ is on the project managers to make sure the team meets all deadlines.

10. Economists believe the recession would have been much worse without the unusually ______________ consumer
spending.

11. Everyone could see that the salesman’s friendly demeanor was just a _____________ to help him sell more product.

12. He was __________________ by his boss for showing up to the meeting a half-hour late.

13. His obsession with felt Elvis paintings was just one of his many __________________ .

14. We chose the accountants because they seemed more __________________ at addressing complicated tax issues.

15. It is _________________ on parents to teach their children the difference between right and wrong.

16. The two-week severance package provided little ____________________ to the laid-off workers.

17. Many people questioned whether the structural _________________ of the building would hold under the strain of an
earthquake.

18. The company has falsely tried to argue that it’s not a monopoly under the _________________ that it has numerous
competitors in each of its markets.

19. We need to get greater __________________ from our factory plant if we plan to increase our profitability.

20. The physicians paid more for insurance to ____________________ their malpractice liability.

21. The company’s goal is to ________________ its reputation as a leader in customer service for generations to come.

23
22. Due to recent stories about increased crime in the foreign country, many Americans were _________________ about
traveling there.

23. If it wasn’t for the great _________________ put upon him by his neighbors, he would have never moved the junk he
let pile up on his front yard.

24. I am not in a position to accept your offer to buy our company, but I do admit it sounds _________________.

25. It was well known that the winner had already been decided, and the election was only held _______________.

Section 1 Test Answers

1. framework
2. antiquated
3. depraved
4. characterize
5. adamant
6. lucid
7. complacent
8. contrived
9. onus
10. buoyant
11. facade
12. berated
13. idiosyncrasies
14. adept
15. incumbent
16. solace
17. integrity
18. pretense
19. utilization
20. mitigate
21. perpetuate
22. reticent
23. duress
24. tantalizing

24
25. pro forma

25
Section 2 Lessons

Adhere-(verb)-1. To follow a rule or instructions 2. To keep to an agreement 3. To hold firmly to a belief, idea,
or opinion 4. To stick to the surface or an object

Synonyms: comply, obey, conform, heed, stick, cling to, attach, support

Antonyms: loosen, separate

Tips & Usage: Adhere is derived from the Latin word cohaerere, from haerere, “to stick.” To help you
remember the meaning of adhere, think of the related word adhesive and sticking together or sticking to the
rules. An adhesive is something that sticks two things together. An adhesion is a union or cohesion between two
things. To adhere is "to stick," and it is a great word to use in the context of "sticking to the rules."

Usage Examples:

1. We are being more stringent in making sure people adhere to coding standards and product check-off
lists before we ship products. (conform, stick)

2. John forced himself to adhere to a strict diet in order to lose weight. However, for most people, this type
of weight loss is tough to maintain because adherence to strict diet guidelines can be very difficult.
(stick, comply)

3. It is important that everyone adheres to the guidelines set forth in the manual. (sticks, complies with)

4. He kept the same political views his whole life and adhered to the Republican Party by voting for every
Republican Presidential candidate. (stuck, supported)

Antithesis-(noun)-1. The exact opposite of something or someone 2. A use of words or phrases to show
contrast among those words to create a balanced effect

Synonyms: opposite, reverse, contradiction, contrast

Antonyms: parallel, similarity

Tips & Usage: Antithesis is derived from the Greek word antitithenai, which literally means “to set against."
Antithesis is a more sophisticated way of saying "opposite." Use antithesis to refer to someone who is the
complete "opposite" of another person.

Usage Examples:

1. His boisterous and loud manner is the antithesis of his predecessor’s more quiet and reserved style.
(opposite)

2. He is my complete antithesis; I like hitting problems head on, while he prefers skirting around difficult
issues. (opposite, contrast)

3. Sue is John’s antithesis; he is verbose and gregarious, while she is quiet and shy. (direct opposite)

26
 4. The candidate is the antithesis of his opponent when it comes to his vision and ideology. (extreme
opposite, reverse)

Arbitrary-(adjective)-1. Based on individual discretion and preference 2. Chosen or determined at random 3.

In law, based on the decision of a particular judge or court rather than in accordance with any rule or law 4.
With unlimited power 5. In mathematics, used to describe a constant that is not assigned a specific value

Synonyms: discretionary, optional, capricious, frivolous, erratic, dictatorial, autocratic, domineering, random

Antonyms: lenient, mild, modest, obliging

Tips & Usage: Arbitrary is derived from the Latin word arbitrarius, “uncertain, depending on the judgment of
an arbiter”; arbiter meaning "judge." You never know for certain how a judge will rule. Something that is
arbitrary is equally uncertain. Arbitrary is often used in a negative way to describe a set of rules or a ruling by a
judge that doesn't seem to follow a logical or legal thought process.

Usage Examples:

1. The dress code in our office is quite arbitrary; some people wear business suits, others show up in jeans
and t-shirts. (discretionary, optional, random)

2. It was clear from his arbitrary remarks that he hadn’t made a firm decision with regard to the issue at
hand. (frivolous, random)

3. The policy was quite arbitrary, and not too many employees paid it any attention. (discretionary)

4. The judge's ruling seemed arbitrary and not based on a strict interpretation of the law. (capricious,
random)

Blasé-(adjective)-1. Not impressed or worried by something, usually because of having experienced it before 2.
Indifferent to pleasure or excitement as a result of excessive indulgence or enjoyment

Synonyms: indifferent, unimpressed, unconcerned, aloof, apathetic

Antonyms: awed, wide-eyed, naive, unsophisticated

Tips & Usage: Blasé is best used to describe someone who is unimpressed by something that is impressive to
others. For a memory trick, note how blasé sounds like "blah and say," combined. If someone is blasé, then
"blah" is all he or she has to say about anything, even if it is cool and exciting. Blasé is synonymous with
nonchalant.

Usage Examples:

1. He was let go because he wasn’t serious about his job and walked around with a blasé attitude.
(indifferent, apathetic)

2. She flies first-class so much that she has become blasé about it, while I still find flying first-class fun
and exciting. (unimpressed)

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 3. Even though it was a very ritzy black-tie affair, Carmen acted so blasé that you’d think she attended
these types of parties weekly. (unimpressed, indifferent)

4. When the coach gave a victory speech for his team, he was so blasé it was as if he wasn’t even excited
about the win. (indifferent, aloof)

Circumspect-(adjective)-Unwilling to act without first weighing the risks or consequences

Synonyms: prudent, cautious, watchful, guarded, wary

Antonyms: audacious, foolhardy, careless, heedless

Tips & Usage: Circumspect is derived from the Latin word circumspicere, “to look around.” Think of looking
around (inspecting) suspiciously and carefully before making a decision or taking action. For a memory trick,
note how circumspect sounds "like search and inspect." Before making a decision, a person who is circumspect
will "search and inspect" carefully. Circumspect is synonymous with prudent and wary. See a detailed analysis
at prudent and wary.

Usage Examples:

1. Investors should be very circumspect if the top executives of a public corporation suddenly begin selling
large amounts of their company stock. (wary, watchful)

2. They have good reason to be circumspect about moving forward with this project, as there are so many
potential financial pitfalls. (cautious, guarded)

3. I once lost a lot of money on a similar deal, so this time, I was more circumspect. (cautious, prudent)

4. As a public speaker, she is very circumspect about being too opinionated in her presentations because
she never wants to offend anyone. (cautious, wary)

Cohesive-(adjective)-Sticking, holding, or working together as a unit

Synonyms: integrated, unified, harmonious

Antonyms: broken, separated

Tips & Usage: Cohesive is derived from the Latin word cohaerere, which means “to stick” (also the source of
the word adhere and adhesive). Think of a group that is coming together to work in unison.

Usage Examples:

1. Everyone worked together really well; it was a cohesive unit. (integrated, unified)

2. The company was finally able to create a cohesive management team that was able to work together in
harmony. (integrated)

28
 3. Greg’s department is a cohesive unit—each team member knows his or her role and works together with
the others to solve problems. (harmonious)

4. By giving everyone in the group equal say, she has created a cohesive team that works closely together
on every project. (harmonious, unified)

Compulsion-(adjective)-1. A force that makes somebody do something 2. A strong urge to do or say

something 3. An irrational motive for doing something against one's will

Synonyms: impulse, obsession, fixation, urge, duress, pressure, obligation, preoccupation

Antonyms: choice, election, option, preference

Tips & Usage: Compulsion is derived from the Latin word compellere, which means "to compel." When you
are compelled do to something because of some outward pressure, you have a compulsion.

Usage Examples:

1. I had a compulsion to quit my job after I received a bad review, but instead, I decided to stick with it and
improve my work ethic. (urge, impulse)

2. The problem was that he felt no compulsion to make a decision, so we waited for weeks before we got
an answer. (pressure, obligation, urgency)

3. I responded to the strange request under compulsion from my boss. (pressure, urging)

4. When I was pregnant, I had the strongest compulsion to eat ice cream and pickles at the same time.
(urge)

Converge-(verb)-1. To come together 2. To gather or meet at the same destination or close in upon 3. To
become gradually less different and eventually the same

Synonyms: meet, unite, assemble, rally, focus, concentrate

Antonyms: separate, disperse

Tips & Usage: Converge is a more sophisticated way to say "come together." You will often hear of people
converging on a location−usually for a conference, festival, or some other type of gathering. The related noun
convergence is a coming together of different things. You will often hear of a convergence of interests, ideas,
policies, or opinions.

Usage Examples:

1. The project team is planning to converge in the boardroom at noon. (meet, assemble)

2. Many economists predict a unified European economy whereby all markets will converge. (unite)

29
 3. All of the movie fanatics converged on the small town hosting the film festival. (assembled, closed in
upon)

4. NAFTA was a convergence of trade ideas and policies from Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.A. (coming
together)

Deprecate-(verb)-To express condemnation of something or somebody

Synonyms: deplore, criticize, disparage, object, censure, disapprove

Antonyms: commend, endorse

Tips & Usage: The adjective deprecating is commonly used in the expression "self-deprecating" to describe
someone making fun of or criticizing him or herself. The noun deprecation refers to the act of expressing
criticism.

Usage Examples:

1. Her self-deprecating comments were a way of dealing with her insecurities. (disparaging)

2. The critic had many deprecating comments about the movie, so very few people went to go see it.
(criticizing, disapproving)

3. The comedian decided to self-deprecate when most of his jokes fell flat. (disparage)

4. To deprecate a person’s work is to risk alienating that person. (criticize)

Earnest-(adjective)-1. Highly serious and sincere in manner or attitude 2. Done in a deeply sincere way 3. Of a
serious nature or worthy of serious attention 4. Not distracted

Synonyms: fervent, ardent, enthusiastic, deep, grave, serious, sincere, diligent

Antonyms: frivolous, flippant, capricious

Tips & Usage: Earnest can also be used as a noun to convey seriousness. When something is done "in earnest,"
it is done seriously and with focus. When somebody is earnest in his or her words or actions, it means he or she
is serious and sincere.

Usage Examples:

1. A good journalist’s earnest mission is to inform the public in the most objective way possible. (sincere)

2. If we stop wasting time and this project ever gets underway in earnest, it could be a huge success.
(seriousness)

3. The stalled court case is now supposed to start in earnest as early as next week. (seriousness)

30
 4. Gridlock is created when two sides are earnest about their beliefs and will not compromise. (fervent,
ardent)

Epiphany-(noun)-1. A usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of

something 2. An intuitive grasp of reality through something 3. An illuminating discovery 4. A revealing scene
or moment 5. An appearance or manifestation, especially of a divine being

Synonyms: revelation, insight, perception, manifestation

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Although often used to describe a divine vision, epiphany is commonly used to describe a major
idea or revelation. It is a fun word to use to denote the manifestation of a great idea.

Usage Examples:

1. He had worked to solve the problem all night, but had no success. Then, when staring into his morning
cup of coffee, he had an epiphany. (revelation)

2. While listening to the speaker, he had an epiphany of how he could revolutionize telecommunications.
(insight, revelation)

3. He had been thinking of ways to improve the company all weekend, and it wasn’t until late Sunday that
he finally had an epiphany. (insight, manifestation [of an idea])

4. Staring at the blank canvas, the artist had an epiphany for his next masterpiece. (inspiration, revelation)

Facet-(noun)-1. An aspect of something 2. Any of the faces of a cut gemstone 3. In anatomy, any smooth flat
area on a hard surface such as a bone or a tooth

Synonyms: aspect, phase, component, factor, side, element

Antonyms: whole

Tips & Usage: Facet is derived from the French word facette, literally meaning “little face." A diamond has
many "small faces," or facets. An issue can have many facets (faces). You need to know each facet (aspect) of
an issue to truly understand it. If something has multiple faces or dimensions, it is multifaceted.

Usage Examples:

1. This is a very complex issue with many different facets. (aspects, sides)

2. The consultants came in and learned every facet of our business before they made any
recommendations. (aspect, element)

3. The diamond had more than 60 facets, making it an absolutely brilliant stone. (sides)

4. He reviewed every facet of the issue to prepare for his debate. (element, aspect)

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Frank-(adjective)-1. Expressing true opinion 2. Blunt 3. Having or showing an appealingly open and honest
nature

Synonyms: candid, forthright, open, outspoken, direct, blunt

Antonyms: reserved, dishonest

Tips & Usage: When you are frank with someone, you are completely open and honest, without any
reservations. Frank is synonymous with candid and forthright. See additional analysis at candid.

Usage Examples:

1. To be quite frank with you, I don’t agree with your ideas for this project. (honest, direct)

2. The human resources manager was very frank with me after the interview and candidly explained his
reasons for not hiring me. (open)

3. I’m going to be frank: I disagree with every aspect of your plan. (candid, blunt)

4. I hoped I wasn't too frank when I told him exactly what I thought. (direct, outspoken)

Incur-(verb)-1. To experience something unpleasant 2. To become burdened with something, such as a debt
Synonyms: sustain, encounter, experience

Antonyms: avoid, elude, evade, escape

Tips & Usage: Incur is often used in accounting or finance, as in "to incur late fees." The related adjective
incurred is used to describe something that has been sustained, also applicable to finances: "incurred expenses."

Usage Examples:

1. They had to incur penalty fees because they sent the payment in late. (sustain)

2. If we don’t find a way to cut operating costs, we will incur significant losses. (experience)

3. The company will incur substantial storage costs if there is too much inventory on hand. (sustain)

4. She incurred the wrath of her colleague as a result of a negative comment she made about her
colleague’s work. (experienced)

Interactive-(adjective)-1. Mutually or reciprocally active 2. Involving the communication or collaboration of

people or things 3. Allowing or involving the exchange of information or instructions between a person and a
machine, such as a computer or a television

Synonyms: responsive, reciprocal, synergistic, interactional

Antonyms: one-sided

Tips & Usage: Interactive is most often heard when discussing "interactive media," such as computers or video
games. When technology is interactive, people are able to interact with it.

32
Usage Examples:

1. The music website offers some unique interactive applications that enable visitors to search for music
and find background information on individual artists. (responsive)

2. The Internet is an interactive medium. (interactional)

3. It was an interactive dialogue, with both sides contributing to the discussion. (synergistic)

4. A good teacher creates interactive lessons that require students to participate. (involved with input and
output)

Lucrative-(adjective)-Producing profit or wealth

Synonyms: profitable, worthwhile, fruitful, productive, moneymaking, gainful

Antonyms: unprofitable

Tips & Usage: Lucrative is derived from the Latin word lucrari, meaning “to gain.” If something, such as a
business enterprise, is said to be lucrative, it means it will be worthwhile and likely produce a good profit.
Lucrative is a more sophisticated way to say "worthwhile and profitable."

Usage Examples:

1. I think this partnership should prove to be lucrative for everyone involved. (profitable)

2. This looks like a lucrative opportunity that will be very profitable. (moneymaking, gainful)

3. I think this partnership will make money for all of us and will be a very lucrative venture. (worthwhile,
profitable)

4. Buying a new home may prove to be my most lucrative investment. (gainful, worthwhile)

Mollify-(verb)-1. To calm or soothe somebody who is angry or upset 2. To make something less intense or
severe 3. To make something less hard, rigid, or stiff

Synonyms: pacify, placate, soothe, calm, relieve, allay, ameliorate

Antonyms: exasperate

Tips & Usage: Mollify is derived from the Latin word mollis, meaning “soft.” When you mollify something,
you soften its impact. The word emollient comes from the same Latin root and means "softening, soothing," and
as a noun means "a softening solution," like a lotion.

Usage Examples:

1. The client is really upset; we need to think of how we can mollify his concerns. (calm)

2. In an effort to mollify his stress, Charlie often practiced yoga after work. (soothe, calm)

33
 3. The President tried to mollify his critics in the military by increasing military spending. (appease,
placate)

4. We need to send over the Director of Client Services to help mollify the client’s concerns. (allay)

Opportune-(adjective)-Suitable for a purpose or occurring at the right time

Synonyms: appropriate, fitting, apt, auspicious, fortuitous, timely, fortunate

Antonyms: inopportune

Tips & Usage: Opportune is derived from the Latin word opportunus, meaning “favorable.” An opportune time
for something is a favorable time. Think, "good opportunity."

Usage Examples:

1. The family dinner was an opportune time for the young couple to announce their engagement.
(appropriate)

2. Our morning meeting will provide an opportune time to discuss our strategic plan. (convenient, apt)

3. I’m trying to find the most opportune time to ask my boss for a promotion. (auspicious, apt)

4. We had just cleaned the house, so it was an opportune time to have guests drop by to see us.
(convenient, suitable)

Personify-(verb)-1. To be an embodiment or perfect example of something 2. To represent an abstract quality

as a human being 3. To ascribe human qualities to something that is not human

Synonyms: embody, illustrate, simulate, represent, characterize, portray, symbolize, typify, exemplify

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The related noun personification refers to someone who is a perfect example of something, as
well as to the attribution of human qualities to things or animals. Note that both words contain the word
"person," so think of something taking on a person's characteristics. Personify is synonymous with embody.

Usage Examples:

1. My grandmother meant so much to me because she personified kindness. (exemplified, embodied)

2. His strength of character, sound judgment, and high intelligence personify great leadership. (exemplify,
represent)

3. It is always funny to see animals personified in cartoon movies. (made human, portrayed as having
human qualities)

4. I had a dog who could personify happiness and sadness to the point I sometimes thought she was human.
(illustrate, portray)

34
Pretentious-(adjective)-1. Acting as though more important, valuable, or special than is warranted 2.
Appearing to have an unrealistically high self-image 3. Extravagantly and consciously showy or glamorous

Synonyms: pompous, ostentatious, showy, inflated, bombastic, affected, self-important

Antonyms: unpretentious, humble

Tips & Usage: For the word pretentious, think of pretending or putting on a facade of superiority. Pretentious is
similar to the words ostentatious, pompous, and bombastic. All four words are used to describe someone who is
overly "showy"−someone who pretends. Pretentious is best used to describe someone who is trying to sound or
appear more important than he or she is. Pompous is best used to describe someone who is too serious and too
full of self-importance: "Pompous people don't like to hear jokes because they take themselves too seriously."
Ostentatious is best used to describe someone who shows off his or her money or power in order to try to
impress others. Finally, bombastic is used to refer to people who try to impress others when speaking; they try
to use big words to sound intelligent and impressive, and are verbose and long-winded, but often with no
substance.

Usage Examples:

1. When he tried to use big vocabulary words, he sounded pretentious. (showy, affected)

2. It would be much easier to be a fan of his great athletic ability if he wasn’t so pretentious. (showy,
pompous)

3. She is so pretentious when she lifts her pinky while drinking a cup of tea! (affected, pompous)

4. He loves talking about his pretentious country house, which he never even visits. (ostentatious, showy)

Quantitative-(adjective)-1. Relating to, concerning, or based on the amount or number of something 2.

Capable of being measured or expressed in numerical terms

Synonyms: measurable, numerical, expressible as a quantity

Antonyms: qualitative

Tips & Usage: Something that is quantitative is objective and can be measured through numbers. On the other
hand, something that is qualitative is subjective and based on less quantifiable (measurable) analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. The report had a lot of numbers, charts, and other quantitative data. (measurable)

2. We need quantitative research based on objective questions and measurable data. (measurable)

3. I believe in free markets, and I believe countries should be able to export and import products without
any quantitative limitations. (numerical)

4. I need to see objective research and detailed, quantitative analysis of this issue before I can make a
determination. (measurable, numerical)

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Revere-(verb)-To treat or regard somebody with admiration and deep respect
Synonyms: admire, esteem, regard, respect, venerate

Antonyms: disrespect, disdain, contemn

Tips & Usage: Revere is derived from the Latin word revereri, meaning “to be in awe of.” The adjective form,
revered, means "respected or looked up to" and is actually used more often than the verb. Memory trick: think
of Paul Revere, who will forever be revered by children who read of his bravery in the Revolutionary War.
Revere is also closely related to the noun reverence, meaning "deep respect."

Usage Examples:

1. I revere doctors who donate their time and resources to help those who cannot afford medical care.
(admire, respect)

2. The once revered CEO lost the respect of his employees when he admitted to embezzling funds for his
own profit. (admired, respected)

3. I have great reverence for anyone who gives up a high-paying, corporate job to become a teacher. (high
regard, respect)

4. Paul Revere is revered by every child who reads about his courageous horse rides. (admired)

Sporadic-(adjective)-Occurring occasionally at intervals that have no apparent pattern

Synonyms: occasional, infrequent, unconnected, scattered, uncommon, irregular

Antonyms: frequent, regular

Tips & Usage: Sporadic is derived from the Greek word sporas, meaning “scattered.” If something only
happens sporadically, it happens only occasionally, but without any noticeable pattern.

Usage Examples:

1. The ambiguous economic report caused sporadic buying on wall street. (scattered)

2. The police's sporadic attempts to sweep the drug pushers off the streets proved ineffective. (infrequent,
occasional)

3. The WTO meeting was disrupted by sporadic protests and riots. (scattered, occasional)

4. The weatherman forecasted sporadic showers throughout the day. (occasional, scattered)

Tantamount-(adjective)-Equivalent to a particular thing in effect, outcome, or value−the same as

Synonyms: equal, equivalent, identical, parallel, synonymous

Antonyms: opposite, unlike

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Tips & Usage: Tantamount is derived from the Anglo-French word tant amunter, meaning “to amount to as
much.” It is often used as a more sophisticated way to say "equal" or "the same as." Note: do not confuse
tantamount with paramount. Paramount means "of great importance," while tantamount means "equal to."
Tantamount is often used to describe actions that are equivalent to illegal acts: "tantamount to stealing, perjury,
embezzling."

Usage Examples:

1. The way the executives pulled money from the company to pay for their bonuses was tantamount to
stealing, in the employees’ minds. (equivalent)

2. Many felt the questionable accounting practices of the company were tantamount to corporate fraud.
(equal)

3. In my mind, his refusal to testify was tantamount to an admission of guilt. (equal)

4. I believe his testimony was tantamount to perjury. (equal)

Vacillate-(verb)-1. To be indecisive or irresolute 2. To sway from side to side

Synonyms: waver, hesitate, fluctuate, sway

Antonyms: decide, resolve, settle

Tips & Usage: Vacillate comes from the Latin word vacillare, "to sway, waver." Think of swaying back and
forth. It's a good word to use when a person is undecided about something or has wavered in his or her opinion.

Usage Examples:

1. I know he vacillates between staying in the US and working oversees. (wavers)

2. Compounding the problem, government officials vacillated on different ways they could provide
disaster relief to the tornado victims. (wavered)

3. She usually vacillates for a period of time before making her decisions. (hesitates)

4. My opinion of my boss vacillates depending on my mood. (fluctuates)

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Section 2 Test

1. It is important that everyone _________________ to the guidelines set forth in the manual.
2. The stalled court case is now supposed to start in ______________, as early as next week.
3. He was loud and extroverted, the __________________ of his quiet and introverted colleague.
4. This is a very complex issue with many different _________________.
5. The company had been burned before on a similar deal, so this time they were more_________.
6. The clients are really upset. We need to think of how we can _______________ their concerns.
7. Everyone worked together really well; it was a __________________ unit.
8. He made us wait for weeks before he gave us a decision, clearly he felt no ___________ to give us a
response.
9. He made several jokes about himself, and numerous other self- ______________ remarks.
10. Many felt the inept accounting practices of the company were ______________ to corporate fraud.
11. He had been thinking of ways to improve the company all weekend and it wasn’t until late Sunday that
he finally had an ________________.
12. I’m going to be _____________, I disagree with every aspect of your plan.
13. Because they sent the ticket in late, they had to ______________ penalty fees.
14. The website had games, quizzes, polls, and other cool _______________ features.
15. The project team is planning to _____________ in the board room at noon.
16. He was let go because he wasn’t serious about his job and walked around with a _____________
attitude.
17. I think this partnership will make us money and become a very __________________ venture.
18. I know he ______________ between staying in the US and working oversees.
19. I’m trying to think of the most _______________ time to ask my boss for a promotion.
20. My grandmother meant so much to me; she ________________ kindness.
21. He never learned the right vocabulary words for success, so when he tried to use big words he came off
sounding________________.
22. The report had a lot of numbers, charts, and other ________________ data.
23. When the CEO first came on, he was disliked by his employees. However, once he turned the company
around, he was______________ by everyone.
24. The ambiguous economic report caused _______________ buying on wall street.
25. The policy was quite ______________, and not too many employees paid it any attention.

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Section 2 Test Answers

1. adhere
2. earnest
3. antithesis
4. facets
5. circumspect
6. mollify
7. cohesive
8. compulsion
9. deprecating
10. tantamount
11. epiphany
12. frank
13. incur
14. interactive
15. converge
16. blasé
17. lucrative
18. vacillates
19. opportune
20. personified
21. pretentious
22. quantitative
23. revered
24. sporadic
25. arbitrary

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Section 3 Lessons

Admonish-(verb)-1. To rebuke or scold somebody mildly, but earnestly 2. To advise somebody to do, or more
often, not to do something 3. To indicate duties or obligations

Synonyms: reprove, chide, scold, rebuke, warn, advise, caution

Antonyms: commend, praise, compliment

Tips & Usage: Admonish is derived from the Latin word monere, meaning “to warn.” It is also the source for
the word monitor. To admonish is to scold and rebuke, but not in a harsh manner. It's more to help people learn
from a mistake so they don't make it again. That is, to warn somebody of potential harm. The idea of
admonishing a child for not looking before he crosses the street is a good example. Admonish is related to the
word rebuke.

Usage Examples:

1. They were admonished against making any self-incriminating statements in court. (advised, cautioned)

2. The mother admonished her child for eating cookies before dinner. (scolded, chided)

3. The coach admonished the players for their poor play. (rebuked)

4. The judge is known for admonishing attorneys who lead witnesses in his court. (reproving, scolding)

Adroit-(adjective)-Displaying physical or mental skill

Synonyms: skilled, adept, clever, inventive, expert

Antonyms: maladroit, clumsy, unskilled, dense

Tips & Usage: Adroit is derived from the French word à droit, meaning “by right.” The meaning “skillful”
evolved from the idea of doing something "right"−correctly, properly, or well. Adroit is related to adept and
deft.

Usage Examples:

1. The repair was not difficult for the adroit handyman. (skilled, adept)

2. Barry's adroit driving helped to avoid a serious accident. (skilled, expert)

3. The Senator has become a politically adroit advocate of overdue reforms, bringing several important
bills before Congress. (skilled, clever)

4. The attorney was known as an adroit litigator. (clever, adept)

Apathetic-(adjective)-1. Marked by a lack of interest 2. Showing little or no emotion or animation

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Synonyms: spiritless, indifferent, unemotional, impassive, listless, dull, dispassionate

Antonyms: passionate, alert, receptive, impressionable, aroused, ardent

Tips & Usage: The noun apathy refers to a lack of enthusiasm or interest. Apathetic and apathy are also closely
related to the word pathetic. Think of someone pathetically sitting on his or her couch in apathy (indifference,
lack of enthusiasm).

Usage Examples:

1. Many young people are apathetic about voting because they don’t think that they can make a difference
in the political arena. (indifferent)

2. The decrease in computer sales is due largely to an apathetic market no longer impressed by the latest
bells and whistles. (impassive, indifferent)

3. The speaker failed to motivate the apathetic crowd. (listless, dispassionate)

4. If you continue to be so apathetic about your job, you'll eventually get fired. (indifferent, dispassionate)

Ardent-(adjective)-1. Characterized by strong passion or emotion 2. Feeling or showing great enthusiasm 3.

Glowing or shining like fire

Synonyms: eager, enthusiastic, passionate, impassioned, intense, fiery, shining, glowing

Antonyms: cool, feeble, apathetic, impassive, dispassionate

Tips & Usage: Ardent is essentially a more sophisticated way of saying "passionate." It is derived from the
Latin word ardere, meaning “to burn.” This is also the source for the word arson. Think, "burning with
enthusiasm." Ardent is also synonymous with fervid, fervent, vehement, and zealous. See a detailed analysis of
these synonyms at fervent.

Usage Examples:

1. He was an ardent supporter of the President and had been loyal to him throughout his political career.
(enthusiastic, intense)

2. The ardent fan paid three times the face value of the concert ticket to see his favorite band live.
(passionate, eager)

3. Her ardent gaze caught his eye from across the room. (intense, fiery)

4. Her ardent enthusiasm was what eventually won her the job over the other candidates. (eager,
impassioned)

Bode-(verb)-To be a sign of something to come

Synonyms: signify, indicate, forebode, foreshadow, portend

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Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Bode is derived from the Old English word bodian, meaning “to announce or foretell.” Think of
a message from the future that indicates what will happen. Bode is often used in conjunction with the word
well−something "bodes well" for the future.

Usage Examples:

1. The positive, long-term future for digital marketing bodes well for companies that provide ad-
deployment services. (indicates, portends)

2. Trends like low interest rates and strong consumer confidence bode well for the future of the economy.
(portend, signify)

3. The progress we have made on this project bodes well for our client's deadline. (indicates)

4. The recent drop in sales does not bode well for the future of our company. (portend)

Caveat-(noun)-1. A warning against certain acts 2. In law, an official request to a court not to proceed with a
case without notice to the person making the request

Synonyms : caution, warning, admonition, sign, condition

Antonyms :

Tips & Usage: Caveat is derived from the Latin word for “let him or her beware,” as well as from cavere,
meaning “to heed.” Think, "warning." Caveat can be a more sophisticated way of saying "warning" or
"caution." Caveat is also used to protect a person's statement. For example, "I will provide you with an answer,
with one caveat: I am not an expert in this subject."

Usage Examples:

1. Holding out for a higher salary before accepting a job offer has one major caveat: someone else might
get the job instead. (caution)

2. My office distributed a memo with a caveat against using the fax machine for personal business.
(warning)

3. I will do the interview with the caveat that I have final say as to whether the interview is printed or not.
(condition)

4. The law was created as a caveat against unfair business practices. (caution, admonition)

Concert-(noun)-1. Agreement in purpose or action 2. A group of people or things in agreement or harmony 3.

A musical performance

Synonyms: agreement, unity, accord, collaboration, cooperation

Antonyms: disagreement, discord

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Tips & Usage: Concert is derived from the Italian word concerto, meaning “harmonyagreement.” Concerted is
the related adjective and means "cooperative" or "united." When people come together in concert, there is
usually a consensus of opinions or ideas.

Usage Examples:

1. All the different divisions worked in concert to provide a seamless solution. (collaboration, accord)

2. It was a concerted effort that had everyone working in cooperation. (cooperative, harmonious, unified)

3. We will all need to work in concert to complete this project. (collaboration, unity)

4. It was a cohesive group, and everyone worked in concert to get the project done on time. (accord,
collaboration)

Conviction-(noun)-1. A firmly held belief 2. Firmness of belief or opinion 3. A final judgment of guilty in a
criminal case and the punishment that is imposed

Synonyms: belief, opinion, confidence, certitude, certainty, condemnation, sentencing, penalty

Antonyms: uncertainty, doubt, dubiety

Tips & Usage: Think of the word convince. When you are "convincing" someone, you are trying to change that
person's mind, or "conviction." If you do something with conviction, you do it with confidence and certitude.

Usage Examples:

1. His conviction in the business's success was so strong that he was willing to go into debt in order to
create the product. (belief, confidence)

2. He would not make a good CEO because he has a hard time making decisions, and he generally leads
without conviction. (certitude, confidence)

3. My conviction that this is a good idea cannot be changed. (belief, opinion)

4. He was clearly guilty, and his conviction came as no surprise. (sentencing)

Desultory-(adjective)-1. Marked by the lack of a definite plan, regularity, or purpose 2. Happening in a

random, disorganized, or unmethodical way 3. Aimlessly passing from one thing to another 4. Disappointing in
progress or performance

Synonyms: aimless, random, disconnected, erratic, purposeless, unplanned, sporadic

Antonyms: assiduous, methodical, orderly, systematic, constant, invariable

Tips & Usage: Desultory is derived from the Latin word desultorius, which literally refers to a circus rider who
leaps from horse to horse. Think of leaping from plan to plan or idea to idea, without any plan or purpose. For a
memory trick, note how desultory sounds like "this dull story." Now, imagine one of your friends is telling a
story in a desultory manner, jumping from one part to the next without any method or sequence to the story.

43
After going on for awhile, he admits, "This is a dull story." You respond with "It would not have been a dull
story if you weren't so desultory in your delivery."

Usage Examples:

1. All of his ideas were desultory and couldn’t possibly form one, cohesive campaign. (random,
disconnected)

2. What started out as a formal business discussion, ended with a desultory conversation characteristic of a
cocktail party. (purposeless, random)

3. She had a hard time focusing on the task at hand due to the desultory thoughts running through her
mind. (aimless, disconnected)

4. Without a planned agenda, the family's road trip vacation had them stopping in desultory locations
across the country. (random, unplanned)

Eccentric-(adjective)-1. Unconventional or unusual 2. Not having a common center

Synonyms: odd, outlandish, whimsical, off-center, unusual, peculiar, quirky

Antonyms: concentric, conventional, ordinary, normal

Tips & Usage: Eccentric is also a noun meaning "an unusual person." When thinking of the word eccentric,
think of "center" and remember that it refers to someone or something that is off-center. Referring to someone
as eccentric can be either a compliment or critique, depending on your point of view. Eccentric is used to
describe people who seem unique, strange, or peculiar because they do what is considered different than the
norm. Eccentric is related to the word idiosyncratic. See idiosyncrasy for additional analysis. For a memory
trick, note how eccentric sounds like "Accent Rick." Now, imagine you have a friend name Rick who is
considered eccentric (unique, peculiar, strange) because he speaks with a British accent, and he has never even
been to England. Because of this, you call your eccentric friend Rick, "Accent Rick."

Usage Examples:

1. His quirky and eccentric manner never failed to make people laugh. (unusual)

2. Her eccentric and funky fashion designs appeal to young people. (whimsical, quirky)

3. The chess team was a diverse and eccentric group of individuals. (quirky, off-center)

4. He is an eccentric who enjoys shocking people with his outlandish habits and whimsical clothing.
(unusual person)

Equanimity-(noun)-1. Steadiness of mind, especially under stress 2. Calm temperament

Synonyms: balance, composure, poise, dignity, aplomb, assurance, serenity

Antonyms: anxiety, agitation, discomposure

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Tips & Usage: To help you remember the definition of equanimity, think of equal, as in balanced or even. If
you handle something with equanimity, you are remaining balanced and composed.

Usage Examples:

1. Great leaders are able to face turbulent times with equanimity and remain strong under stress.
(composure, poise)

2. It was a difficult problem to solve, but he handled it with equanimity, and his composure paid off when
he found the solution. (composure, aplomb)

3. She faced her critics with equanimity and impressed them with her self-assurance. (dignity, composure)

4. His equanimity was impressive, considering the stress he was under. (serenity, composure)

Facetious-(adjective)-Humorous in a sarcastic way

Synonyms: humorous, clever, sarcastic, ironic, witty, silly, jocose

Antonyms: serious, matter-of-fact, lugubrious

Tips & Usage: Facetious originates from French word facétie, meaning “joke.” Think, "joking in terms of
pretending something is true, while knowing that it is false." Facetious can be used as a more sophisticated way
of saying "sarcastic." Think of trying to put a humorous face on something when being facetious.

Usage Examples:

1. Jeff told me he didn’t like the movie at all, so he must have been facetious when he recommended it to
his friends. (sarcastic)

2. Her facetious remarks made it clear that she wasn’t taking the meeting seriously. (jocose, joking)

3. No, he wasn’t serious, he was just being facetious. (sarcastic)

4. Sometimes he makes jokes with such a serious expression on his face that I can't tell if he's being serious
or facetious. (humorous, silly)

Frivolous-(adjective)-1. Not serious in content, attitude, or behavior 2. Lacking in intellectual substance and
not worth serious consideration 3. Silly and trivial

Synonyms: silly, trivial, paltry, petty, senseless

Antonyms: important, relevant, pertinent

Tips & Usage: Frivolous is often used in law, when describing lawsuits that seem petty or senseless. The noun
frivolity refers to pettiness, fickleness, or general lack of seriousness.

Usage Examples:

45
 1. The judge dismissed the case as frivolous and warned the prosecution against filing such silly lawsuits in
the future. (petty)

2. When you’re trying to save money, it’s important to watch your spending and avoid frivolous purchases.
(senseless, silly)

3. The frivolity with which he approached the serious problem showed that he wasn't very concerned.
(silliness, lack of seriousness)

4. Please take your frivolous argument elsewhere; I don't have the time or patience for such trivial matters
today. (petty, silly)

Indigent-(adjective)-Extremely poor
Synonyms: destitute, impoverished, needy

Antonyms: affluent, wealthy

Tips & Usage: Indigent is derived from the Latin word indigere, literally meaning “to lack in,” which comes
from egere, meaning “to need.” Indigent is used to describe a person who is so poor he or she can't help him or
herself and need the help and support of others.

Usage Examples:

1. The United States has a history of helping indigent countries through humanitarian and economic
programs. (impoverished)

2. Those who are indigent can often receive help at their local shelter. (destitute)

3. The charity was formed to help feed the indigent people starving in Africa. (destitute)

4. The once indigent young man worked his way from living on the streets to being one of the most
affluent people in the community. (impoverished, needy)

Interim-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Serving during an intermediate interval of time (n.)-1. The time between
one event or period and another

Synonyms: (adj.) temporary, transitional, acting, pro tem, (n.) meantime, interval, interlude

Antonyms: permanent

Tips & Usage: Interim is often used in the phrase "in the interim." It's a more sophisticated way to say "in the
meantime." Interim can also refer to an official who is standing in for another official for a brief period of time.

Usage Examples:

1. When the Prime Minister collapsed of a heart attack, John Smyth was appointed interim Prime Minister
until elections could be held. (temporary, pro tem)

2. The company had to rely on an interim solution until the full plan was in place. (temporary)

46
 3. We're waiting for the final approval on this project. In the interim, let's finish the project timeline.
(meantime)

4. Luke will serve as our interim CEO until a replacement is found by the board. (acting, transitional)

Laissez-faire-(adjective,noun)-(adj.)-1. Characterized by an attitude of freedom for people to do as they

choose (n.)-1. Attitude or policy of minimal restriction 2. A doctrine opposing governmental interference in
economic affairs

Synonyms: (adj.) unrestrained, nonrestrictive, (n.) individualism, nonintervention, noninterference, unrestricted,

leave alone

Antonyms: restricted

Tips & Usage: Laissez-fair comes from the French term, laissez faire, which literally means "let people choose."
The term has been adopted into English, and it often describes an attitude or policy of minimal restriction.

Usage Examples:

1. The governor’s laissez-faire approach to public opinion does not sit well with voters. (unrestricted,
unintervening)

2. The creative director’s laissez-faire attitude toward his creative team produced some of the most original
ideas in the advertising industry because it enabled the team to work without restrictions.
(nonrestrictive)

3. Her garden looked surprisingly beautiful in spite of her hands off, laissez-faire approach.
(unintervening)

4. The parents' laissez-faire approach to child rearing allowed their children to express their individuality
and become independent at an early age. (unrestricted, noninterference)

Moot-(adjective, verb, noun)-(adj.)-1. Open to argument or debate 2. Irrelevant or unimportant (v.)-1. To have
a formal argument or suggest formally (n.)-1. A debate on hypothetical issues (usually in law school)

Synonyms: (adj.) arguable, disputable, debatable, contestable, irrelevant, (v.) broach, argue, debate

Antonyms: (adj.) inarguable, indisputable

Tips & Usage: Moot is most commonly used as an adjective, as in "That is a moot point." The word can be
looked at as a contradiction of itself since it means both "arguable" and "not worth arguing." The argument is
moot because it could be argued forever, so it is debatable, but it's also not worth debating, since neither side
will ever win−it is pointless to discuss the argument further.

Usage Examples:

1. Whether the profit model will work or not is a moot point if we don’t get more funding to keep the
company afloat. (irrelevant)

47
 2. We could argue about this forever; it’s a moot point, in my opinion. (contestable, arguable)

3. My boss's strong comments rendered my opinion moot. (irrelevant)

4. Whether or not you wanted to attend the tennis match is now moot because it's been cancelled due to
rain. (irrelevant)

Orchestrate-(verb)-1. To organize or plan something (for a desired effect) 2. To arrange or compose music for
an orchestra

Synonyms: organize, coordinate, facilitate, plan, mastermind, harmonize, symphonize, integrate, compose

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Orchestrate is often used in reference to a complex undertaking, and often (though not always)
used in a negative sense, as when referring to a dishonest scheme. Think of how the music of an orchestra must
be well organized to avoid sounding chaotic. To orchestrate something is to carefully plan it. The related noun
orchestration refers to the plan itself.

Usage Examples:

1. James orchestrated the plan for a hostile takeover of his company’s main competitor. (masterminded)

2. The event was carefully orchestrated to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible.
(coordinated, planned)

3. The PR ploy to draw attention away from the negative news was an impressive orchestration in damage
control. (organized plan)

4. The composer was asked to orchestrate a new musical piece to be used in the movie. (compose)

Perspective-(noun)-1. Point of view 2. Objective assessment of a situation 3. The appearance of objects to the
observer

Synonyms: viewpoint, position, angle, attitude, bias, outlook, range, span

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Perspective is derived from the Latin word perspectivus, meaning “optical.” It’s also derived
from the Latin term perspicere, meaning “to look closely." If you say you need to "gain some perspective," you
mean that you need to gain objectivity or look at the situation from an unbiased standpoint. A person's
perspective is his or her viewpoint or outlook on a situation.

Usage Examples:

1. Each member of the team brought an entirely different perspective to the table, and all points of view
were addressed during the meeting. (position, viewpoint)

2. I think we should distance ourselves from this issue in order to gain some perspective. (outlook,
objectivity)

48
 3. Our cultural differences caused us to have different perspectives on world issues. (attitudes, outlooks)

4. We'll have a beautiful perspective of the valley from atop that mountain. (view, outlook)

Prevalent-(adjective)-Commonly encountered and generally accepted

Synonyms: common, accepted, current, prevailing, general, predominant, widespread

Antonyms: unusual, atypical, uncommon

Tips & Usage: Prevalent is derived from the same Latin word as prevail and prevailing. Something that is
prevalent is widespread and can be commonly seen or encountered. Prevailing is a better word to use when
describing widespread opinion, while prevalent is better when describing anything tangible.

Usage Examples:

1. Christianity is the most prevalent religion in South America, while Islam is most prevalent in the Middle
East. (common, predominant)

2. Until the technology becomes more prevalent in this part of the world, I don’t think it will be a
profitable market for us. (common, widespread)

3. Cosmetic surgery is quite prevalent in Southern California. (accepted, common)

4. The prevailing opinion around the dinner table was that the meal had been delicious. (general, prevalent)

Quintessential-(adjective)-1. Representing the perfect example of a class or quality 2. The essence of a thing
in its purest and most concentrated form

Synonyms: fundamental, basic, ultimate, essential, typical, perfect

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: When something typifies a perfect experience, it is said to be quintessential. Quintessential can
also describe a person who is the perfect example of something, like a salesperson or athlete. However, the
adjective consummate may be a better choice in this context. The noun quintessence refers to the most typical
or perfect representation of something.

Usage Examples:

1. Sitting at a sidewalk café with a view of the Eiffel Tower is a quintessential Parisian experience.
(ultimate, essential, typical)

2. It was a quintessential Italian meal: his Italian mom served us five courses and insisted we eat every
bite. (typical, classic)

3. He is the quintessential salesman−always talking about his product and trying to make the sale. (perfect,
ultimate)

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 4. This Christmas, I don't want to have the quintessential holiday party; I'd like to do something more
original. (basic, typical)

Rhetoric-(noun)-1. Speech or writing used to influence or persuade 2. Complex or elaborate language that
sounds pretentious 3. Empty and pointless talk

Synonyms: eloquence, delivery, articulation, pomposity, affectation, oratory, grandiloquence, loftiness

Antonyms: simplicity (in speech or writing)

Tips & Usage: Rhetoric literally means the "art of oratory" or "of an orator," referring to public speaking. Think
of "the art of public speaking" when learning this word. These days, it is generally used to refer to "empty talk."
If you ask a rhetorical question, you are asking it merely for effect, not because you actually want an answer.
The word is often heard in discussions about the political process because many people in the political arena
seem to use many words without saying a whole lot−they give the public rhetoric.

Usage Examples:

1. The CEO’s grand plans are just rhetoric if not followed by implementation. (empty talk, loftiness)

2. The speech was typical political rhetoric: a lot of proposed programs without any accountability. (empty
talk, grandiloquence)

3. Do you really want an answer, or was that a rhetorical question? (stated for effect, empty of meaning)

4. The rhetoric of her speech was articulate and eloquent, and I'm sure she influenced a great many people
to make a contribution to the charity. (delivery, oratory)

Staunch-(adjective)-Steadfast in loyalty or principle

Synonyms: firm, constant, stable, dependable, faithful, resolute

Antonyms: shaky, unsteady

Tips & Usage: Staunch is derived from the old French word estanchier, which literally means “to stop.” In
politics, one often hears of "staunch Republicans" or "staunch Democrats," which means that they are stopped
(firm) in their beliefs and have held the same position for a long time−they're not budging from their stance.

Usage Examples:

1. The actor is a staunch supporter of environmental protection programs. (firm)

2. My wife has always been a staunch Democrat, so she surprised me when she voted for a Republican.
(faithful, resolute)

3. He has been my only staunch supporter during my difficult times. (constant, dependable)

4. The democrat was known as a staunch Liberal who was set in his beliefs. (resolute)

Temper-(verb)-1. To make less harsh or to moderate 2. To harden or toughen through hardship

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Synonyms: soften, pacify, assuage, adapt, adjust, blend, mitigate, moderate, toughen

Antonyms: exacerbate

Tips & Usage: Temper is derived from the Latin word temperare, which means “to mix or restrain yourself.”
The word temper is commonly known as a noun that refers to the disposition to exhibit anger or the angry
outburst itself. As a verb, it can seem somewhat contradictory because it means both "soften and mitigate" (you
can temper sadness with humor) and "toughen through hardship" (she was tempered by poverty). It can also
mean "to harden by reheating and cooling" (as with steel).

Usage Examples:

1. There is really no solid evidence that an interest rate cut would temper the economic downturn at this
point. (assuage, mitigate)

2. She tried to temper her criticism of me with kindness, but it only made me feel patronized. (soften)

3. A balanced portfolio is still the best means of tempering financial risk. (mitigating)

4. I hoped to temper her sadness by taking her out for ice cream. (assuage, lessen)

Vehement-(adjective)-1. Showing conviction or strong feeling 2. Done with vigor or force

Synonyms: fervent, impassioned, ardent, powerful, intense, emphatic

Antonyms: feeble, passionless, stoic

Tips & Usage: The adverb form of vehement is vehemently and often refers to the way a person expresses his or
her opinion. Vehement is synonymous with the words fervent, fervid, ardent, and zealous. All these words mean
"deeply passionate." However, vehement is unique in that it is often used specifically to comment on a person's
conviction. See fervent for a detailed analysis of these synonyms.

Usage Examples:

1. He vehemently denied any involvement in the scandal. (emphatically, passionately)

2. With their opposing opinions, the two men had a vehement debate on the issues. (fervent, impassioned)

3. A vehement wind tore through our little town and uprooted several trees. (powerful)

4. His vehement patriotism and devotion to his country could not be shaken. (impassioned, emphatic)

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Section 3 Test

1. The attorney was known as an _____________ litigator.

2. The coach _____________ the players for their poor play.

3. The speaker failed to motivate the _____________ crowd.

4. Low interest rates and low unemployment should _____________ well for the future of the economy.

5. Although he had always been an __________ supporter of the Republican party, he voted for the
Democratic candidate.

6. We will all need to work in _____________ to complete this project.

7. The politician was criticized for never making a stand on important issues and failing to lead with
_____________ .

8. What started as a focused and meaningful discussion ended in a random and __________ conversation.

9. Ted Turner is known for his outlandish and _____________ personality.

10. Great leaders are able to face turbulent times with _____________.

11. The public relations campaign was _____________ as a means of diverting the public’s attention.

12. No, he wasn’t serious, he was just being ______________.

13. Everyone agrees we need reform to limit the number of _____________ and questionable lawsuits that
are bogging down our court system.

14. I recommend buying the stock with the _____________ that all investments bare some risk.

15. The charity was formed to help feed the poor and _____________ people starving in Africa.

16. John will serve as our _____________ CEO until a replacement is made by the board.

17. Well, until you can prove to me otherwise, I think this debate is _____________.

18. Each member of the diverse board brought a unique _____________ to the discussion.

19. Until the technology becomes more __________ in this part of the world, I don’t think it will be a
profitable market for us.

20. They went to Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef, and toured the Outback; it was a __________ trip to
Australia.

21. People who are self-motivated often thrive under ___________ type management.

22. It was a typical political speech filled with too much ___________.

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23. The Democrat was known as a ___________ Liberal who was set in his beliefs.

24. Something drastic is needed to help __________ the conflict in the Middle East.

25. He had one strategy in mind and was _______________ opposed to any other ideas.

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Section 3 Test Answers

1. adroit
2. admonished
3. apathetic
4. bode
5. ardent
6. concert
7. conviction
8. desultory
9. eccentric
10. equanimity
11. orchestrated
12. facetious
13. frivolous
14. caveat
15. indigent
16. interim
17. moot
18. perspective
19. prevalent
20. quintessential
21. laissez-faire
22. rhetoric
23. staunch
24. temper
25. vehemently

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Section 4 Lessons

Altruistic-(adjective)-Showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others

Synonyms: kind, generous, charitable, philanthropic, selfless

Antonyms: selfish, inconsiderate, unkind

Tips & Usage: Altruistic is derived from the French word altruism which means "other people." So, when you
are altruistic, you are giving to other people−you are committing a selfless act. The noun altruism is the act of
kindness or generosity.

Usage Examples:

1. It seems that older people tend to be more altruistic than younger people when it comes to donating
money to charities. (generous, charitable)

2. In an act of pure altruism, Michael decided to leave his estate to a charity. (generosity, philanthropy)

3. She felt an altruistic sense of duty when it came to her favorite charity. (selfless, charitable)

4. It was part of her altruistic nature to be a volunteer and give money to charitable organizations. (kind,
selfless)

Aesthetic-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Concerning or characterized by an appreciation of beauty or good taste

(n.)-1. A theory as to what is beautiful

Synonyms: (adj.) tasteful, beautiful, pleasing, cultured, refined, artistic

Antonyms: (adj.) unaesthetic, ugly

Tips & Usage: Aesthetic came from the Greek words for "perceptual" and "to perceive." Today, the word
relates to the "perception of beauty." When something is "aesthetically pleasing," it is attractive.

Usage Examples:

1. It wasn’t the prettiest web site, but its user-friendly interface made up for the lack of aesthetic images.
(pleasing, refined)

2. Gourmet food should look aesthetic as well as taste wonderful. (beautiful, pleasing)

3. The Zen garden was aesthetically pleasing to the eye. (beautifully, artistically)

4. It was important to her that the furniture in her house be aesthetic, not just functional. (beautiful,
tasteful)

Apathy-(noun)-1. The absence of emotion or enthusiasm 2. Inability to feel 3. Lack of interest

Synonyms: unconcern, indifference, stoicism, insensibility, passivism, listlessness

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Antonyms: passion, enthusiasm, zeal, curiosity

Tips & Usage: Apathy is derived from the word pathos, which means "feeling." When you add the negative "a"
(without) to pathos, apathy means "without feeling." The related adjective apathetic is used to describe people
who are indifferent or uncaring.

Usage Examples:

1. His apathy toward his job eventually got him fired. (indifference, unconcern)

2. The politician was nervous because he was seeing signs of apathy from his loyal constituents.
(passiveness, indifference)

3. She was apathetic toward her education and never got good grades. (indifferent, unconcerned)

4. I was surprised at his apathy and lack of emotion on the fun day I had planned for us; I thought he would
be more enthusiastic. (stoicism, indifference)

Bombastic-(adjective)-1. Ostentatiously lofty 2. Given to large talk

Synonyms: pompous, ostentatious, oratorical, overblown

Antonyms: unimpassioned, unaffected

Tips & Usage: It may help you to remember that bombastic means "overblown" by thinking of a "bomb."
Someone who is bombastic is so full of himself, so pretentious, and so pompous that he is about to explode like
a bomb. A bombastic person will explode with verbose, long-winded speech that is meant to impress, but
usually falls flat for lack of substance. Bombastic should be reserved for people who are pretentious, pompous,
ostentatious, and verbose all wrapped into one. Bombastic is a special critique reserved for exceptionally
egotistical people who are full of themselves and express it with their speech. See pretentious for additional
analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. The chairman was given to bombastic remarks and often embarrassed the other board members during
presentations. (overblown, pompous)

2. His bombastic comments often offend or annoy people. (ostentatious, pompous)

3. The bombastic CEO caused another controversy with his outlandish comments. (pompous)

4. His bombastic remarks often created controversy because people thought he was serious, when in fact,
he was just being pompous and showy. (oratorical, pompous)

Clandestine-(adjective)-Planned or done in secret, especially describing activities that are not officially
allowed

Synonyms: covert, furtive, stealthy, secret, underhand, illicit, surreptitious

Antonyms: open, candid, forthright

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Tips & Usage: Clandestine is derived from the Latin word clandestinus, which came from clam, meaning
“secretly.” Clandestine is a fun word used to describe any secret activity, like planning a surprise party. It is also
a great word to describe actual secret government activities and espionage. Clandestine is synonymous with
furtive and surreptitious.

Usage Examples:

1. The clandestine shredding of important documents would be the accounting firm’s downfall. (illicit,
secret)

2. The Justice Department engages in clandestine activities designed to uncover illegal activity. (secret,
stealthy)

3. We had several clandestine meetings to plan my wife's surprise birthday party. (covert, secret)

4. The clandestine operation was meant to uncover the thieves who had stolen millions of dollars from the
company. (covert, stealthy)

Concerted-(adjective)-1. Planned or carried out by two or more people or groups working together for the
same goal 2. Done in a serious and determined manner

Synonyms: agreeing, harmonious, unified, allied, cooperative

Antonyms: disjointed, uncooperative

Tips & Usage: One of the mistakes people often make with the word concerted is that they think it relates to
concentration−it will take a concerted effort, meaning you will need to focus. This is incorrect. A concerted
effort means it will require a group effort. Concerted can also describe a serious and determined effort as well,
but does not refer to concentration.

Usage Examples:

1. Some concerted negotiations between the two companies could result in an agreement benefiting both
sides. (cooperative)

2. In order for this project to succeed, it will take a concerted effort by everyone. (unified, cooperative,
determined)

3. There was a concerted action to raise more money amongst all the activists working for their cause.
(unified, allied)

4. Without a concerted effort by all of us, this house will never get decorated in time for the party.
(cooperative)

Convoluted-(adjective)-1. Highly involved or intricate 2. Too complex to be easily understood 3. rolled,

coiled, or twisted together

Synonyms: involved, intricate, complicated, complex, twisted

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Antonyms: easy, uncomplicated, straightforward

Tips & Usage: Convoluted is almost always a negative way of describing something that is overly complicated
or disorganized, when it should be much simpler.

Usage Examples:

1. His convoluted reasoning didn’t seem to be winning over the jury members. In fact, they all looked quite
confused. (complicated)

2. It is impossible to get any new laws passed in that convoluted government bureaucracy. (complex,
intricate)

3. It was a nightmare trying to complete all of the convoluted paperwork. (complex, involved)

4. The report was written using convoluted legal language, which I couldn't understand at all.
(complicated)

Dichotomy-(noun)-A separation of different or contradictory things

Synonyms: contradiction, bifurcation, division

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Dichotomy is derived from the Modern Latin and Greek term dikhotomia, literally meaning
“cutting in two." Dichotomy is usually used to describe two contradicting elements of the same person or thing
(see “Usage Examples”).

Usage Examples:

1. The company’s financial statements presented a unique dichotomy: the company had an increase in
income, but had a decrease in revenue. (contradiction)

2. There were both an increase in unemployment and an increase in consumer confidence, which created
an interesting economic dichotomy. (contradiction)

3. Advertising agency employees run the gamut from account executives in suits to creative executives in
jeans and t-shirts, which creates a unique cultural dichotomy. (division)

4. His mother represented the strong dichotomy he saw between men and women. (division)

Eclectic-(adjective)-1. Made up of elements from various sources 2. Choosing what is best or preferred from a
variety of sources or styles

Synonyms: varied, diverse, heterogeneous, select, selective, discriminating

Antonyms: distinctive, narrow, homogeneous

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Tips & Usage: Eclectic is derived from the Greek term eklektikos, literally meaning “picking out, selecting."
Think, to choose from different sources. For example, an eclectic interior designer chooses design elements
from various cultures and influences.

Usage Examples:

1. He has a very eclectic taste in literature. He likes everything from the intense classics like Joyce and
Faulkner to easier reads like John Grisham and Dan Brown. (diverse)

2. She had an eclectic taste in music and was always listening to something new. (varied)

3. The office building had an eclectic mix of tenants−the gamut ran from blue-jean-wearing programmers
to accountants wearing suits and ties. (varied)

4. The art gallery had an eclectic assortment of artwork from around the world. (select, diverse)

Esoteric-(adjective)-1. Understood only by a chosen few 2. Of rare or unusual interest

Synonyms: abstruse, secret, recondite, mysterious, obscure

Antonyms: open, uncomplicated

Tips & Usage: Esoteric is derived from the Greek word eso terikos, meaning “belonging to an inner circle.” Use
esoteric to describe anything that is only understood by a small circle or is foreign and difficult to understand
for most people. Esoteric can also be used to describe unusual taste appreciated by only a few.

Usage Examples:

1. Derivatives are an esoteric investment that very few investors use or understand. (obscure)

2. The temple is an esoteric spiritual hideaway where a select few monks go to seek enlightenment.
(hidden)

3. The secret society at my school is said to have its own esoteric language. (mysterious, secret)

4. The Symbolism Professor knew how to decipher even the most esoteric code. (secret, obscure)

Facilitate-(verb)-1. To make easier 2. To increase the likelihood of 3. To be of use

Synonyms: ease, simplify, expedite, enable, assist, advance

Antonyms: complicate

Tips & Usage: Facilitate is derived from the Italian term facilitare, which means “to make easy.” When you
help with something or make it easier for someone, you facilitate it.

Usage Examples:

1. If you'd like to meet him, I can probably facilitate an introduction. (expedite, enable)

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 2. The new calendar program will help facilitate the difficult scheduling process. (ease, simplify)

3. He hopes to facilitate a dialogue between the two opposing factions. (assist, enable)

4. The project manager was brought on to help facilitate communication between the different
departments. (ease, assist)

Fruition-(noun)-1. A state or point in which something has come to maturity or has a desired outcome 2. The
enjoyment of a desired outcome when it happens

Synonyms: completion, conclusion, realization, results, enjoyment, fulfillment, achievement

Antonyms: beginning

Tips & Usage: Fruition is derived from the Latin term frui, meaning "to enjoy." You'll notice that fruition
contains the word fruit, so you can think of something "bearing fruit." When a project comes to fruition, you
can enjoy the "fruits of your labor."

Usage Examples:

1. If his vision comes to fruition, the company will become the largest software developer in the world.
(realization)

2. We are working hard to bring to fruition all of the ideas outlined in the business plan. (completion,
realization)

3. It may be years before all of the President’s programs come to fruition. (completion, achievement)

4. None of his grand plans ever came to fruition. (completion, realization, achievement)

Illicit-(adjective)-1. Illegal 2. Unacceptable by prevailing social standards or convention

Synonyms: illegal, unlawful, wrongful, unauthorized, forbidden, illegitimate

Antonyms: legal, legitimate, authorized

Tips & Usage: Illicit is a more sophisticated way of saying "illegal." Illicit can also be used to describe anything
that is not approved by society, like an "illicit affair." Note: Do not confuse illicit with its homonym elicit,
which means to derive or deduce meaning or evoke emotion.

Usage Examples:

1. The illicit manufacturing of counterfeit merchandise overseas has been a problem for many American
companies. (illegal, unauthorized)

2. Their illicit, backdoor deals could land them all in jail. (illegal, unlawful)

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 3. The executives were arrested for embezzlement, insider-training, and other illicit activities. (illegal,
unlawful)

4. The illicit affair caused both families a lot of heartache. (wrongful, illegitimate)

Indignant-(adjective)-Angered at something unjust

Synonyms: righteously angry, incensed, irate, offended

Antonyms: gratified

Tips & Usage: Indignant is derived from the Latin stem of indignari, meaning “to regard as unworthy.” If you
feel an accusation against you was unwarranted or unworthy of you, you will be indignant (angry) with whoever
made the accusation. When people are indignant, they are truly offended by something. The anger and disbelief
felt by them is expressed through the noun indignation.

Usage Examples:

1. She was so indignant at her paltry, nearly insulting raise that she immediately handed in her resignation.
(offended, incensed)

2. Mike was indignant when he was accused of stealing from his company and immediately set out to
prove his innocence. (incensed, righteously angry)

3. He was indignant when they tried to blame him for the failed project. (righteously angry)

4. Her indignant gaze in response to the question showed that she was highly offended. (angry)

Interject-(verb)-1. To say or insert something in a way that interrupts what is being said or discussed 2. To
insert between other elements

Synonyms: inject, insert, interpose, throw in, include, interrupt

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Interject is derived from the Latin word interjicere, meaning literally “to throw between.” It is
often used as a polite way of interrupting a discussion−"If I may interject…"

Usage Examples:

1. If I may interject for a moment, I have one more idea I’d like to discuss before we wrap up this meeting.
(interrupt)

2. If I could interject, I believe there is an easier way to do this. (interrupt, interpose)

3. She interjected several jokes during her speech. (included, threw in)

4. I think you should interject your ideas into this discussion. (throw in, inject)

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Machiavellian-(adjective)-Using clever trickery, immoral methods, and expediency to achieve a desired goal,
especially in politics

Synonyms: cunning, sly, tricky, crafty, shrewd, unscrupulous

Antonyms: trustworthy, honest, sincere

Tips & Usage: Machiavellian comes from the name Machiavelli, who was an Italian statesmen who advocated a
strong central government. Machiavelli was known for his shrewd, crafty, and manipulative political
maneuvering.

Usage Examples:

1. The VP of Marketing, known for his Machiavellian maneuvers, has long been plotting his scheme to
oust the company CEO. (cunning, crafty)

2. The Governor's well-crafted speech was a Machiavellian attempt at diminishing his poor reputation
among the public. (shrewd)

3. He was known for his ruthless and Machiavellian business tactics. (cunning, unscrupulous)

4. I could see right through his Machiavellian plans to take credit for my work. (crafty, unscrupulous)

Mull-(verb)-To reflect deeply on a subject

Synonyms: ponder, reflect, meditate, think, weigh

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: To help you remember mull, think of mulled wine or cider slowly coming into its flavor. When
you mull something over, you slowly turn it over in your mind; you ponder it deeply. Mull is a more
sophisticated way of saying "think through."

Usage Examples:

1. Before choosing a final candidate for the position, he mulled over the list of interviewees. (thought,
reflected)

2. Rumor has it, the retired athlete is mulling a return to the NBA. (pondering, thinking over)

3. I'll need to mull this over before I make my final decision. (think, ponder)

4. He mulled over his choices carefully before deciding. (reflected, weighed)

Ostensibly-(adjective)-Seeming to be true or genuine, but open to doubt

Synonyms: seemingly, apparently, evidently, professedly

Antonyms: genuinely, truly, basically

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Tips & Usage: When something is done ostensibly, its truth has not been proven. Ostensibly can be used as a
more sophisticated way of saying "apparently." It can also be used to describe something presented as being
true or appearing to be true, but usually hiding a different motive or meaning. For example, "The security
guards were ostensibly looking for people trying to bring alcohol into the stadium, but I think it was more of a
counter-terrorism effort." The related adjective ostensible means "apparent or evident."

Usage Examples:

1. The strict rules against inter-office dating were ostensibly created to avoid sexual harassment lawsuits,
but many employees feel they are, nevertheless, unfair. (seemingly, professedly)

2. The security team used strict searching measures ostensibly aimed at preventing alcoholic beverages in
the stadium. (apparently)

3. He was ostensibly traveling to Mexico on vacation, but it is now believed that he is running from the
law. (seemingly, professedly)

4. Her silence was ostensibly meant to signal her shyness, but I knew that she just didn't want to talk.
(apparently)

Pertain-(verb)-1. To relate to something 2. To be a part of 3. To be appropriate or suitable

Synonyms: belong, apply, relate (to), refer (to), concern, appertain

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Pertain is derived from the Latin word pertinere, meaning “to hold to.” When something pertains
to a subject at hand, it relates to it in some way−it "holds to" the subject.

Usage Examples:

1. Let's talk about anything except subjects pertaining to work. (referring to)

2. My question pertains to the subject we were discussing earlier. (concerns, relates)

3. The students had many questions pertaining to the novel they had just read. (relating, applying)

4. His remark pertained to my earlier comments. (referred to, concerned)

Pristine-(adjective)-1. Completely free from dirt and contamination 2. Clean and unused
Synonyms: pure, clean, unsullied, untarnished, perfect

Antonyms: dirty, spoiled, tarnished

Tips & Usage: Pristine is a more sophisticated and stronger way of saying "perfect," "pure," and "clean."

Usage Examples:

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 1. Because of his pristine credit, he was pre-approved by every major credit card. (perfect)

2. The once pristine mountainside is now covered with hotels and cabins. (clean, untarnished)

3. Her house was always in pristine condition, and she hated to have company in fear of creating a mess.
(clean, perfect)

4. Her once pristine reputation was tarnished by gossip. (unsullied, pure)

Ramification-(noun)-1. A consequence of an action, usually unintended, that complicates a situation 2. The

act of branching out or dividing into branches 3. A division or branch

Synonyms: consequence, implication, divergence, split, branch, division

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: A ramification is something that complicates a situation. It is generally a consequence of an
action, but it is usually an unintended and negative one. Thus, the word ramification is more specific than
consequence. Ramification also refers to "branching out" or the act of dividing into branches, as on a tree. Think
of how an action or event can "branch out" or "spread out" to cause further consequences.

Usage Examples:

1. The accountants are trying to understand the ramifications of the new tax laws. (implications)

2. Tough laws against crime are designed to make people fear the potential ramifications of criminal acts.
(consequences)

3. He weighed heavy on his decision because of the potential ramifications of each choice. (consequences,
implications)

4. Remember that your actions may have bad ramifications. (unforeseen consequences)

Rhetorical-(adjective)-1. Relating to the skill of using language effectively and persuasively 2. Using language
that is elaborate or fine-sounding, but insincere

Synonyms: eloquent, effective, persuasive, verbose, bombastic, showy, insincere

Antonyms: literal, simple, unpretentious

Tips & Usage: A rhetorical question is one asked solely to produce an effect, rather than elicit a reply.
Rhetorical speech can be negative, as when it is verbose and bombastic. However, it can also be positive, as
when it is eloquent and persuasive. When studying this word, remember that its two definitions are
contradictory.

Usage Examples:

64
 1. Her rhetorical comments are meant to impress, but they just make her sound bombastic. (verbose)

2. In the press conference, the heckler kept asking rhetorical questions in an attempt to disrupt the meeting.
(verbose, used for effect only)

3. Her speech was rhetorical; her words were obviously well chosen. (eloquent, effective, persuasive)

4. Speakers sometimes use rhetorical questions to keep their listeners’ attention. (verbose, used for effect
only)

Steadfast-(adjective)-1. Firm, dependable, and unwavering in purpose or loyalty 2. Firmly fixed or constant
Synonyms: loyal, firm, resolute, unwavering, dependable, immovable

Antonyms: vacillating, capricious

Tips & Usage: Steadfast is derived from the Old English word stedefæst, which literally means “fixed in place.”
If you are steadfast in your beliefs, it's not likely that you will change your mind or opinion.

Usage Examples:

1. Gary has been Joan's steadfast ally throughout her battle in court. (unwavering, loyal)

2. She is steadfast in her resolve to participate in the demonstration next month. (resolute)

3. He could always depend on his steadfast supporters to get him through the tough times. (loyal,
dependable)

4. I have always admired his steadfast dedication to his career. (firm, unwavering)

Trepidation-(noun)-A feeling of fear or dread about the future

Synonyms: alarm, fear, agitation, perturbation, uneasiness, consternation, dread

Antonyms: ease, calm

Tips & Usage: Trepidation is derived from the Latin stem trepidare, meaning “to startle, be agitated.”
Trepidation is a more sophisticated and specific way to discuss fear. The related word intrepid adds the negative
in to trepid, which means "without fear, brave."

Usage Examples:

1. Her trepidation about having to deliver a speech to the company board was evident on her face as a
small bead of sweat ran down her forehead. (fear, consternation)

2. His trepidation about being fired seemed unwarranted because he was a top performer for the company.
(dread, fear)

3. It was her trepidation about flying that caused her to cancel her European vacation. (fear, dread)

65
 4. I have some trepidation about starting a new job, but once I get past my fear, I'm sure everything will be
fine. (uneasiness)

Veracity-(noun)-1. Truthfulness or honesty 2. Accuracy or precision 3. A true statement or fact

Synonyms: truth, honesty, sincerity, accuracy, precision, authenticity, fact

Antonyms: dishonesty, inaccuracy

Tips & Usage: Veracity is derived from the medieval Latin term verax, meaning “truthful.” Veracity is a more
sophisticated way of discussing truth or saying "truthfulness." You will often hear the word veracity used when
someone is questioning the truthfulness of a story: "I question the veracity (truthfulness) of his testimony."

Usage Examples:

1. The newspaper editor called the writer and questioned him about the veracity of his story. (accuracy)

2. Many people think the politician lost the election because voters questioned the veracity of his campaign
promises. (honesty, sincerity)

3. The newspaper was forced to make a retraction when the veracity of the article was questioned.
(accuracy, honesty)

4. I question her veracity since she has lied to me in the past. (honesty)

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Section 4 Test

1. There was no hidden agenda behind his charitable gift; it was a truly _____________ donation.

2. The project manager was brought on to help _____________ communication between the different
departments.

3. The politicians were nervous because they were seeing signs of _____________ from their loyal
constituents.

4. The _____________ CEO caused another controversy with his outlandish comments.

5. It may be years before all the President’s programs come to _____________.

6. It wasn’t until after the investigation that they learned of the _____________ shredding of documents.

7. They claim they are 100% innocent and remain _____________ about the charges brought against them.

8. In order to succeed, we will need a ___________ effort by everyone.

9. The chairman discussed many issues _____________ to the company's upcoming fiscal new year.

10. It was a nightmare trying to organize all of the _____________ paperwork.

11. At ad agencies, you have account executives in suits and creative executives in jeans and t-shirts, which
creates a unique cultural _____________.

12. The art gallery had an _____________ assortment of artwork from around the world.

13. The Zen garden was _____________ pleasing to the eye.

14. Derivatives are an ___________ investment that few investors understand.

15. The executives were arrested for embezzlement, insider-training and other _____________ activities.

16. If I could __________, I think I can shed some light on this issue.

17. He was known for his ruthless and _____________ business tactics.

18. The “No Flirting” rule was _____________ designed to prevent incidence of sexual harassment.

19. He kept the old '69 convertible Cadillac in _____________ condition; it looked brand new.

20. The newspaper was forced to make a retraction when the _____________ of the article was questioned.

21. The President weighed his decisions carefully because of the potential _____________ of each choice.

22. If it’s OK, I would like some time to _____________ over the different benefits packages before I make
a decision

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23. Is that a _____________ question, or are you actually expecting an answer?

24. The President was _____________ in his support of US allies.

25. It was her _____________ about flying that caused her to cancel her European vacation.

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Section 4 Test Answers

1. altruistic
2. facilitate
3. apathy
4. bombastic
5. fruition
6. clandestine
7. indignant
8. concerted
9. pertaining
10. convoluted
11. dichotomy
12. eclectic
13. aesthetically
14. esoteric
15. illicit
16. interject
17. Machiavellian
18. ostensibly
19. pristine
20. veracity
21. ramifications
22. mull
23. rhetorical
24. steadfast
25. trepidation

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Section 5 Lessons

Ambiguous-(adjective)-1. Having more than one possible meaning or interpretation 2. Causing uncertainty or
confusion 3. Open to interpretation

Synonyms: uncertain, unclear, vague,

Antonyms: explicit, clear, specific

Tips & Usage: Ambiguous is derived from the Latin term ambigere, meaning "to be undecided." Ambiguous
refers to anything that is unclear, uncertain, and vague because it can be left open to interpretation. Ambiguous
usually refers to something said or written, as in "an ambiguous statement." For a memory trick, note how
ambiguous sounds like A Big U.S. Now, imagine someone told you he was going on a trip, and you then asked
him "Where are you going?" said he responded with "The U.S." Your response would probably be "Well, that's
ambiguous (unclear), given how big the U.S. is." Note: many people often confuse ambiguous with ambivalent.
Ambivalent means "having mixed feelings," while ambiguous means "uncertain or unclear" and "able to be
interpreted in different ways."

Usage Examples:

1. We were hoping the market research would provide us with some new insights, but unfortunately, the
data were ambiguous and inconclusive. (unclear, vague)

2. The reason the students did poorly on the test was because the directions were ambiguous. (unclear,
confusing)

3. No one was able to determine Bob's opinion on the subject because his comments were so ambiguous.
(vague, unclear)

4. The new tax laws were somewhat ambiguous, and accountants thus interpreted them in various ways.
(unclear, confusing)

Affable-(adjective)-1. Easy to get along with 2. Friendly and good-natured

Synonyms: friendly, good-natured, amiable, pleasant, genial

Antonyms: contemptuous, impolite, withdrawn, reserved

Tips & Usage: Affable is derived from the Latin term affabilis, meaning “easy to speak to.” Affable is often
used to describe someone who has a talent for making friends and putting people at ease−someone who is easy
to speak with.

Usage Examples:

1. Although she knew that she wasn’t as qualified for the job as some of the other candidates, Mary hoped
she could win over the interviewers with her affable demeanor. (good-natured, pleasant)

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 2. He has an affable personality that instantly attracts new friends. (friendly, amiable)

3. I think they will get along really well because they both have such affable personalities. (genial,
amiable)

4. She wasn't very friendly when we spoke on the phone, but when we met in person, she was quite
affable. (pleasant, friendly)

Arduous-(adjective)-1. Requiring great physical endurance or exertion 2. Requiring great mental effort 3.Steep
or demanding

Synonyms: difficult, hard, strenuous, laborious, formidable, tiring, exhausting, demanding, trying, grueling,
uphill, steep

Antonyms: effortless, easy

Tips & Usage: The original meaning of arduous was "steep." Because anything steep is typically difficult to
climb and overcome, the word eventually took on the more general meaning of "difficult." Arduous is a more
sophisticated way of describing something difficult or laborious.

Usage Examples:

1. J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings details an arduous journey made by an unlikely hero. (difficult,
strenuous, exhausting)

2. The athlete's success can be attributed to a combination of natural ability and arduous training.
(strenuous, hard)

3. He was given the arduous task of managing the global product launch in 20 countries and in 12 different
languages. (formidable, grueling)

4. Only a few volunteered for the arduous military mission. (difficult, demanding)

Boon-(noun)-1. Good fortune, timely benefit 2. A favor, especially given in response to a request
Synonyms: blessing, benefit, favor, gift, good luck, good fortune, profit, windfall

Antonyms: blight, disadvantage

Tips & Usage: Boon is often used to discuss sudden and great financial success. It can occasionally be used as
an adjective as well. As an adjective, boon means "extremely close," as in "boon companions."

Usage Examples:

1. The increased market activity proved to be a boon for investors. (benefit, blessing)

2. After a long, dry summer, the rainfall was a boon for farmers. (favor, blessing, gift)

3. The extreme summer heat proved to be a boon for the air-conditioning company, which sold more units
than any previous summer. (blessing, benefit)

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 4. Tiger Woods helped create a financial boon for the Golf Industry. (benefit, windfall)

Cliché-(noun)-1. A trite expression or phrase 2. An overused idea or theme

Synonyms: platitude, bromide, truism, saying, banality

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Cliché is usually used to describe an over-used saying or idea. In French, cliché literally means
"printer's stereotype." Since clichés are overly reproduced, the idea of imitation or stereotyping relates. Cliché
can also be used as an adjective, but the adjective form clichéd is also common. It is used to describe something
overused or hackneyed, as in "The speech was littered with clichéd phrases." An original statement or idea is
the opposite of a cliché.

Usage Examples:

1. Try as he might, the groom found it difficult to write vows that were free of clichés used by so many
couples before. (commonplaces, platitudes)

2. I know this is a total cliché, but it's true: my wedding day was the happiest day of my life. (banality,
common statement)

3. The film critic complained that the pirate's eye patch and the dance-like sword fights were just two of a
multitude of clichés that made the film dull and predictable. (banalities)

4. The term "new economy" was used so often by the media and economists, it quickly became cliché.
(banal, common, overused)

Concur-(verb)-1. To agree or approve 2. To work or act together cooperatively 3. To happen at the same time–
to coincide

Synonyms: agree, approve, assent, cooperate, coincide

Antonyms: disagree, diverge

Tips & Usage: Concur is a more sophisticated way of stating agreement, as in, "Do you concur? Yes, I concur
(agree)." It originates from the Latin term concurrere, meaning "to meet, coincide." Concur can also mean "to
happen together." Think of the verb occur–“to happen”–and the prefix con, which means "together." Also
notice that you have concur, which refers to multiple activities occurring together. The adjective form of
concur, concurrent, means "happening at the same time or running parallel–simultaneous."

Usage Examples:

1. Yes, I would concur with that statement; I think you’re absolutely right. (agree)

2. The goal of improving education is an issue on which both parties concur. (agree)

3. The plans to hire a new marketing manager and to redesign the company website were concurrent
decisions intended to improve the firm's image and sales. (simultaneous)

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 4. We have presented what we believe is the best project plan, and we hope you concur. (agree, approve)

Copious-(adjective)-1. Abundant in number or yield 2. Full of thoughts, expressions, or words 3. large-scale or

present in large quantities

Synonyms: plentiful, abundant, bountiful, large, generous, ample, profuse, overflowing, verbose

Antonyms: meager, scarce

Tips & Usage: Copious is derived from the Latin term copia, meaning “abundance." Its related English words
include cornucopia and copy. Copious is used to describe anything that exists or is provided in abundance. In
business or in school, copious is often used to describe note taking. For example, "He took copious notes at the
meeting." For a memory trick, note how copious sounds like copies for us. Now imagine asking someone to
make numerous copies of their copious notes: "We need copious (abundant in number) copies of your copious
notes, so please make "copies for us."

Usage Examples:

1. The company banquet featured copious amounts of delectable food and fine wine. (plentiful, large in
quantity)

2. Her copious, detailed notes were enough to clear up the matter at once. (thorough)

3. His findings are supported by copious research. (abundant, ample)

4. We expect you to take copious notes at the conference so you can report back to us with what you
learned. (profuse, detailed)

Decimate-(verb)-1. To reduce drastically or destroy a large portion of 2. To inflict such damage as to virtually
destroy

Synonyms: annihilate, exterminate, destroy, devastate, eliminate, extinguish, eradicate, wipe out

Antonyms: save, preserve, create

Tips & Usage: Decimate is derived from the Latin term decimare, meaning "to take a tenth." The archaic
meaning of decimate was "to kill one in every ten men as selected by lot." This strategy was sometimes used
against mutinous soldiers. The modern meaning of decimate is effectively the reverse of the original meaning.
Rather than killing a tenth, decimate now usually refers to the destruction of a larger portion or majority of a
group or population. There is some debate over the change in decimate's meaning among scholars, but most
agree to its modern usage. In business discussions, decimate is used to describe enormous financial loss.

Usage Examples:

1. Rapid industrialization can decimate native animal populations unless consideration is given to the
preservation of at least some natural habitat areas. (extinguish, destroy, reduce)

2. Nuclear warfare can decimate an entire population in an instant. (annihilate)

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 3. The collapse of the corporation decimated the savings of many company employees who held large
amounts of the company’s stock. (wiped out, eliminated)

4. The Asian financial crisis decimated sales for many international companies. (destroyed, eliminated)

Endemic-(adjective)-1. Native, characteristic of, or belonging to a particular group of people, country, area,
locality, or field 2. Restricted to a particular locale 3. Relating to disease that is constantly present, to greater or
lesser extent, in a particular locality

Synonyms: native, indigenous, constantly present

Antonyms: epidemic, pandemic, cosmopolitan, foreign

Tips & Usage: Endemic is often used in medical and ecological situations to refer to diseases or flora/fauna
found especially in certain areas.

Usage Examples:

1. The nature hike featured several endemic plants, which the guide was eager to point out. (indigenous,
native)

2. Some of the most difficult diseases to treat are those endemic to islands or poor, rural areas, because
fewer medical professionals are familiar with them. (native, restricted to)

3. Food shortages and hunger are endemic in certain parts of the world. (constantly present)

4. Certain countries are well known for their endemic political corruption. (ever-present, characteristic)

Espouse-(verb)-1. To take up or support 2. To marry (archaic)

Synonyms: adopt, advocate, embrace, hold, wed, marry

Antonyms: oppose, divorce

Tips & Usage: Espouse is derived from the 15th century French word espouser, which meant "to marry." This
definition of espouse is no longer commonly used, but just as a person may be said to be "wedded to an idea" or
"married to a cause," espouse is frequently used to describe devotion to a particular belief or cause. It is often
used as a more sophisticated way of saying "advocate."

Usage Examples:

1. Always vocal about her beliefs, she was known to espouse environmental and feminist concerns when
given an opportunity. (advocate)

2. His experiences in college led him to espouse more liberal views than his parents. (adopt, embrace)

3. The American Heart Association has long espoused the importance of diet and exercise. (advocated)

4. Fiscal responsibility is an ideal that should be espoused by both Democrats and Republicans.
(advocated, embraced)

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Factor-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. An element contributing to the result of something 2. A mathematical quantity
multiplied with other numbers, or the amount by which something is multiplied 3. A person or organization that
trades for commission (v.)-1. To include or exclude as a contributing element 2. To calculate the factors of a
given quantity or expression

Synonyms: (n.) part, aspect, facet, element, cause, component, ingredient, divisor, agent, representative, (v.)
include, divide, calculate, figure

Antonyms: (n.) composite, whole, (v.) disregard

Tips & Usage: The most general use of the word factor is the noun form, meaning "part or element." The
mathematical definition helps to explain this use because mathematical factors are parts of a whole number. As
a verb, factor means "to figure or account for."

Usage Examples:

1. We had to factor in possible traffic delays when estimating our arrival time. (figure)

2. The most important factor in the decision to hire her as the new manager was her past record of success
in a similar position. (element, aspect)

3. There are several factors that you should consider when determining the value of a company. (aspects,
components)

4. Once you factor in variables such as inflation, you see that the company didn’t really experience much
growth. (figure)

Fundamental-(adjective)-1. Serving as a foundation or basic component 2. Of central importance 3. Innately

characteristic

Synonyms: basic, foundational, necessary, primary, essential, principal, central, deep-rooted, innate, inherent,
underlying, intrinsic, cardinal

Antonyms: unimportant, insignificant, ancillary

Tips & Usage: Fundamental can also be used as a noun, and means "a necessary or basic component," as in,
"The course teaches the fundamentals of cooking." In specialized discourse, fundamental can refer to the main
tone in a musical chord or to the lowest frequency of a vibration or periodic wave.

Usage Examples:

1. Although he wasn't sure if he agreed with everything she was saying, he had to admit that there was a
certain, fundamental truth to her message. (basic, inherent)

2. A solid understanding of statistics is fundamental for a successful career in sociology or political

science. (central, essential)

3. For some companies, the happiness of their employees is considered as fundamentally important as their
bottom line. (essentially)

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 4. It is important to understand the fundamentals of investing. (essential components)

Illusive-(adjective)-Based on illusion and not real

Synonyms: illusory, imaginary, deceptive, misleading, fallacious, false

Antonyms: real, existent

Tips & Usage: Illusive and illusory are related to the word illusion. Illusory means causing or being an illusion:
unreal or deceptive. Note: do not confuse the word illusive with its homophone (similar sounding word) elusive,
which is used to describe someone who is hard to catch or an idea that is hard to perceive or understand.

Usage Examples:

1. The gambler's hopes of winning big in Las Vegas proved illusive and elusive, so he went home nearly
broke. (imaginary, unreal)

2. Jeff’s hopes of finding a higher-paying job proved illusive when the economy took a downturn. (false,
fallacious)

3. Despite the journalist's efforts, the dream of winning a Pulitzer proved illusory. (imaginary, unreal)

4. The salesman used illusory promises to convince customers to buy his product. (misleading, deceptive)

Indolence-(noun)-Inactivity or laziness resulting from a dislike of work

Synonyms: laziness, sluggishness, apathy, idleness

Antonyms: industry, engagement

Tips & Usage: The related adjective indolent refers to a lazy or apathetic person. In medicine, indolent also
refers to a disease that is painless and slow-to-spread. Indolence is a more sophisticated way of saying
"laziness," while indolent is a more sophisticated way of saying "lazy" or "disinterested."

Usage Examples:

1. His grandfather, a war veteran who prided himself on a lifetime of hard work, often complained of the
indolence of today's youth. (laziness)

2. She gave an indolent shrug and continued to stare at the television. (disinterested, apathetic)

3. Her indolence made it clear that she didn’t have any passion or enthusiasm for her job. (laziness, apathy)

4. He was unaware of the indolent tumor until it was discovered during a routine physical. (medical:
painless, slow to progress)

Intermittent-(adjective)-Coming and going at intervals or from time to time

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Synonyms: periodic, occasional, irregular, sporadic, recurrent

Antonyms: continuous, steady, regular

Tips & Usage: Intermittent is derived from the Latin word intermittere, meaning “to interrupt.” The related
adverb is intermittently and refers to anything that happens occasionally or sporadically. You will often hear
weather forecasters predict intermittent showers, which means they can't predict when they will occur, but that
it may rain sporadically throughout the day.

Usage Examples:

1. The baseball game was interrupted three times by intermittent rain, but was resumed each time
afterwards. (periodic, sporadic)

2. Her arthritis pained her intermittently, especially early in the morning. (occasionally, periodically)

3. The batteries in my camcorder can handle up to three hours of continuous use, or a full day of
intermittent activity. (sporadic, occasional)

4. The managers need to communicate with the team more frequently; intermittent meetings are not
enough. (occasional)

Magnanimous-(adjective)-Kind, generous, forgiving, and noble in spirit

Synonyms: generous, beneficent, forgiving, noble, gracious, munificent, big-hearted, philanthropic

Antonyms: mean, petty, paltry

Tips & Usage: Magnanimous is derived from the Latin term magnus, meaning "great." It also originates from
the term animus, meaning "spirit, soul, or mind." Think of someone who is magnanimous because he or she
possesses a great mind and spirit. The noun magnanimity refers to generosity of spirit. Magnanimous describes
people who are generous in overlooking injury or insult and being unselfish: "Forgiving her friend for
betraying her was a very magnanimous gesture." Magnanimous also refers to people who are "good winners."
For example, "The coach taught his players to be magnanimous in their victories as well as their defeats and to
always compliment the play of their opponents."

Usage Examples:

1. The magnanimous general showed respect even to those he had conquered. (forgiving, noble)

2. The losing candidate displayed great magnanimity in ultimately lending his support to the winner.
(graciousness, generosity)

3. It was a magnanimous gesture for the CEO to take a pay cut to avoid layoffs. (gracious, noble)

4. It was magnanimous of her to forgive my huge mistake. (big-hearted, gracious)

Mundane-(adjective)-1. Ordinary or commonplace 2. Relating to or of the world

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Synonyms: ordinary, commonplace, banal, everyday, dull, earthly

Antonyms: unusual, rare, extraordinary, heavenly

Tips & Usage: Mundane is derived from the Latin term mudus, meaning "world." Mundane refers to that which
is worldly, earthly, and commonplace. Although mundane is often considered simply a synonym for words like
boring, commonplace, banal, and prosaic, it should refer more to worldly or earthly matters vs. spiritual or
heavenly matters. Nonetheless, mundane is most often used to describe boring, commonplace activities like
paying the bills, cleaning, going to the grocery store, etc. For a memory trick, note how mundane sounds like
Monday. Now, consider how mundane Mondays tend to be. On Mondays, you often have to do the most
mundane activities of the week, whether it's at work, school, or home.

Usage Examples:

1. Until he started taking sailing lessons, his life consisted only of the same, mundane routine. (ordinary,
banal)

2. Despite the fact that her office cubicle was rather mundane, Laura enjoyed having her own semi-private
space in which to work. (commonplace, dull)

3. Many people were shocked to hear that the rock star actually lived a very mundane lifestyle offstage.
(ordinary)

4. I don't like to waste my time worrying about mundane affairs like politics; I prefer to study religion and
more spiritual matters. (worldly, earthly)

Ostentatious-(adjective)-Being showy, conspicuous, or pretentious, usually in an attempt to get others to

notice

Synonyms: showy, pretentious, garish, grandiose, gaudy, flashy, pompous, extravagant, flamboyant, boastful

Antonyms: modest, understated, tasteful, unpretentious

Tips & Usage: Ostentatious is derived from the Latin term ostendere, which means "to show or display." Think,
showing something just to impress others. The word ostentatious often carries a connotation of disapproval. The
related noun ostentation refers to a vulgar display of wealth, knowledge, or success, especially used to gain the
admiration of others. Ostentatious is synonymous with pretentious and pompous. See a detailed analysis at
pretentious.

Usage Examples:

1. Of course he was thrilled to have won the competition, but wearing his medal around his neck for the
following week was rather ostentatious. (pretentious, boastful)

2. The huge, diamond-encrusted Rolex on his wrist isn't tasteful, it's ostentatious. (extravagant, garish)

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 3. She loved to flaunt her ostentatious jewelry and mink coats among her less-wealthy friends. (showy,
flamboyant)

4. That era was marked by relentless capitalism, widespread corruption, vulgar taste, and ostentatious
displays of wealth. (extravagant, boastful)

Pertinent-(adjective)-Relevant to the matter at hand

Synonyms: relevant, germane, applicable, related, apropos

Antonyms: irrelevant, unsuitable, unrelated

Tips & Usage: The opposite of pertinent is not impertinent, but irrelevant. Impertinent means "rude," while
irrelevant means "unrelated." Pertinent is slightly more descriptive than relevant, as pertinent refers to
immediate, precise, and direct relevance. Pertinent is a great word for keeping a meeting focused: "During this
meeting, let's try to focus only on the issues most pertinent to this project." Pertinent is related to relevant,
germane, and apposite.

Usage Examples:

1. I don't need to hear every detail, just the pertinent information. (relevant, applicable)

2. Attorneys are expected to supply jurors with pertinent evidence and may be reprimanded if they focus
their cases on irrelevant information. (relevant)

3. In developing a business strategy, it’s important to focus on research that is pertinent to your industry.
(applicable, related)

4. The judge asked the witness to limit his testimony to matters pertinent to the case. (relevant)

Profound-(adjective)-1. Deep in intellect or insight 2. Intense 3. From or extending to a depth 4. Complete or

pervasive

Synonyms: deep, intense, penetrating, poignant, thorough, complete, pervasive, insightful

Antonyms: superficial

Tips & Usage: Profound is from the Middle English term profond, meaning "deep." Think, depth and the
bottom of something deep. Use the word profound to describe anything that goes deep below the surface–his
profound faith in God, his profound devotion to his wife, etc. Profound is a more sophisticated way of saying
"deep," both literally and figuratively. For example, “Wow, that was deep thought; you are quite profound.” The
related word profundity usually refers to intellectual or physical depth.

Usage Examples:

1. Einstein is known for his profound understanding of the complexities of relativity. (insightful, deep)

2. The tragic accident caused profound sadness throughout the community. (deep, intense)

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 3. He had profound respect for his predecessor and hoped he could adequately fill his shoes. (deep)

4. The speaker made several profound statements that made the audience really think. (insightful, deep)

Rancor-(noun)-Strong, bitter feelings of resentment

Synonyms: resentment, antagonism, animosity, antipathy, hostility, hatred, enmity

Antonyms: affection, friendship, love, good will

Tips & Usage: Rancor is a very strong word used to denote ill will because of resentment. It is related to the
word rancid, which denotes a bitter or offensive smell.

Usage Examples:

1. Surprisingly, there was no rancor between the prosecution and defense attorneys once the trial ended.
(animosity, hostility)

2. Her rancor for her opponent was deep-seated and was fed by feelings of hostility, carried over from their
past encounters. (antipathy, resentment)

3. Voters are tired of the rancor and partisan atmosphere in Washington DC. (antipathy, hostility)

4. I don’t think they could ever reconcile their differences and get over their rancor toward one another.
(resentment, enmity)

Rift-(noun)-1. A separation between people or a group 2. A fissure, or gap, usually in the earth, rock, or clouds
Synonyms: separation, estrangement, breach, spilt, dissension, divide, crack, gap, chasm, fault

Antonyms: unity, harmony, togetherness

Tips & Usage: The word rift literally means "a large crack or geological fault line." Figuratively, it is used as a
more sophisticated way of describing a large gap between two opposing sides or ideas. There is also a verb
definition of rift, with the meaning "to divide, split, or penetrate."

Usage Examples:

1. It was just one argument, but it created a permanent rift between them. (split, estrangement)

2. They had traveled many miles when they came upon a rift that was too wide to cross. (chasm, crevasse,
divide)

3. Their opposing views of how to run the company created a big rift between their management teams.
(separation, divide)

4. I don’t think they will be able to come to a compromise; the rift between their two ideas is too wide.
(gap, divide)

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Stoic-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Passive, detached, calm, and unaffected by pleasure or pain (n.)-1. Someone
who seems unaffected by pleasure or pain, especially someone who remains unaffected by adversity

Synonyms: (adj.) passive, unemotional, detached, unruffled, calm, indifferent, stolid

Antonyms: emotional

Tips & Usage: Stoic was originally the name given to a member of the ancient Greek group of philosophers led
by Zeno of Citium. He believed that wise people should be free from passion and unmoved by pleasure, pain,
happiness, or grief. Stoic comes from Greek term stoikos, meaning "porch." It refers to the porch in Athens
where Zeno and his successors taught. Stoic is used to describe someone who doesn't show emotion. It can be
used to describe someone who is brave and calm in the face of danger. It can also be used to describe a court
witness who answers questions without emotion. For a memory trick, note how stoic sounds like his toe wick.
Now, imagine a man lighting his toe on fire, like a candle wick. You would assume he would scream in pain,
but he is unusually stoic (calm, showing no emotion) and is showing no pain or emotion, even though he is
using his toe as a wick.

Usage Examples:

1. Ever the stoic, he showed little emotion when he was laid off from his job of 20 years. (unemotional
person)

2. The professional poker player told reporters that a stoic expression was one of the most important
elements of his job. (indifferent, calm, unruffled)

3. The witness remained stoic despite the tough questions posed by the attorney. (calm, unemotional)

4. The captain’s stoic courage during the storm gave his crew much needed confidence. (calm, unruffled)

Tenacity- noun)-Persistent determination in holding to something, especially opinions, valuables, and routines
Synonyms: persistence, stubbornness, resolve, toughness, strength, nerve

Antonyms: weakness

Tips & Usage: Tenacity and the related adjective tenacious are derived from the Latin term tenax, meaning to
"hold fast." Both words are often used to refer to a person who doesn’t give up. Think of how a person would
tenaciously hold on to the edge of a cliff and the tenacity with which he would do this.

Usage Examples:

1. She clung to her beliefs with a tenacity that was immediately evident to any who attempted to argue with
her. (determination)

2. During her first ice skating lesson, she kept a tenacious grip on her instructor's arm. (strong, firm,
clinging)

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 3. He refused to take no for an answer, and his tenacity eventually paid off when he won the contract for
his company. (persistence)

4. She had a tenacious selling style that made her the top salesperson for three months running. (persistent)

Verbose-(adjective)-Too wordy, containing more words than necessary (often at the expense of clarity)
Synonyms: wordy, long-winded, garrulous, loquacious

Antonyms: concise, succinct, terse

Tips & Usage: Verbose is from the Latin term verbum, meaning "word." Verbose is used to describe someone
who is overly "wordy." Verbose is usually used in a critical sense. For a memory trick, note how verbose
sounds like verb hose. Now, imagine someone who is so verbose, people say his mouth is like a "verb hose,"
with verbs and words constantly spewing out. Verbose is synonymous with garrulous and loquacious.

Usage Examples:

1. The best man was already known for being verbose, and his eight minute toast at the wedding served as
an apt demonstration. (long-winded, wordy)

2. The teacher told her students that although she wanted their essays to be five pages long, it was more
important to be clear than be verbose. (wordy)

3. Everyone knew something was wrong when the normally-verbose CEO was quiet during the meeting.
(garrulous)

4. Make sure he really thinks about what he plans to say to the group; in the past, he has been overly
verbose when he has given presentations. (long-winded)

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Section 5 Test

1. I think they will get along really well; they both have such ______________ personalities.
2. Because malaria is ______________ to that region, you should get a prescription for malaria pills before
you go.
3. Low interest rates should prove to be a major ______________ for automobile manufacturers.
4. Instead of using meaningful examples, he often relied on over-used sayings and ______________ to
make his point.
5. We all strongly believe we should move forward with the project, and we hope you ___________.
6. The company was accused of using ___________ accounting practices that overstated income.
7. Everyone enjoyed studying with her because she took ______________ notes in class.
8. I spent all of my hard-earned savings on the vacation of a lifetime and basically ______________ my
bank account.
9. No one was able to define his position on the subject because his comments were so_________.
10. Summer hours with half-day Fridays was an idea ______________ by everyone.
11. There are several different ______________ you should consider before you make your decision.
12. He was given the ______________ task of deciding where the company would have to cut back on
spending.
13. I think your strategy is too complex; we need a more _______________ solution.
14. She is a smart girl. The only reason she doesn’t do her homework is because of _____________.
15. The CEO gave everyone stock options both as a strategic move to motivate employees and as a
_______________ gesture of giving something back to the employees.
16. That is irrelevant. Let’s try to focus on facts that are _______________ to this case.
17. We didn’t really do much of anything exciting. All in all, it was pretty _______________ .
18. He didn’t buy the Porsche because he likes sports cars; it was an _______________ purchase to show
off his wealth.
19. He was a great teacher. His lessons and teachings were able to touch his students in a _______________
manner that stuck with them for their entire lives.
20. The forecast called for clouds and _______________ showers.
21. They tried to get along but they were unable to suppress the _______________ and ill feelings they had
for each other.
22. Sometimes I need to do more listening and less talking; I know at times I can be overly
_______________.
23. The two brothers had a falling out that created a _______________ within the family.
24. After the tough crash, the skier retained a _______________ expression despite feeling immense pain.
25. He was resolved to win, and he thus showed great focus and _______________ .

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Section 5 Test Answers

1. affable
2. endemic
3. boon
4. clichés
5. concur
6. illusive
7. copious
8. decimated
9. ambiguous
10. espoused
11. factors
12. arduous
13. fundamental
14. indolence
15. magnanimous
16. pertinent
17. mundane
18. ostentatious
19. profound
20. intermittent
21. rancor
22. verbose
23. rift
24. stoic
25. tenacity

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Section 6 Lessons

Analytical-(adjective)-1. Examining things very closely and thoroughly 2. Skilled in analysis 3. Reasoning
from parts or relationships

Synonyms: analytic, systematic, logical, rational, thorough, perceptive, inquisitive

Antonyms: constructive, inventive

Tips & Usage: Analytic is a variant of analytical and can be used in the same way. Both words are derived from
the Greek term analusis, meaning “a breaking up into elements." Think of the process of breaking things into
elements in order to study and analyze them.

Usage Examples:

1. She used analytical reasoning to solve the complicated math problem, even though she had never
encountered such an equation before. (systematic, logical)

2. The reason the programmers are so good at their complex, detailed work is because they have very
analytical minds. (logical, rational)

3. We need someone who is very detail-oriented and analytical in his thinking to help plan this complex
project. (systematic, thorough)

4. In order to succeed in one’s education, it is important to have an analytical mind. (inquisitive,

perceptive)

Affiliate-(verb, noun)-(v.)-1. To associate with or to receive as a member or participant 2. To trace the origins
of (n.)-1. A person or group that is associated with, or a member of, another

Synonyms: (v.) associate, connect, merge, join, ally, unite, (n.) associate, member, subsidiary, branch, partner

Antonyms: (v.) disband, disassociate, separate, disjoin

Tips & Usage: Affiliate can be used as a verb, as well as a noun, to denote a person or organization affiliated
with another. The word is pronounced differently, depending on the use: as a verb, the second a is long. As a
noun, affiliate is pronounced with a short second a. The adjective affiliated means "associated with."

Usage Examples:

1. She got her start with the small radio station affiliated with the university. (associated)

2. The company used the party as an opportunity to affiliate with its partners and investors. (connect,
associate)

3. You can earn bonus mileage points when you stay at a hotel that is affiliated with the airline with which
you have your frequent flyer program. (allied, partnered)

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 4. Our new company affiliate can go far in helping us drive traffic to our website through its members.
(partner, branch, associate)

Assiduous-(adjective)-Marked by careful, determined effort, as well as showing hard work, care, and attention
to detail

Synonyms: industrious, undeviating, diligent, conscientious, hard-working, attentive, dedicated

Antonyms: negligent

Tips & Usage: Assiduous originated from the Latin word assidere, which essentially means "to sit in one place"
or "to apply oneself." Someone who is assiduous is not easily distracted or deterred from the task at hand and
can be focused until the task is done. When learning assiduous, think of sitting on your "ass" while working in
an efficient and focused manner until you are done. An assiduous student would sit on his "ass" doing
homework until he is finished with it. An assiduous investor would sit and read through all of the investment
information before she makes an investment. Think of the assiduous reader, worker, student, planner, and
anyone else who sits and works diligently to get a job done. Note: although the etymology of assiduous clearly
points to sitting, you don't have to be sitting to be assiduous–you just need to work hard and efficiently with
attention to detail.

Usage Examples:

1. She receives straight A's because she is an assiduous student who never wavers from her commitment to
excel. (diligent, hard-working).

2. His assiduous devotion to the project resulted in a quick turnaround with virtually no errors.
(conscientious, industrious)

3. The market was so complex that even assiduous investors had a hard time determining which companies
to invest in.(conscientious, attentive)

4. I remember Dave as an assiduous student who always came to class well prepared. (diligent, hard-
working)

Breadth-(noun)-1. Scope or range of understanding or knowledge 2. The distance between sides

Synonyms: width, scope, range, diameter, wideness, broadness, extent, magnitude, comprehensiveness

Antonyms: narrowness

Tips & Usage: Breadth is often used in combination with or in opposition to length. For example, "the breadth
and depth of his knowledge." Breadth is often used to describe the scope of someone's knowledge in a specific
field.

Usage Examples:

1. The breadth of the cavern was as impressive as its depth. (width)

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 2. The interviewer was impressed not only with her specific understanding of bridges, but was also
impressed with the breadth of her engineering knowledge in general. (extent, scope)

3. I enjoy the breadth of information available on the Internet, so I no longer subscribe to a newspaper.
(range, extent)

4. We are often amazed by the breadth and depth of his knowledge of complex tax codes. (scope,
comprehensiveness)

Coalesce-(verb)-1. To unite, fuse, or grow together 2. To form a group from different elements
Synonyms: unite, fuse, consolidate, amalgamate, merge, combine, converge

Antonyms: divide, split, separate

Tips & Usage: Coalesce is derived from the Latin term coalescere, which means “to grow up together.”
Coalesce is similar in meaning to glean, which means "to pull together facts and information from different
sources." Coalesce is used more to describe bringing together (uniting) people and resources to accomplish a
goal.

Usage Examples:

1. At the end of the season, the best players from each team coalesce to form the All-Stars. (merge, unite)

2. At the meeting, the CEO stressed that the various departments' communication methods would soon be
coalesced into a single, more streamlined system. (consolidated, fused)

3. We need to coalesce our resources around the world in order to provide a truly global solution.
(combine)

4. It was his responsibility to coalesce members from different departments into one, cohesive team.
(merge, unite)

Condemn-(verb)-1. To criticize as wrong or immoral 2. To assign guilt 3. To determine as unfit for public use
4. To force someone or something into an undesirable circumstance

Synonyms: criticize, convict, sentence, doom, censure, denounce, expropriate, reprove, compel, force

Antonyms: laud, praise, acquit

Tips & Usage: When condemn is used to refer to sentencing or conviction, it is usually used in the context "to
condemn a person to prison or punishment." The same formula (to condemn someone to something) is used
when condemn is intended to mean "to force or compel." When a building is described as condemned, it is no
longer safe or suitable for inhabitance.

Usage Examples:

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 1. Furious, the boss condemned his employees' persistent handling of personal affairs on company time.
(criticized, censured)

2. The criminal begged the court not to condemn him to prison, even though he admitted to lighting the
condemned building on fire. (sentence, convict)

3. The President strongly condemned the partisan behavior of both Democrats and Republicans. (criticized,
denounced)

4. The building was condemned by the inspector because he deemed it unsafe. (judged unfit)

Conversant-(adjective)-Having experience, familiarity, or knowledge (usually followed by "with" or "in")

Synonyms: versed, practiced, proficient, familiar, knowledgeable, informed

Antonyms: ignorant, uninformed

Tips & Usage: The word conversant is a predicate and is usually followed by the word with. To help remember
the meaning of the word conversant, think of the word conversation. Apply the word conversant to people who
are well versed (knowledgeable) in a subject and are able to have an articulate and intelligent conversation
about that subject. Conversant is related to versed. Conversant is usually followed by with and is usually used to
describe knowledge that has been acquired through study. Versed is usually followed by in, and is usually used
to describe knowledge from experience.

Usage Examples:

1. The scholar is conversant in six languages. (proficient)

2. I made the mistake because I am not conversant with the etiquette of golf. (familiar)

3. He is conversant with the latest trends in marketing and will be a welcome addition to our team.
(familiar, proficient)

4. Although she was conversant with the latest political scandal, she did not want to answer any questions
from the press. (familiar)

Correlate-(verb)-1. To set in a causal, mutual, or reciprocal relationship 2. To gather and compare the
relationship between people or things

Synonyms: connect, correspond, relate, complement, associate, equate, compare

Antonyms: disassociate

Tips & Usage: Correlate is a word used in statistics to measure the connection or relationship between two
different objects or occurrences. Correlate is also a noun, referring to either of the things that correlates (relate,
compare) to the other. The related word correlation refers to a connection or relationship, often a cause-and-

88
effect relationship between two or more things. Use correlation as a more sophisticated and statistical way of
saying "connection."

Usage Examples:

1. The assignment was challenging because it asked students to correlate information from several sources.
(connect, relate)

2. The strong correlation between adequate vitamin intake and lower incidence of eye disease should
prompt more ophthalmologists to counsel their patients on good nutrition. (connection, relationship)

3. Tobacco companies say that smoking does not correlate to lung cancer, but the American Cancer
Association claims otherwise. (correspond)

4. Research has repeatedly shown that there is a strong correlation between the breadth of your vocabulary
and your success. (connection)

Dilapidated-(adjective)-In poor, decayed, or dismal condition

Synonyms: decrepit, ramshackle, run-down, neglected, decayed, shabby

Antonyms: sound, undamaged

Tips & Usage: Things that become dilapidated often become so through neglect. Thus, dilapidated is often used
to refer to old buildings, vehicles, or machines that are worn out or run-down with age, overuse, or neglect.

Usage Examples:

1. Rumor had it that the dilapidated old house was haunted. (ramshackle, neglected)

2. Everything about the stranger seemed old and tired, from the holes in his shoes to the dilapidated car he
drove. (run-down, decayed)

3. We’re going to tear down this dilapidated building and build ourselves a state-of-the-art office complex.
(neglected, run-down)

4. The pier was closed to the public because its dilapidated condition made it unsafe. (decayed)

Effusive-(adjective)-1. Overly demonstrative 2. Overflowing

Synonyms: gushing, unrestrained, profuse, demonstrative, emotional, verbose, extravagant, overflowing

Antonyms: quiet, reserved

Tips & Usage: Effusive is derived from the Latin word effusio, meaning "a pouring forth." The noun form of
effusive is effusion. Effusion can refer to the act of pouring or the thing poured, whether it be emotion or liquid.
Think of someone giving "gushing" praise that is just pouring out. Effusive is often used to describe excessive
and overly extravagant praise. Effusive is related to the word profusive. Both words have similar Latin roots

89
meaning to "pour forth." Think of something literally and figuratively pouring forward like "effusive praise."
Effusive is used more often and is a better adjective than profusive. The noun profusion, however, is used more
often than the noun effusion. Furthermore, the adverb profusely is used more often than effusively. See
profusion for additional analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. The introduction given to the honoree was so effusive that he was more embarrassed than touched.
(extravagant, gushing)

2. The widow was overwhelmed by the effusion of condolences she received. (outpouring, profusion)

3. The board gave the chairman effusive praise for his performance. (unrestrained, gushing)

4. He wrote an enthusiastic and effusive, four-page review of the concert. (verbose, extravagant)

Furtive-(adjective)-1. Secretive and done to be hidden, or to escape notice 2. Sly or shifty

Synonyms: sly, stealthy, surreptitious, shifty, sneaky, secretive, clandestine, covert

Antonyms: open, obvious

Tips & Usage: Furtive is derived from the Latin term furtivus, meaning "theft." Theft is a furtive (covert,
sneaky, hidden) act, and a person committing theft wouldn't want to be caught. Furtive is synonymous with
surreptitious and clandestine.

Usage Examples:

1. He knew what the boss was about to say and thus shot his friend a furtive glance. (secretive, stealthy)

2. His actions were furtive enough not to arouse suspicion. (clandestine, covert)

3. His furtive manner made me question what exactly he was up to. (shifty, secretive)

4. Although she didn’t wish to be rude, she was so bored during the presentation that she took a furtive
glance at her watch to see how much longer she would have to sit there. (sly, covert)

Fraught-(adjective)-1. Loaded or full of something 2. Uneasy, charged

Synonyms: full of, loaded, charged, marked by, distressed, anxious, tense

Antonyms: calm, relaxed, empty of

Tips & Usage: The modern definition of fraught is derived from the 14th century English word fraught,
meaning “to load with cargo." For a memory trick, note how fraught is similar in spelling and sound to freight.
Now, in line with the idea of loading something with cargo, think of a freight train fraught (overloaded) with

90
cargo. However, think of emotional cargo or baggage–it should be used for intangibles (fraught with anxiety,
fraught with mistakes) and not tangibles. Fraught can also mean "uneasy, charged, or stressed." Think of the
stress of having to hold something heavy or being overloaded with something. Fraught is also similar in
meaning and application to rife. See

Usage Examples:

1. The project was a disaster because it was fraught with problems from the beginning. (full of, loaded)

2. Crushed by the rejection of her first novel, Hannah remained fraught for weeks. (distressed)

3. Their relationship was fraught with emotional outbursts, and everyone knew it would never last. (full of,
marked by)

4. The assignment was fraught with potential complications, but I volunteered for it anyway. (loaded)

Impede-(verb)-To block or hinder the progress of

Synonyms: hinder, obstruct, hamper, delay, handicap, stymie, slow, disrupt, block, thwart

Antonyms: expedite, facilitate

Tips & Usage: Impede is derived from the Latin term impedire, which means "to shackle the feet." Thus,
impede refers to a slowing down, stalling, or stopping of progress or development. The noun form, impediment,
may be familiar in the expression "speech impediment," which refers to any condition that interferes with and
slows speech.

Usage Examples:

1. The environmental activists were determined to impede progress on the new building development,
because they wanted to protect the open space. (block, hinder, obstruct)

2. This heavy traffic will impede our progress tremendously. (slow, hinder)

3. I’m afraid the forecasted snow storm will impede our efforts to get to the cabin this evening. (delay,
thwart)

4. The boss’s constant nit-picking is a serious impediment to the process of getting this project finished.
(disruption, hindrance)

Induce-(verb)-1. To cause or produce 2. To influence or persuade 3. To reason and make a statement based on
observation and fact

Synonyms: persuade, influence, move, impel, cause, produce, stimulate, incite

Antonyms: repress, hinder, prevent

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Tips & Usage: In obstetrics, induce means "to stimulate labor artificially," such as with a drug that initiates
contractions. Induce is also a great word to use in general to describe persuading or convincing someone to act:
"See if we can induce (persuade) them to participate in the program."

Usage Examples:

1. If you weren't already planning to enter the contest, the prize money is sure to induce you. (persuade)

2. He is a true hero; whenever he sees injustice, he is induced to action. (impelled, moved)

3. The community council was looking for ways to induce investors and bankers to put money into inner-
city businesses. (influence)

4. When her baby was three weeks overdue, the doctors insisted on inducing labor. (stimulating)

Intrepid-(adjective)-Not vulnerable to fear or intimidation

Synonyms: fearless, undaunted, perseverant, persistent, brave, courageous, bold, daring, heroic

Antonyms: fearful, timid, cowardly

Tips & Usage: A related word, which has the same root as intrepid, is trepidation. Trepidation means "fear or
apprehension." When you add the negative prefix into trepid, intrepid means "having no trepidation: bold and
fearless." You will often hear journalists who are out in the field covering dangerous stories characterized as
"intrepid."

Usage Examples:

1. Achilles was a brilliant and intrepid warrior. (brave, heroic, daring)

2. The intrepid reporter did not let fear of retribution stand in the way of delivering a story she believed
would improve people's lives. (courageous, bold)

3. After the market crash, only a handful of intrepid investors put money in tech-stocks. (undaunted, bold)

4. The intrepid journalist often reported from deep in the war zone, but never seemed afraid for her life.
(fearless, perseverant)

Magnitude-(noun)-1. Large extent, size, or quantity 2. The significance, importance, or quality of something
Synonyms: scope, dimension, extent, size, significance, importance

Antonyms: insignificance

Tips & Usage: Magnitude has several specialized uses. In astronomy, magnitude is a measure of a star or other
celestial body's brightness. In geology, magnitude is a measurement of earthquakes. In mathematics, magnitude
refers to a quantity expressed in multiples of a standard. In general, use magnitude to refer to the scope or size
of something.

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Usage Examples:

1. Despite repeated warnings by others, they did not realize the magnitude of the problem until it was too
late. (significance, extent)

2. It will be difficult to estimate the magnitude of the discovery without further experimentation.
(importance, significance)

3. None of the economists is willing to predict the length or magnitude of the expected economic recovery.
(scope, extent)

4. He didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of his new promotion until he was faced with some daunting
responsibilities. (importance, extent)

Myopic-(adjective)-1. Being nearsighted–having myopia 2. Lacking foresight or understanding

Synonyms: nearsighted, short-sighted, narrow-minded, closed-minded

Antonyms: provident

Tips & Usage: To help you learn the word myopic, think of the medical condition of myopia, which is
commonly called "near-sightedness." Myopic is used to describe people who are both near-sighted–can't see far
distances–and who are short-sighted in their views–they are not able to explore more than the obvious or what is
right in front of them. Myopic is similar in meaning to obtuse. Obtuse describes someone who is dim-witted and
has difficulty understanding complex issues. Myopic is used to describe people who are being short-sighted and
are not considering the future (because they are obtuse).

Usage Examples:

1. While baseball managers sometimes see less successful teams as being capable of developing future
talent, fans tend to be more myopic, wanting to win now. (short-sighted)

2. The myopic child was reluctant to participate in school because he could not clearly see the blackboard.
(nearsighted)

3. He had a very myopic vision for the country, which neglected to address future problems like Social
Security and Medicare. (short-sighted)

4. Her myopic and unimaginative thinking would never produce any great ideas. (short-sighted, closed-
minded)

Overt-(adjective)-Open to view, not hidden

Synonyms: open, apparent, obvious, unconcealed, clear, evident, manifest, palpable

Antonyms: hidden, concealed, covert

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Tips & Usage: Overt comes ultimately from the Latin word for "open." Its direct opposite is covert, which
means "hidden or concealed." When you do something overtly, you do it in a very open and obvious way.

Usage Examples:

1. Although he didn't criticize me overtly, I could tell that he wasn't happy with my job performance.
(obviously, openly)

2. In an overt show of support, the President met publicly with the candidate he hoped would succeed him.
(unconcealed, clear)

3. His overt hostility toward his coworkers makes those who have to work with him nervous and
uncomfortable. (obvious)

4. Since he never showed any overt physical signs of his life-threatening disease, no one knew he was ill.
(obvious, evident)

Peruse-(verb)-1. To read through or study in detail 2. To scan through something casually and leisurely
Synonyms: study, read, examine, scan, skim, investigate, analyze

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Although the primary definition of peruse is "to read something carefully and in a detailed
manner," the second definition may be more familiar. Peruse can mean "to study leisurely." This has resulted in
it sometimes being used to mean "to skim or scan," rather than to study intently. Technically, peruse should be
used to describe reading something in its entirety, versus skimming a document quickly.

Usage Examples:

1. Please peruse the following report at your convenience. (study, read through)

2. She perused the classified ads in hopes of finding a good deal on a used car. (scanned, skimmed)

3. John likes to peruse through the morning paper while drinking his first cup of coffee. (read)

4. He perused several travel books to plan his vacation to Paris. (read, studied)

Profusion-(noun)-1. A lavish or extravagant amount 2. Large quantity of something

Synonyms: abundance, extravagance, lavishness, excess, bounty, plenty, wealth

Antonyms: sparseness, lack, shortage

Tips & Usage: Profusion is derived from the Latin term profusus, which means "pour forth." The adjective
form of profusion is profuse, which describes anything overflowing or copious. The adverb is profusely. You

94
have probably heard someone say "sweating profusely" or "bleeding profusely." These are literal uses of the
word profusely, as they describe something literally pouring forth. For profusion, think of a lavish outpour.
Profusion usually refers to something positive, but not always. See the related word effusive for additional
analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. This spring the flowers bloomed in greater profusion than in past years. (abundance)

2. Relieved and happy, she offered profuse thanks to the man who saved her life. (lavish, overflowing,
excessive, effusive)

3. The popular talk show host received a profusion of get-well cards after his surgery. (abundance,
outpour)

4. After riding the exercise bike for an hour, he was sweating profusely. (excessively, abundantly)

Rash-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Thoughtless or rushed action without consideration of consequences (n.)-1. A

series of occurrences, usually unexpected and unpleasant

Synonyms: (adj.) thoughtless, hasty, impetuous, reckless, ill-considered, imprudent, careless, brash, impulsive,
(n.) outbreak

Antonyms: (adj.) cautious, thoughtful, responsible

Tips & Usage: The adjective rash is derived from the Middle English term rasch, meaning "active,
unrestrained." Although its prior history is uncertain, it may be from the Old English root raesc, meaning
"lightning." It may also come from the Middle Dutch or Middle Low German term rasch, meaning "fast."
Either way, speed and impulsiveness are inherent in its history and meaning. If something is done in a rash
manner, it usually implies haste, recklessness, and speed. Rash is related to impulsive and impetuous. See
impetuous for additional analysis. As a noun, rash means "outbreak." Think of a skin irritation, which is a literal
outbreak, and is also referred to as a rash.

Usage Examples:

1. I regretted taking such rash action once I came to my senses. (thoughtless, hasty, imprudent)

2. Even though we thought his decision to quit his job was rather rash, we still felt sorry for him when he
had trouble finding another position. (ill-considered, imprudent)

3. Although his decision seemed rash at first, it proved to be a good one for the company’s future.
(reckless, impetuous)

4. The recent rash of burglaries in the neighborhood left the community feeling vulnerable. (outbreak)

Robust-(adjective)-1. Healthy, strong, and energetic 2. Built to be sturdy and durable 3. Requiring physical
strength and endurance 4. Boisterous in manner 5. Hearty, full-flavored 6. Crude or rough

Synonyms: healthy, strong, energetic, sturdy, solid, vigorous, hearty, rugged, full-bodied, flavorful, rude, rough

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Antonyms: frail, weak, feeble, tasteless

Tips & Usage: Robust comes from the Latin term robustus, which means "oaken or strong." Think of the
strength of an oak. Because the general idea of robust is that of strength and heartiness, it has many uses and
applications. See examples below.

Usage Examples:

1. He was a tall, handsome, robust young man. (healthy, strong)

2. The young woman was offended by the robust stories her co-workers told over lunch. (rude, crude)

3. During the first two years no one was sure that the company would succeed at all, but it has been
enjoying robust growth for the past three quarters. (strong, hearty, vigorous)

4. I’m never fully awake until I’ve had a cup of robust, fresh-brewed coffee. (full-bodied)

Staid-(adjective)-1. Dignified and sedate in manner and habit 2. Very self-controlled to the point of seeming
boring or old-fashioned

Synonyms: serious, reserved, stuffy, somber, dignified, sober, steady, self-controlled

Antonyms: frivolous, wild

Tips & Usage: Use the word staid to describe anyone who has a "sedate" personality–he doesn’t say or do
much. You can also use the word staid to describe something that is overly prim and proper, to the point that it
is boring and stuffy.

Usage Examples:

1. Unsmiling and staid, their hostess seemed more interested in their use of coasters than in their
conversation. (dignified, stuffy)

2. The movie tells the story of a staid Catholic parish that transforms into a down-to-earth, popular
presence in the community. (reserved, dignified)

3. During the late 90’s many staid hotel chains lost business to more hip, boutique style hotels, but this
trend now seems to be over. (stuffy, steady)

4. His staid manner at the party made me question whether he was enjoying himself. (somber, reserved)

Tenuous-(adjective)-1. Weak and unconvincing 2. Easily broken down because of weakness or lack of
substance 3. Thin in form, texture, or consistency

Synonyms: weak, frail, insubstantial, unconvincing, dubious, delicate, fragile, questionable, thin, slender, fine,
insignificant, half-hearted, diluted

Antonyms: substantial, strong, powerful, sturdy

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Tips & Usage: Tenuous is commonly used to describe a weak argument or idea with shaky support. Tenuous is
also used to describe a situation that is fragile and could break at any moment. In general, tenuous refers to
anything week or flimsy that could easily come undone: tenuous construction, tenuous argument, a tenuous
grip.

Usage Examples:

1. The relationship between the scientist's research data and his claims is tenuous at best. (unconvincing,
questionable)

2. We have a tenuous relationship with our client right now, and I fear he may fire us if we have another
mishap. (weak, delicate, fragile)

3. Their tenuous arguments caused everyone to think that they just enjoyed conflict. (insignificant, half-
hearted)

4. His responses to the questions demonstrated that he had a tenuous understanding of the issues and was
not the right person to interview about the subject at hand. (insubstantial, dubious, weak)

Vernacular-(noun, adjective)-(n.)-1. The common language of a people, region, group, or period, especially as
opposed to formal, literary language 2. The common, as opposed to Latin, name in biology 3. The common
architectural style of a place, especially that of ordinary houses (adj.)-1. Characteristic of everyday language

Synonyms: (n.) language, dialect, idiom, tongue, (adj.) colloquial, ordinary, familiar, informal, native, common,
popular

Antonyms: formal, literary

Tips & Usage: Vernacular comes from the Latin term vernaculus, which means "native." Think, "native
language." Vernacular also has a specialized use in architecture, where it refers to the local style in which
ordinary houses are built. Vernacular is most often used to describe the everyday language that people speak.

Usage Examples:

1. Although he had written several formal works, his most famous poems were composed in the
vernacular. (common dialect, informal language)

2. The notable architect modeled his homes after the vernacular houses of the Greek islands. (native,
ordinary, common)

3. New speech-recognition software understands the difference of the vernacular "cool" and "COOL!"
(dialect)

4. The Internet created a whole new vernacular with words like browser and search engine. (common
language)

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98
Section 6 Test

1. The secret to his success is his thorough and ________________ approach to planning each project.

2. I am always impressed with the ____________ and depth of his knowledge.

3. In order to prepare for the complex case, the law firm needed to ________________ resources from
different offices across the country.

4. They are looking for a programmer who is ________________ in multiple programming languages.

5. Everyone was really excited when they finally tore down the ________________ building.

6. Several e-commerce sites have ___________ programs whereby they pay other sites a commission for sales
they helped create.

7. The team was ____________ in their praise of their coach.

8. He shot a ________________ glance in her direction to let her know she should keep quiet.

9. The mayor strongly ________________ the acts of vandalism made on the park.

10. The investigation was ________________ with suspicion.

11. Many believe an increase in taxes is a bad idea because it will ____________ future investments needed to
grow the economy.

12. The lobbyist was trying to __________ members of congress to vote against the bill.

13. People didn’t really understand the ________________ of the tornado’s destruction until they witnessed it
in person.

14. There is a strong ____________ between your success and the breadth of your vocabulary.

15. That is a ________________ argument that has very little substance or factual support.

16. We need to have a long term plan for this company; we cannot allow _______ thinking.

17. The manager’s ________________ flirting made the women in the office feel uncomfortable.

18. Each morning he liked to ________________ the newspaper while he ate his breakfast.

19. Tax accountants will have a busy season learning the ________________ of new tax laws.

20. The mayor made a _________ decision and declared martial law in response to the _________ of violent
protests in the city.

21. I prefer wines with a rich and ____________ flavor.

22. The telecommunications industry became a volatile market that only attracted ____________ investors.

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23. The law firm did not incorporate new technology into their practice. As a result of their ________ ways,
they lost several clients.

24. After the dot-com bust, there were several companies whose names were removed from the Internet
____________.

25. The secret to her success was that she conducted ____________ research on any company she considered
investing.

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Section 6 Test Answers
1. analytical
2. breadth
3. coalesce
4. conversant
5. dilapidated
6. affiliate
7. effusive
8. furtive
9. condemned
10. fraught
11. impede
12. induce
13. magnitude
14. correlation
15. tenuous
16. myopic
17. overt
18. peruse
19. profusion
20. rash
21. robust
22. intrepid
23. staid
24. vernacular
25. assiduous

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Section 7 Lessons

Affinity-(noun)-1. An attraction, identification, or kinship between people or things 2. A close similarity

between two things

Synonyms: liking, penchant, resemblance, relationship, connection, similarity, sympathy, attraction, kinship

Antonyms: aversion, dislike, difference, discord

Tips & Usage: Affinity is derived from an Old French word that means "close relationship." There are several
specialized meanings of affinity. In business, you may hear of affinity marketing. In this case affinity is used as
an adjective. The best example is with credit cards. An airline will partner (form an affinity relationship) with a
credit card company and offer miles for dollars spent using the airline's credit card. In biology, affinity refers to
structural similarity. In chemistry, affinity refers to the attraction of molecules to one another. Finally, in
medicine, affinity denotes the attraction between an antigen and an antibody. For affinity, think, relationship,
similarity, and strong attraction. If you really like someone, you can have a strong attraction or affinity for that
person. If you really like a particular activity (like golfing, sailing), you can have an affinity for that activity.
Affinity can describe a relationship or similarity, as well as a strong attraction to someone, something, or an
activity.

Usage Examples:

1. The veterinarian has a natural affinity with animals. (connection, kinship)

2. There is a strong affinity between the new cars put out by the rival automakers. (similarity, resemblance)

3. He always had an affinity for numbers, so I wasn’t surprised when I heard he became an accountant.
(penchant, liking)

4. Many companies do what is called affinity marketing, whereby they align themselves with associations
and market their products to association members. (relationship)

Assimilate-(verb)-1. To make similar, espescially by absorption into a culture or population 2. To take into the
mind or system

Synonyms: integrate, incorporate, absorb, adjust, acculturate, adapt, conform, acclimatize, digest, grasp

Antonyms: separate, misunderstand, reject

Tips & Usage: Assimilate means "to absorb." In physiology, assimilate means "to absorb into the body." The
most common prepositions used with assimilate are to, into, and with. Assimilate is often used to describe the
adoption and learning of a new culture. Think of absorbing a new culture and how you have to really live in a
country to assimilate (absorb) the country's culture. It's also a more sophisticated way to describe learning and
absorbing knowledge. For example, "I was able to quickly assimilate (absorb) the new words into my active
vocabulary."

Usage Examples:

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 1. She was quick to assimilate the new information, and that was part of what made her such a valuable
employee. (grasp, absorb)

2. The children were quicker to assimilate than their parents in terms of adopting American dress,
language, and culture. (adapt, conform)

3. Most people assimilate new languages gradually over time, but she had the uncanny ability to rapidly
master new languages. (integrate)

4. It is important for new immigrants to assimilate into their adopted culture. (integrate, acculturate)

Benchmark-(noun)-1. A standard used to evaluate similar things 2. A point of reference

Synonyms: standard, criterion, touchstone, measure, reference point, yard stick, baseline

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Benchmark has a special use in computing and land surveying. A benchmark can test computer
performance. In surveying, a benchmark is a permanent object of known elevation, used in topographical
measurement. Benchmark may also be written "bench mark." In business, the word benchmark is used to
describe a measurement of success by which to measure future success.

Usage Examples:

1. Sara's work on the project set a new benchmark for us all. (standard)

2. Many people look to their role models as benchmarks for their own success. (reference points,
touchstones)

3. The automaker’s quality record set a new benchmark for the industry. (standard, measure)

4. The company's new manufacturing process increased production by fifty percent, creating a new
benchmark for expected output. (standard, baseline)

Brevity-(noun)-1. Briefness or shortness 2. Concise use of language

Synonyms: briefness, shortness, conciseness, terseness, succinctness

Antonyms: wordiness, verbosity

Tips & Usage: Brevity is related to the English word brief. Brevity is usually used in a positive sense to
describe something edited or written to be concise and succinct.

Usage Examples:

1. It is far better to write a well-constructed paper marked by brevity than to compose a long, poorly
structured piece. (conciseness)

2. When it comes to giving a well-received speech or sermon, brevity is often the order of the day.
(briefness, succinctness)

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 3. Newspapers often edit letters to the editor for clarity and brevity. (shortness)

4. The brevity of the market upswing was due to bad economic news that contradicted the earlier good
news. (shortness, briefness)

Coerce-(verb)-1. To cause someone to act by force 2. To compel or dominate someone to do something he or

she does not wish to do

Synonyms: force, compel, pressure, strong-arm

Antonyms: allow

Tips & Usage: The noun form of coerce is coercion. Both words are derived from the Latin term coercere,
which means "to shut up in" or "to enclose." Thus, people who are coerced may feel as if they have no escape
from being forced to do something. Coerce is a more sophisticated way of saying "force." It should be used
anytime someone "pressures" or "forces" someone to do something that he doesn’t want to do.

Usage Examples:

1. I didn't want to participate in the prank, but the others coerced me into doing it. (forced, pressured)

2. The bully got what he wanted, not by kindness, but by coercion. (force, pressure)

3. In order for your employees to respect you, you’re going to have to gain their trust rather than trying to
coerce them into doing what you want. (force, pressure)

4. Getting him to stay silent about this is going to require some coercion. (pressure, persuasion)

Condescend-(verb)-1. To behave toward other people as though they are less important or less intelligent than
you are (act in a condescending manner) 2. To do something that you would normally consider yourself too
important or dignified to do

Synonyms: patronize, talk down to, lower, deign, stoop

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: To condescend someone is to talk down to that person, to patronize. To condescend also means
to "lower yourself" and associate yourself with people or activities that you believe to be beneath you.
Condescending is the adjective form of condescend. It describes acting in a snobbish, haughty, or superior
manner. If you are being condescending, you are talking down to someone. Condescend is synonymous with
patronize.

Usage Examples:

1. I wonder if the big celebrity will condescend to attend the local charity event. (deign)

2. Her condescending tone irritated me, since we are, in fact, equals. (superior, patronizing)

3. Don’t condescend yourself and lower your standards for employment; there are other jobs out there.
(lower)

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 4. The arrogant professor was known for speaking to his students in a condescending manner. (patronizing)

Coupled-(adjective)-Connected, linked, or joined together

Synonyms: connected, linked, paired, joined, attached, associated, united

Antonyms: divided, separated

Tips & Usage: If something is "coupled with" something else, it means that its properties join with the other to
produce a combined effect. Coupled is a more sophisticated way of saying "paired" or "combined."

Usage Examples:

1. Her intellect, coupled with her youth, makes her a prime candidate for the position. (paired)

2. When little rainfall is coupled with high temperatures, there is an increased risk of brush fires. (linked)

3. Realtors credited the record rise in home sales to a boost in consumer confidence, coupled with low
interest rates on mortgages. (paired)

4. The two teams were coupled in collaboration on the project. (united, joined)

Discerning-(adjective)-1. Possessing good judgment 2. Distinguishing in subtlety and good taste

Synonyms: discriminating, perceptive, judicious, sensitive, shrewd, astute

Antonyms: undiscerning, obtuse

Tips & Usage: Discerning is related to the word discern, which means "to detect, recognize, judge, or
discriminate between." Someone who has a discerning taste is choosy and can discern the difference between
the good and the bad. People may be characterized as discerning to denote their sophistication and good taste.
The related word discernible means recognizable, detectible, and capable of being recognized by the senses.
Discerning, discern, and discernible are all derived from a Latin word that means “to sift, separate, and
distinguish between.” Think, being able to sift (discern) through items, distinguish (discern) the good from the
bad, and separate them accordingly. That would be discerning. Discerning is synonymous with judicious and
sagacious.

Usage Examples:

1. The restaurant reviewer was famous for his discerning taste and fair depictions of local haunts.
(sensitive, discriminating)

2. The teacher surveyed her students' work with a discerning eye, distinguishing between that which was
done well and that which needed improvement. (perceptive, astute)

3. Successful venture capitalists have the ability to discern between good and bad investments.
(distinguish)

4. The wine aficionado had a discerning taste for red wine and could immediately tell you the type of wine
it was. (sensitive, shrewd)

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Elicit-(verb)-1. To draw out 2. To call forth
Synonyms: educe, evoke, draw out, extract, exact, obtain

Antonyms: suppress, cover, hide

Tips & Usage: Elicit should not be confused with its homonym, illicit. Illicit is an adjective and means either
"illegal" or "contrary to generally accepted moral standards." The verb elicit means "to derive or obtain," as in,
"elicit a response." Elicit is usually used to denote "obtaining" a response from someone.

Usage Examples:

1. My goal in sending out the email was to elicit as much information as possible from those in attendance
at the meeting. (draw out, exact)

2. The principal's announcement that school was cancelled for the day elicited applause from nearly all of
the students. (evoked)

3. Jim was giving Liz the silent treatment, and she could not elicit a response from him to any of her
questions. (extract, obtain)

4. She tried to elicit sympathy by breaking down in tears during the meeting. (obtain)

Euphemism-(noun)-A word or phrase substituted for one that may be offensive, distasteful, or unpleasant
Synonyms: expression, locution, doublespeak, substitution

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: A euphemism is more than just an understatement. It is a word or description used to be more
politically correct or more sensitive.

Usage Examples:

1. Some might say that "homeland security" is a euphemism for "anti-terrorism," a much more unsettling
term. (expression, substitution)

2. Because he was nervous about being politically correct, the candidate littered his speech with
euphemisms. (doublespeak, substitutions)

3. The company released a statement announcing company restructuring, which was really a euphemism
for future layoffs. (expression, locution)

4. She never liked to speak about unpleasant situations and often used euphemism to soften the meaning of
her words. (substitution, doublespeak)

Fallacy-(noun)-1. A misconception or false belief 2. An argument that does not work because of an error in
logic or the error itself

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Synonyms: misconception, error, flaw, mistake, inconsistency, falsity, sophistry

Antonyms: truth, verity

Tips & Usage: Fallacy is sometimes used in the expression "logical fallacy." This phrase refers to a situation in
which an argument does not logically relate to the premise it is built upon. If there is a fallacy in an argument or
idea, the argument and idea are invalid. Use fallacy to denote any misconception or misunderstood situation.

Usage Examples:

1. The adage that warns against swimming within twenty minutes of eating is a fallacy. (misconception,
mistake)

2. The arguments the salesman made when trying to convince us to buy the worthless product were based
entirely on fallacy. (falsity, sophistry)

3. The rumor that Mr. Jones is running for office is a fallacy; he has no such plans at this time.
(misconception)

4. No, our company is not filing for bankruptcy; that’s a pure fallacy. (misconception, error)

Gamut-(noun)-1. A full or complete range 2. All of the notes in the musical scale
Synonyms: range, extent, continuum, scope, spectrum, scale

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The word gamut is created from the Latin words gamma and ut, the lowest note, and a higher
note on the medieval musical scale. Think, all notes are accounted for in the gamut. Thus, gamut refers to the
whole scale or range of things in a group. You may have heard someone say "runs the gamut," meaning "covers
the entire range."

Usage Examples:

1. Her restaurant experience runs the gamut from dishwasher to manager. (range, extent, scope)

2. The pianists fingers seem to fly across the gamut of musical notes effortlessly and beautifully. (scale)

3. They carefully reviewed the gamut of possibilities before deciding on a solution. (range)

4. The office supply store sold the gamut of hand-held devices and personal digital assistants. (spectrum,
range)

Implore-(verb)-1. To beg, plead, or beseech 2. To request, as in prayer

Synonyms: beg, beseech, plead, entreat, request, pray, supplicate

Antonyms: demand

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Tips & Usage: Implore comes from the Latin term implorare, which means to "call upon with weeping."
Implore is a more sophisticated way of saying "beg." For example, "I implore (beg) you to reconsider my
application."

Usage Examples:

1. With tears streaming down her cheeks, she implored him to forgive her. (begged, entreated)

2. When the religious family members found out that their grandmother was ill, they implored God for
mercy and healing. (pray, supplicate, beg)

3. I implore you to listen to my advice; you’ll be better off if you do. (beseech)

4. The boss implored her to reconsider her decision when she handed in her resignation. (begged,
requested)

Inept-(adjective)- 1. Characterized by a lack of perceptiveness, judgment, or finesse 2. Generally incompetent

3. Unsuitable or out of place

Synonyms: incompetent, foolish, ineffective, clumsy, awkward, unfit, inappropriate

Antonyms: competent, adroit, effective, graceful, adept

Tips & Usage: Inept often refers to skill or ability in general, as well as to specific acts or occasions. A milder
synonym is inapt–"not apt." The related noun ineptitude refers to a person’s lack of skill. Inept is often used as a
more sophisticated way of saying incompetent, as in, "He is totally inept at his job." Inept is also used to
describe someone who is awkward, as in, "He is socially inept (awkward)."

Usage Examples:

1. No one was sure why he was still employed there, since he was totally inept at record-keeping and
several other key job duties. (incompetent)

2. When it comes to soccer, I have to admit that I'm pretty much inept. (clumsy, ineffective, unfit)

3. Due to the inept handling of the account, the client decided to look for a new ad agency. (incompetent,
clumsy)

4. He tried to act mature and sophisticated, but his general ineptitude gave him away as a recent graduate.
(lack of skill, incompetence)

Intrinsic-(adjective)-1. Being part of the fundamental nature or substance of something 2. Being contained
entirely within a part of the body

Synonyms: innate, inherent, fundamental, basic, essential

Antonyms: extrinsic

Tips & Usage: Intrinsic is derived from the French term intrinsèque, meaning "internal.” Think, "internal and
within," as below the surface–there is more to something or someone than the surface. Intrinsic is a synonym of

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inherent and innate, but there are some subtle differences to note when using these words. Innate is used best to
describe something you are born with: "Everyone in his family has an innate understanding of mathematics."
Inherent is used to describe the essential characteristics of someone or something: "Quality and reliability are
inherent in everything we do." Intrinsic is often paired with the word value (e.g. intrinsic value) in order to
describe the inherent worth of something. For example, the intrinsic value of gold goes well beyond its surface
value.

Usage Examples:

1. The geologist recognized the intrinsic value of the gemstone the instant he saw it. (inherent, innate)

2. You must effectively use the intrinsic muscles of the larynx in order to be a powerful and controlled
singer. (essential, belonging to one body part)

3. I bought some shares of the stock because I believe its intrinsic value is higher than its current price.
(inherent)

4. Those slides are intrinsic to our presentation, so don’t let them out of your sight. (essential)

Malcontent-(noun, adjective)-(n.)-1. An unhappy and discontented individual, especially one who feels
oppressed or is in open rebellion against his or her government (adj.)-1. Dissatisfied or unhappy with something

Synonyms: (n.) insurgent, rebel, grumbler, dissenter, agitator, (adj.) discontented, dissatisfied, displeased,
unhappy, rebellious, factious, resentful

Antonyms: content, happy, pleased

Tips & Usage: In both its noun and adjective forms, malcontent often carries a political connotation. Malcontent
is also a more sophisticated way of describing someone who is unhappy and causing trouble.

Usage Examples:

1. The street outside the government office was filled with malcontents carrying protest signs. (dissenters,
agitators)

2. A poet, an artist, and a malcontent, his creations often reflected rebellion against mainstream society.
(rebel, dissenter)

3. She was malcontent at her current job and scoured the want ads each morning hoping to find something
better. (dissatisfied)

4. The company fired him because he was a malcontent; he was always complaining about something or
stirring up trouble. (grumbler, agitator)

Myriad-(noun, adjective)-(n.)-1. A large, indefinite number (adj.)-1. innumerable

Synonyms: abundance, lot, host

Antonyms: few

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Tips & Usage: Myriad originally meant "ten thousand," but now myriad typically refers to an innumerable
amount. Myriad can also be used as an adjective, meaning "countless, endless, or multiple." In this case, the
word is not followed by the preposition of like it is with the noun usage.

Usage Examples:

1. The young star seemed to be constantly surrounded by a myriad of admirers. (lot, host)

2. The cove, with its myriad of colorful fish, is an ideal spot for snorkeling. (abundance)

3. Since the economic downturn, young college graduates no longer have the myriad of job options that
they would have had just three years ago. (abundance)

4. It was very soothing to walk through the botanical garden with its myriad rare plants and flowers.
(endless, many)

Pander-(verb)-To facilitate the fulfillment of other’s or another's desire, especially one of questionable
appropriateness or morality

Synonyms: solicit, procure, provide, pimp, indulge, gratify, cater to

Antonyms: reject, deny

Tips & Usage: When you pander to people, you cater to their needs because you want something from them. A
good example is a politician who says what the voters want to hear, to get their votes–politicians pander to
voters. The verb pander is used in a negative way to denote the behavior of someone who has ulterior motives
or just wants to indulge the person to whom he is pandering. A less common meaning of the verb pander is to
act as a "pimp," or someone who arranges sexual relationships. The noun form of pander refers to such an
individual.

Usage Examples:

1. Despite his better judgment, the politician pandered to the interest group's needs in order to have their
support come election time. (catered to)

2. The babysitter was not able to control the children because she tended to pander to their every demand.
(indulge)

3. Jenny was pandering to his ego by complimenting his new tie, just so she could take the afternoon off.
(catering)

4. That politician panders to so many different groups, it’s impossible to tell what he stands for. (caters)

Pervade-(verb)-To spread and be distributed throughout

Synonyms: permeate, penetrate, fill, diffuse, saturate, overrun

Antonyms: empty, leak (out), leach

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Tips & Usage: The adjective form of pervade is pervasive, which means "widespread, ubiquitous, or prevalent."
Pervade is synonymous with permeate. Permeate means "to spread through something and become part of it."
Think of how a smell permeates a room and then becomes part of it. Pervade basically just means "to spread
throughout."

Usage Examples:

1. We know our grandmother is cooking because the delicious smells pervade the whole house. (fill,
permeate)

2. There was a pervasive feeling of disappointment among the partygoers when the band quit early.
(widespread)

3. The pervasive opinion around the table was that plans for a company expansion should be halted for the
time being. (prevalent, widespread)

4. Anxiety pervaded throughout the agency when the company lost its biggest account. (permeated)

Prohibitive-(adjective)-1. Likely to prevent 2. Expensive and therefore likely to prevent purchase or use
Synonyms: exclusive, preventative, forbidding, preclusive, restrictive, exorbitant (cost)

Antonyms: encouraging, reasonable (referring to cost)

Tips & Usage: Prohibitive most often refers to the high price or cost of something, making it unobtainable for
many people. Think of the related verb prohibit, which means "to prevent." Also, think of the related adjective
prohibited, which means "strictly not allowed."

Usage Examples:

1. I want a new high-definition television, but the price is prohibitive. (exorbitant)

2. The high-class nightclub maintained a prohibitive dress code. (exclusive, restrictive)

3. I would really like to take an extended vacation, but the high cost of travel is just too prohibitive.
(preventative, exorbitant)

4. We want this product to be considered high-end, but we don’t want to price it so high that it becomes
prohibitive for most people to purchase. (restrictive)

Rebuff-(verb, noun)-(v.)-1. To reject or refuse sharply and with criticism (n.)-1. A rude or curt rejection of an
offer or advance 2. A sudden block or setback of progress

Synonyms: (v.) snub, reject, repel, deny, refuse, spurn, (n.) snub, block, setback

Antonyms: (v.) accept, approve

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Tips & Usage: A rebuff is an unkind denial of a request or advance–it's basically a snub. Use rebuff to denote an
open rejection of a request or offer. To rebuff someone is more than just refusing their request, it's refusing in an
unfriendly manner. Rebuff is synonymous with spurn. If you spurn someone, you reject him because you are
contemptuous of him and you feel he is beneath you–you are rejecting him with disdain. If you rebuff someone,
you openly reject him in an unfriendly manner, but it is not as harsh as spurn.

Usage Examples:

1. She asked for help, but he rebuffed her, saying he only helped his real friends. (snubbed)

2. Her rebuff stung, since his offer had been kind and sincere. (snub, refusal)

3. I rebuffed my annoying coworker with a harsh comment. (repelled, spurned)

4. He felt rebuffed when his boss openly criticized him during the meeting. (spurned, snubbed)

Rudimentary-(adjective)-1. Basic or elementary 2. Primitive, underdeveloped

Synonyms: basic, underdeveloped, elementary, fundamental

Antonyms: advanced

Tips & Usage: In biology, rudimentary describes an organ that is underdeveloped or undeveloped. Rudimentary
is often used to describe something that is very basic and simple, with the idea that something more complete or
elaborate will come. Remember: rudimentary rhymes with elementary.

Usage Examples:

1. In my undergraduate chemistry course, all we learned were rudimentary theories and facts. (basic,
elementary)

2. In order to be a successful structural engineer, it is helpful to have at least a rudimentary understanding

of mechanical engineering. (elementary, basic, fundamental)

3. Our plans are still rudimentary, but we feel confident that we can make this business model work.
(underdeveloped)

4. Here is a rudimentary outline for next week’s presentation; please get back to me with any comments so
that I can address them in the next version. (basic, not fully developed)

Streamline-(verb)-1. To make more economical or efficient 2. To make something more contoured so that it
may move more fluidly through air or water

Synonyms: improve, organize, simplify, modernize, contour, shape, smooth

Antonyms: complicate

Tips & Usage: Although streamline comes from physics, it is commonly used in business settings to refer to
processes that smooth or improve operations by making them more modern or efficient. The related adjective,
streamlined, refers to anything that is made more efficient or attractive by reducing non-essential elements.

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Usage Examples:

1. A major goal of the review process is to help streamline operations, which should, in turn, boost profits.
(modernize, simplify, improve)

2. When aircraft designers aim to streamline their planes, they are striving for a model that creates less air
resistance, thereby lowering fuel consumption. (contour, improve)

3. The company has been losing money, and thus it looks like we’re going to have to streamline our
overseas operations. (simplify)

4. The new car had beautiful, streamlined contours and no unnecessary features. (simplified, smooth)

Tenure-(noun)-1. The time spent in a particular office or position 2. The granting of permanent employment
after a provisional period, used especially in the teaching profession 3. The holding of land

Synonyms: possession, holding, term, incumbency, occupancy, tenancy

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Tenure comes from the Latin term tenere, which means "to hold." The words tenacious and
tenacity have the same origin. People who have tenure hold a position, a piece of property, or an office. Tenure
can also refer to the time a position is held. As a verb, tenure refers to the giving of lifetime employment,
usually to professors at universities.

Usage Examples:

1. During her tenure in office, the mayor made many changes that helped the city's operations work more
effectively. (term, incumbency)

2. After several years of outstanding teaching and scholarship, the professor was given tenure. (a
permanent position)

3. His tenure as company president will be over when he retires next month. (term)

4. He was tenured once he finished his doctoral studies. (given lifetime employment)

Viable-(adjective)-1. Able to live, exist, or survive 2. Able to be successfully accomplished or put into practice
Synonyms: workable, practical, doable, attainable, possible, feasible

Antonyms: impossible, unworkable

Tips & Usage: Viable is often used to describe fetuses capable of surviving outside the womb. Viable can also
be used to describe plants capable of growing successfully. In business, viable is often used to refer to a
"doable," "workable," or "attainable" objective: "Do you think this is a viable strategy?" Viable is related to the
verb vie, which means "to contend or compete with."

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Usage Examples:

1. Although I love his ideas for remodeling our house, I'm not sure they're viable. (doable, possible,
practicable)

2. The siblings were known to constantly vie for their parents attention. Even today, while working for the
same company, the siblings compete with each other by pointing out that their ideas are more viable
than the other’s ideas. (practical, workable)

3. It’s entirely viable that Tom will be chosen as the new CEO, but he’s not leaving anything to chance and
is thus vying for the job with vigor. (possible, feasible)

4. That is certainly a viable option, but let’s take a look at all of the possibilities before we make a
decision. (workable, feasible)

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Section 7 Test

1. The manufacturing plant had only one defect out of every 1 million products produced, which created a
new______________ for quality.
2. He had a great ______________ for sailing and thus went out on his boat whenever he had a chance.
3. The INS oversees policies for helping immigrants ______________ into American culture.
4. He is very sharp and has always been able to ___________ between a good investment opportunity and
a flash-in-the-pan stock tip.
5. Please review my memo and make any necessary edits for ______________ and clarity.
6. Although most of them already had plans, he ___________ the project team members into working over
the weekend.
7. He believes he is more intelligent than everyone, so he usually speaks to his peers in a ___________
manner.
8. The increase in prices of homes was due to a decrease in availability, ___________ with an increase in
demand.
9. I am hoping my afternoon off will ___________ me the opportunity to take care of several personal
errands.
10. She never liked to speak about unpleasant situations and thus often used ___________ to soften the
meaning of her words.
11. The idea that you can skate through life without doing any hard work, and still be successful, is a
___________.
12. I wasn’t sure which phone you’d be interested in, so I brought the ___________: everything from our
low end model to the newest high-tech version.
13. The lack of a high school diploma can be a serious ___________ to getting a high-paying job.
14. John is so nice that I don’t want to fire him, but I have to because he is totally ___________.
15. The ___________ value of a good education will stay with you throughout your life.
16. His constant complaining was meant to show everyone that he was ___________ in his job.
17. That’s a very interesting proposal, but our team has a ___________ of questions on how exactly you
will implement this plan.
18. Politicians who ___________ to the public by telling them anything they want to hear are not looked
upon favorably.
19. Corporate acquisitions and hostile takeovers are not as ___________ today as they were in the 80’s.
20. I really love that car, but the price is too ___________ for me to consider buying it.
21. I get the impression she is not interested because she has ___________ all my lunch invitations.
22. The doctor gave me a ___________ physical and then sent me on my way without doing a complete
diagnosis.
23. The company will need to ___________ its operations and close down non-essential offices if it wants
to remain competitive.
24. He was a well-respected CEO throughout his long ___________, and the employees were therefore sad
to see him retire.
25. That is certainly a ___________ option, but let’s take a look at all of the possibilities before we make a
decision.

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Section 7 Test Answers

1. benchmark
2. affinity
3. assimilate
4. discern
5. brevity
6. coerced
7. condescending
8. coupled
9. elicit
10. euphemism
11. fallacy
12. gamut
13. impediment
14. inept
15. intrinsic
16. malcontent
17. myriad
18. pander
19. pervasive
20. prohibitive
21. rebuffed
22. rudimentary
23. streamline
24. tenure
25. viable

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Section 8 Lessons

Abdicate-(verb)-1. To formally resign from an official position 2. To give up one's power 3. To neglect a duty
or responsibility

Synonyms: relinquish, quit, surrender, reject, renounce, abandon

Antonyms: confiscate, assume

Tips & Usage: Abdicate is derived from the Latin term abdicare, meaning "to renounce." The noun abdication
refers to the act of renouncing one's office. Use the word abdicate to describe relinquishing of power, resigning,
or stepping down from a position.

Usage Examples:

1. If the client isn't happy with our work, we may have to abdicate our relationship. (relinquish, quit)

2. The politician abdicated his congressional seat in order to run for governor of his state. (relinquished,
renounced)

3. A new leader had to be found when Ashley abdicated her position. (quit, abandoned)

4. If you don't vote, it's an abdication of your civil duty. (abandonment, rejection)

Afford-(verb)-1. To be able to spare or give up 2. To be the cause or source of something 3. To be able to buy
or do something because the resources are available

Synonyms: allow, give, provide, manage, spare, bear, lend, furnish, yield

Antonyms: prevent

Tips & Usage: Afford has its origins from the Old English term geforthian, meaning "to accomplish" or "to
carry out." The modern association with financial ability relates to having enough money to carry something
out. You will often hear the phrase, "it affords me the opportunity," which means it "allows" the opportunity.

Usage Examples:

1. I can’t afford myself the luxury of taking an afternoon nap. There’s just too much work to be done.
(allow, give)

2. The upcoming meeting will afford us the opportunity to get to know our client's needs. (provide, give)

3. The presentation afforded a lot of interesting information. (provided)

4. They had to save for several years before they were able to afford a new car. (manage)

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Astute-(adjective)-Able to be perceptive and to make intelligent decisions and judgments
Synonyms: perceptive, discerning, intelligent, clever, cunning, shrewd, crafty, wily, sly

Antonyms: imperceptive, ignorant, naive

Tips & Usage: Astute is usually used as a compliment. However, unlike simply saying that a person or idea is
intelligent, astute implies that the person is shrewd and knows how to get what he or she wants. Astute
essentially refers to discerning intelligence, especially where personal benefit is to be derived. For example, "He
is an astute investor."

Usage Examples:

1. Her astute cultural observations made her one of the most noted anthropologists of her time. (perceptive,
discerning)

2. The astute investor made more money in the stock market than in his business. (wily, shrewd)

3. Lisa's astute analysis of the situation allowed her to make the right decision when hiring a project
manager. (perceptive, discerning)

4. You have always been an astute observer of human behavior, which is why I trust you when you have a
good feeling about someone. (perceptive, discerning)

Broach-(verb)-To initiate a topic of conversation, often one that is uncomfortable

Synonyms: bring up, propose, raise, mention, introduce

Antonyms: suppress, ignore

Tips & Usage: Broach has a number of specialized meanings. For example, it can mean "to pierce or open up
for the first time." It can also mean "to make or enlarge a hole in something." Note that broach should not be
confused with its homonym brooch, which is a woman's jewelry pin.

Usage Examples:

1. He didn't know how to broach the subject of her parents' divorce. (bring up)

2. Although he was dreading it, he knew he would have to broach the matter of the impending layoffs.
(raise, mention)

3. James broached the subject of a raise during his annual review. (brought up, raised)

4. I’m going to give this issue some more thought before I broach it with the board of directors. (raise,
propose)

Cogent-(adjective)-Convincing enough to compel belief or agreement–forceful and convincing

Synonyms: persuasive, convincing, compelling, coherent, trenchant, effective

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Antonyms: unconvincing, ineffective

Tips & Usage: Cogent carries a connotation of rationality and is often used to describe arguments or analysis.
Cogent is derived from the Latin term cogere, which means "to drive" or "to force." Thus, the clarity and logic
of a cogent argument are strong enough to virtually force belief. Cogent is a great word to describe an argument
or an idea that is very well thought out and convincing.

Usage Examples:

1. You will receive an "A" if you make a clear, cogent argument in your essay. (persuasive, compelling)

2. His cogent presentation led me to sign up for the seminar immediately. (convincing, compelling)

3. The financial documents he provided me were very cogent and made it clear that this will be a
successful company. (compelling)

4. Larry made some cogent arguments during the meeting, and I think that we should heed his advice.
(persuasive, compelling)

Congruent-(adjective)-1. Consistent in agreement 2. Having the same geometric shape and size
Synonyms: compatible, congruous, corresponding, parallel, harmonious

Antonyms: incongruent, incongruous

Tips & Usage: Congruent is often used in the formulation of "congruent with." Congruent is derived from the
Latin term congruere, meaning "to meet together." This reflects its meaning of agreement or consonance. Use
congruent as a sophisticated way of saying "in line with," "parallel," "compatible," and "consistent."

Usage Examples:

1. Their stories were not congruent with one another, so we knew that the children were not telling the
truth. (compatible, corresponding)

2. The latest test results are congruent with previous findings. (parallel, compatible)

3. His understanding of the project plan was congruent with the client’s explanations. (corresponding)

4. John’s personal goals are not congruent with his current career path. (compatible)

Curt-(adjective)-spoken shortly and often rudely–terse

Synonyms: terse, abrupt, brusque, short, blunt, rude

Antonyms: gracious, lengthy

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Tips & Usage: While brief and concise usually carry a positive connotation, curt means "short" in a negative,
often impolite, way. Think, being short and nonresponsive in a rude manner. If someone is curt, it usually
means he or she is short with you in a rude manner. Curt is synonymous with terse.

Usage Examples:

1. We all know he is a busy man, but he still didn't need to be so curt with his secretary when she asked
him a question. (terse, abrupt)

2. She gave only a curt nod in reply before rushing off. (short, brusque)

3. I could tell from his curt behavior that he was in a hurry to get off the phone. (short, brusque)

4. Steven is an efficient worker, but he is often curt to his peers when they ask him rudimentary questions.
(abrupt)

Disconcerted-(adjective)-unsettled, confused, or uneasy

Synonyms: disturbed, uneasy, confused, unsettled, dismayed, uncertain, worried, anxious, flustered

Antonyms: composed, calm

Tips & Usage: Disconcerted is related to the verb disconcert, which means "to cause confusion" or "to make
someone lose composure." The root word concerted means "focused and working together efficiently." When
you add the negative dis, disconcerted means "confused or uneasy."

Usage Examples:

1. The long bus trip and the odd behavior of the driver left many passengers feeling rather disconcerted.
(uneasy)

2. The strange affair left me shaken and disconcerted. (unsettled, worried)

3. The disconcerted look in her eyes made him realize that she wasn’t ready to take on the big
responsibility. (confused, uneasy)

4. Because she was sure that she deserved one, Michele was disconcerted by the news that she would not
be getting a promotion. (unsettled, flustered)

Elucidate-(verb)-1. To make clear, lucid, and understandable 2. To explain

Synonyms: clarify, explain, illuminate, explicate, interpret

Antonyms: confuse, obscure

Tips & Usage: Elucidate is related to the English word lucid, meaning "clear." When you elucidate something,
you make it clearer and easier to understand. Both lucid and elucidate are derived from the same Latin word that
means "light." Think: when you elucidate, you shine light on something that was previously dark or unclear.
Therefore, it is clear and easily understood.

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Usage Examples:

1. Because I am confused, I am hoping that you can elucidate the meaning of these numbers for me.
(clarify, explain)

2. It wasn't until the end of the film that the main character's confusing course of action was elucidated.
(explained, clarified)

3. I would be happy to elucidate the matter so that you can fully understand what happened here. (explain)

4. It would be helpful for you to elucidate your reasoning to make everything clear. (clarify, explain)

Euphoria-(noun)-A feeling of extreme happiness or elation

Synonyms: jubilee, elation, joy

Antonyms: depression, sadness

Tips & Usage: Euphoria is often seen as being a somewhat exaggerated emotion. The related adjective
euphoric describes someone who is in a state of euphoria, or extreme happiness.

Usage Examples:

1. With their first World Cup win, the entire nation was in a sustained state of euphoria. (elation)

2. When they discovered that they had won the lottery, they were euphoric. (elated, ecstatic, joyful)

3. She felt so euphoric when she won the big account that she started dancing around her office. (elated,
joyful)

4. My afternoon massage rid me of all my tension, and I was therefore in a state of euphoria for several
hours afterwards. (elation)

Falter-(verb)-1. To lose effectiveness, confidence, or ability 2. To stumble 3. To speak haltingly

Synonyms: stumble, waver, vacillate, hesitate, stammer

Antonyms: steady, persist, hold (strong)

Tips & Usage: Falter can literally mean "to stumble." For a memory trick, note how falter sounds like fall and
alter combined. Now, imagine a priest trips, falters (stumbles), and then falls off the alter at mass. Falter can be
used to describe any kind of figurative stumble. For example, if a business falters, it stumbles and no longer has
success. If you falter in a speech, you lose your footing and composure for a moment. Falter can also be used as
a noun, referring to the act of faltering.

Usage Examples:

1. Her voice faltered as she tried to confess through her tears. (wavered)

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 2. She was resolute, and nothing could cause her to falter from her commitment. (waver)

3. The speaker momentarily faltered when he realized his slides were out of order. (hesitated, stumbled)

4. Try not to falter on the witness stand because the jury may take it as a sign of guilt. (hesitate, stammer)

Garner-(verb)-1. To gather or collect 2. To earn or win

Synonyms: earn, collect, accumulate, amass, obtain, win, gather

Antonyms: lose

Tips & Usage: Garner comes from the Latin word garnarium, which refers to a storing house for grain. This is
where the gathering sense of garner originates. Use garner as a more sophisticated way of saying "get." Instead
of "We got a lot of success," say "We garnered (collected) a lot of success."

Usage Examples:

1. My superior work will surely garner praise. (win, earn)

2. Before they left, she garnered all of the supplies they would need. (collected, gathered)

3. Tech stocks garnered record investor money during the height of the economic boom. (earned, amassed)

4. He garnered the respect of his coworkers by working hard and being helpful. (earned, obtained)

Heed-(verb)-To listen and pay attention to something, especially to advice or a warning

Synonyms: mind, attend, listen to, notice, consider, mark

Antonyms: ignore, disregard

Tips & Usage: Heed is a more sophisticated way of saying "listen to." When heed is used as a noun, it
emphatically means "attention, consideration, or notice."

Usage Examples:

1. If you do not heed my advice, you will regret it later. (consider, listen to)

2. The young rebels never heeded authority. (minded, listened to)

3. Many young Americans heed their call to duty by enlisting in the armed forces. (mind, attend)

4. She often blows thousands of dollars on shopping sprees, without heeding the consequences.
(consideration)

Imperative-(adjective)-1. Absolutely necessary or unavoidable 2. Authoritarian or commanding 3. Being a

grammatical command word

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Synonyms: essential, important, necessary, urgent, crucial, critical, commanding, dominant, authoritarian

Antonyms: optional, conciliatory

Tips & Usage: Imperative comes from the Latin word imperare, which means "to command." Think about a
soldier who is commanded to do something–he must do what he is commanded to do; it is imperative. Use
imperative as a more sophisticated way of saying "crucial" or "urgent." The word imperative can be used as a
noun, as well as an adjective. For example, "We have a moral imperative to act, and it is imperative that we do
something now!"

Usage Examples:

1. It is imperative that you take this medication at the same time every day, or it will not work properly.
(necessary, essential)

2. The professor taught with an imperative air that kept his students engaged, but slightly uncomfortable.
(commanding, authoritarian)

3. It is imperative that we meet this deadline so the client knows we are dependable. (important, necessary)

4. Great customer service is just as imperative today as when we founded this company. (essential)

Influx-(noun)-1. A sudden or ongoing arrival of many things or of many people 2. An inward flow or
movement

Synonyms: inflow, inundation, flow, rush, flood

Antonyms: outflow, efflux

Tips & Usage: When influx refers to the arrival of many new things or people, it often connotes that the arrival
is somewhat overwhelming.

Usage Examples:

1. The sudden influx of new clients meant lots of overtime for the employees. (rush, inundation)

2. With the steady influx of guests, the hotel will make much more money this season than last season.
(flood, inflow)

3. The publication had an influx of letters to the editor after it published the controversial story.
(inundation)

4. We’ve had an influx of resumes in response to our job posting. (inflow, flood)

Intuitive-(adjective)-Known by insight, nature, or intuition, rather than by reason or rationality

Synonyms: instinctive, perceptive, innate, natural

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Antonyms: learned

Tips & Usage: Intuitive is related to the word intuition, which refers to having the knowledge of something,
without having to learn it or discover it. It often connotes the idea of instinct. If something is intuitive, it is easy
to understand without much study. For example, software companies strive to make computer software as
intuitive (easy to learn) as possible.

Usage Examples:

1. A mother's understanding of her child's needs is often intuitive. (instinctive)

2. He asked me how I knew the answer to his question, and I told him that it was intuitive. (natural,
instinctive)

3. This software is so intuitive and easy to use, even my technologically inept mother was able to use it.
(instinctive)

4. She had an uneasy feeling walking home that night. And since her intuition was usually right, she
stopped by a friend’s house on the way. (hunch, instinct)

Malign-(verb, adjective)-(v.)-1. To say or write hurtful or damaging things about someone (adj.)1. Evil,
malevolent, or wanting to hurt others

Synonyms: (v.) vilify, defame, slander, denigrate, (adj.) injurious, slanderous, malevolent, malicious, vicious,
spiteful, evil

Antonyms: (v.) praise, (adj.) benign

Tips & Usage: When someone maligns another person in speech or writing, the damaging things said are often
untrue. Malign is related to the word malignant, which means "full of hate and showing a desire to harm
others." Malignant also denotes the ability to cause harm, as in a malignant tumor. For a memory trick, note
how malign sounds like mal lying. Now imagine you have a coworker named Mal, who has been lying about
you and has maligned (vilified, defamed, questioned, hurt) your reputation–you have been maligned
(undermined, vilified, hurt, damaged) by Mal's lying. For additional study, note that benign is an antonym of
malign. You have most likely come across other words with the prefix mal and the prefix bene. Mal is a
negative prefix that denotes bad things (malcontent, malignant), while bene is a positive prefix that denotes
good things (benign, benefactor, benevolent, beneficent).

Usage Examples:

1. Few things were as offensive to the aristocrat as to malign his family's name. (defame, denigrate)

2. His motives were malign, not good or kind. (vicious, evil, malicious)

3. He had a grudge against the company that fired him and maligned his former boss to everyone he met.
(vilified)

4. The reporter obviously had malign motives when he wrote the injurious story about the celebrity.
(slanderous, spiteful)

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Nascent-(adjective)-1. Newly coming into existence 2. Beginning to develop
Synonyms: new, primary, initial, developing, evolving, growing, budding, incipient

Antonyms: old, dying

Tips & Usage: Nascent comes from the Latin term nasci, which means "to be born." Nascent refers to things
emerging or recently having come into being and now developing. Nascent is synonymous with insipient. Both
are sophisticated words used to describe something new, developing, evolving, beginning, or budding. Nascent
is usually followed by a noun–nascent idea, nascent relationship–while incipient often stands alone:
"Democracy is insipient in that part of the world." Otherwise, these words can be used interchangeably.

Usage Examples:

1. The nascent community outreach program was already beginning to garner results. (new, developing)

2. The nascent industry is sure to boom, so I would buy in now. (budding, new)

3. Although we are still in our nascent stages, we certainly have high hopes for the future of our company.
(initial, developing)

4. She was very lucky they caught the cancer early, because in its nascent stages, it is still highly treatable.
(initial, primary)

Paradigm-(noun)-1. A model or a representative example 2. In science, a theoretical framework

Synonyms: model, example, pattern, archetype, prototype

Antonyms: anomaly

Tips & Usage: Paradigm can also be used, when discussing grammar, to mean all the possible inflections of a
word. The phrase “paradigm shift” is commonly used to mean "a change in the prevailing ideas or beliefs."

Usage Examples:

1. The teacher kept the student's essay as a paradigm for future students to emulate. (model, example)

2. The move from Newtonian Physics to Einstein's Relativism represented a major paradigm shift in
physics. (pattern, theoretical belief system)

3. He argued the case using a historical paradigm to illustrate his point. (example)

4. In order to compete in today's economy, many companies will require a paradigm shift in the way they
do business. (pattern, belief system)

Prolific-(adjective)-1. Abundant, fruitful, or producing many offspring 2. Very productive, in an intellectual

sense

Synonyms: fruitful, fertile, generative, bountiful, abundant, productive, inventive, creative

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Antonyms: scarce, infertile

Tips & Usage: Prolific originates from the Latin term proles, meaning "offspring." Something or someone
prolific can literally produce many offspring or can figuratively produce many creations, such as works of art or
writing.

Usage Examples:

1. He was a prolific writer, completing over 80 books in his lifetime. (productive, inventive)

2. This species of dandelion is highly prolific; once you see one, you will soon see many more. (fruitful,
fertile)

3. Well, that was a prolific teleconference. I’m glad we got so much accomplished. (productive)

4. He was a prolific artist, and his paintings were showcased in many art galleries around the world.
(creative, productive)

Recant-(verb)-1. To renounce a, usually controversial, belief 2. To take back a statement made earlier
Synonyms: renounce, retract, abjure, deny, withdraw, rescind

Antonyms: reaffirm

Tips & Usage: When someone recants (rejects a previously held belief), it is often done in public and is often a
result of outside pressure or disapproval. A usage note: recant does not always take an object. In such cases, the
implied object is the actor's views, beliefs, or previous statements. For example, "After years of silence, he
publicly recanted."

Usage Examples:

1. Nothing could make him recant his love for her. (deny, renounce)

2. When Martin Luther espoused views that opposed the traditional beliefs of the Catholic Church,
religious leaders asked him to recant. (retract his views, withdraw his claims)

3. I’d like to recant that statement. I really didn’t mean it the way it sounded. (retract, withdraw)

4. The newspaper was forced to recant a published article when it found that many of the sources had been
falsified. (retract)

Redeem-(verb)-1. To receive back or to pay off a debt 2. To get back into somebody's favor or good opinion 3.
To improve or make up for something 4. To pay off or compensate for something

Synonyms: fulfill, satisfy, recover, atone, convert, exchange, improve, absolve, repay

Antonyms: condemn

Tips & Usage: You will often hear redeem used in phrases like "redeem your check," or "redeem your coupon,"
which means "to execute or convert your check or coupon to cash or something of value." The related adjective

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redeeming often connotes something positive making up for something negative. Redemptive signifies having
the power or ability to redeem something. In Christianity, redemption refers to the power of Christ's sacrifice to
atone for people's sins. When you make up for doing something wrong or hurting someone, you redeem
yourself.

Usage Examples:

1. After making the mistake, he fervently looked for a way to redeem himself. (absolve, atone)

2. The fact that I got to redeem my coupon for free popcorn was the only redeeming feature of the awful
movie. (convert, exchange, satisfying, compensating)

3. When you consistently put money into an IRA account, you hope you will eventually redeem more
money than you put in. (recover)

4. He’s not one of our brightest employees, but he has many redeeming qualities that make him a pleasure
to have. (saving, compensating)

Stringent-(adjective)-Strict, severe, and controlling, especially used to describe rules that are intended to
protect people or prevent harm

Synonyms: strict, rigid, constricted, severe, rigorous, exacting

Antonyms: lax

Tips & Usage: Stringent is derived from the Latin word stringere, which means "to bind." You can think of
things that are stringent as being tight and constraining, just as being bound limits movement and freedom.
Stringent is often used when discussing safety and tightly defined rules. For example, “The stringent (strict,
defined) safety rules were designed to prevent accidents at the plant.”

Usage Examples:

1. The new requirements for obtaining a driver's license are much more stringent than in the past. (strict,
exacting)

2. After undergoing stringent testing, the new engine was declared ready for marketing. (rigorous)

3. The company had to put in some stringent security measures after it was discovered that some
employees were embezzling funds. (strict, severe)

4. It is important to have stringent safety regulations in industries where there is a potential for danger to
the workers. (strict, rigid)

Unprecedented-(adjective)-1. Having never happened before 2. Having no precedent, example, model, or

equivalent

Synonyms: novel, new, original, unparalleled, revolutionary

Antonyms: pedestrian, common

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Tips & Usage: If something is unprecedented, then it is without precedent. A precedent is an action or decision
that has happened in the past and can be used as an example for future, similar cases. If something is
unprecedented, it means it's new or beyond anything seen before. Unprecedented can refer to something
completely new or something that exceeds expectations in terms of growth or success.

Usage Examples:

1. The number of people who participated in this year's contest is unprecedented. (unparalleled, unrivaled)

2. The fact that a 14 year old girl won this tournament is unprecedented. (new, revolutionary)

3. In an unprecedented move, the creative director gave his staff the entire afternoon off. (original, new)

4. They had unprecedented sales last month due to high consumer demand. (unparalleled)

Voracious -(adjective)-1. Extremely hungry 2. Very eager and enthusiastic

Synonyms: hungry, ravenous, insatiable, rapacious, greedy, eager, avid

Antonyms: satiated

Tips & Usage: Voracious is a sophisticated way of describing hunger, whether it's literal hunger for food or
figurative hunger for knowledge. You will often hear the phrase "voracious reader." This is used to describe a
hunger and eagerness to read.

Usage Examples:

1. He is a voracious eater who dives into his food. (eager, very hungry)

2. He is a voracious reader that pours through several books a month. (eager, avid)

3. He is a voracious reader of history books and journals. (avid, eager)

4. I love to see children with a voracious appetite for knowledge. (eager, insatiable)

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Section 8 Test

1. He has always been an ___________ investor and has thus done quite well for himself.

2. I was going to ___________ the topic of my raise, but it didn’t seem like an opportune time to do so.

3. He has ___________ so much wealth during his years in the business, that he will retire a very rich man.

4. Many people believe the Internet is the new ___________ in marketing products directly to consumers.

5. That explanation is not ___________ with what we’ve heard so far.

6. She wasn’t expecting the bad news and was completely ___________ when she heard about it.

7. He’s always been very ___________, so if he has a feeling about something, it’s probably right.

8. I want to make sure that I understand what you’re saying. Therefore, could you please ___________
your last comment for me.

9. If you would ___________ me the opportunity to explain, I’m sure that we could clear this up.

10. While relaxing in the sun, sipping a cold drink, and thinking happy thoughts, she felt completely
___________.

11. Don’t worry if you ___________ during the presentation. Just try to relax, and I’m sure you’ll do well.

12. Unfortunately, Jake didn’t ___________ my advice, and now he’s out of a job.

13. There haven’t been any accidents in our facility for years. Consequently, it’s obvious that our
___________ safety measures are paying off.

14. It is ___________ that the project meets our deadline.

15. Michael’s testimony proved ___________ enough to convince the jury that he was not guilty of fraud.

16. The actress received an ___________ of congratulatory calls when she won the Oscar.

17. The teenage boy’s ___________ appetite was never satisfied for long.

18. It is not advisable to ___________ former coworkers because you never know who may be your
colleague in the future.

19. He was quite ___________ when we spoke on the phone, and I got the impression that he didn’t have
much time to talk.

20. It was lucky that the client cancelled the project in its ___________ stage, as opposed to later stages,
when there would have been many more hours put into it.

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21. The author’s ___________ writing produced many best sellers.

22. Although he ___________ his statement, the damage had already been done.

23. The president was forced to ___________ his position when he could no longer work because of his
illness.

24. I’m not sure if there’s any way Jack can ___________ himself after his huge blunder.

25. The candidate’s rise to the top of the polls was ___________ for someone who had so little prior
political experience.

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Section 8 Test Answers

1. astute
2. broach
3. garnered
4. paradigm
5. congruent
6. disconcerted
7. intuitive
8. elucidate
9. afford
10. euphoric
11. falter
12. heed
13. stringent
14. imperative
15. cogent
16. influx
17. voracious
18. malign
19. curt
20. nascent
21. prolific
22. recant
23. abdicate
24. redeem
25. unprecedented

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Section 9 Lessons

Abort-(verb)-1. To end prematurely 2. To abandon a mission or project

Synonyms: terminate, halt, stop, miscarry

Antonyms: continue

Tips & Usage: Abort is derived from the Latin word aboriri, meaning "to miscarry." Abort has several specific
uses that may be familiar. In medicine, it can refer to the early termination of a pregnancy. In business or
military affairs, abort may refer to the halting of a project or mission before it is complete. Finally, relating to
computers, abort can mean “to stop or end a program before it has finished its task.” The related adjective
abortive means "failed or unsuccessful."

Usage Examples:

1. Due to technical difficulties, the mission was aborted. (terminated, halted)

2. John's abortive attempt to ask Mary for a date was very funny to his friends. (unsuccessful)

3. Once the computer analyst realized that his client's computer was infected with a virus, he decided to
quickly abort all the operations that were running. (stop, halt)

4. The CEO didn't want to abort his company's planned takeover of the rival company, but with the sudden
changes in the market, he felt he had no choice. (stop, terminate)

Vigilant-(adjective)-Watchful and attentive to real or potential danger

Synonyms: watchful, attentive, alert, on guard, cautious, wary

Antonyms: negligent, lax

Tips & Usage: Vigilant is related to the word vigil, which means "a watch, observance, or prayer that typically
takes place at night." If you are vigilant, you are keeping a careful watch. We hear the word vigilant used by
politicians (usually the President) to describe how they will face enemies. Most people misinterpret the word to
mean steadfast and resolved Although this is implied, vigilant refers more to watching and keeping a close eye
on something bad. Think of the related word vigilante, which is used to denote a person who protects the people
(rather than relying on legal authorities)–a vigilante is vigilant in looking out for bad people and protecting
innocent people.

Usage Examples:

1. If you remain vigilant at all times, you are less likely to become a victim of crime. (alert, watchful,
cautious)

2. The vigilant security officer faithfully protected the building for many years. (attentive, watchful)

3. The store manager kept a vigilant eye on her inventory in order to prevent theft. (attentive)

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 4. I'm always vigilant about eating my vegetables in order to remain in good health. (watchful)

Aggregate-(noun, verb, adjective)-(n.)-1. Something formed by adding together several amounts or things 2.
A combination or composite of separate elements (v.)-1. To unite or bring together to form a whole 2. To add
up to a number (adj.)-1. Collected together from different sources to form a whole

Synonyms: (n.) collective, total, entirety, (v.) gather, amass, (adj.) combined, complete

Antonyms: (n.) element, unit, (adj.) individual, particular

Tips & Usage: Aggregate includes the Latin stem greg (from grex), meaning "flock," as in "flock of sheep."
Think of adding up a flock of sheep (aggregating) or bringing the flock together in aggregate. Greg is also the
source for the word gregarious, which means "someone who is sociable and likes to be with groups of people."
Think, "coming or bringing together."

Usage Examples:

1. The aggregate of church officials debated over the "Prayer in School" controversy. (collective)

2. The aggregate funds from various sources enabled the fund raiser to successfully proceed with the plan
for expansion. (total)

3. The aggregate sum of our losses is even more than you realize. (combined)

4. Why don’t we aggregate our research in order to combine our efforts on this proposal? (gather, amass)

Audacity-(noun)-1. Aggressive, boldness, or daring 2. Lack of respect

Synonyms: boldness, daring, impudence, insolence, brazenness

Antonyms: caution, fearfulness, reserve

Tips & Usage: Audacious is derived from the Latin term audere, meaning "to dare." Think of daring or having
the audacity to go where others fear to tread. The related adjective audacious refers to bold or brazen behavior,
usually brazen. For a memory trick, note how audacity sounds like "all day city." Now, imagine your boss has
the audacity (bravery and disrespect) to ask you to spend all day in the city, running petty errands for him. For
example, he makes you pick up his dry cleaning and wash his car. It would be audacious (bold and brazen) to
make you spend all day in the city running errands, and you might quit because of the request. The essence of
audacity and audacious is "having the bravery to do something that could offend others." Because of this, the
word has both a positive (bravery, bold) connotation and a negative (rude, impudent, disrespectful) connotation.

Usage Examples:

1. I can't believe he had the audacity to question my integrity in front of everyone. (bold, daring,
impudence)

2. Her audacity was seen by her teachers as a result of being spoiled. (insolence, impudence)

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 3. I can’t believe he had the audacity to steal my ideas and claim that they were his own. (daring,
impudence)

4. Bursting in during the board meeting was quite audacious of you. (bold, brazen)

Cadre-(noun)-1. A core group of people at the center of an organization, especially military 2. A small group
of highly trained people, often part of a political movement

Synonyms: core, framework, infrastructure, faculty, staff, personnel, organization

Antonyms: individual

Tips & Usage: Cadre is derived from the Latin term quadrum, meaning "a square." Think of a square
framework–a framework of individuals who constitute a skilled work force that can be expanded upon.

Usage Examples:

1. The cadre of political activists bore a unifying zeal for helping the environment. (organization)

2. The cadre of therapists volunteered to travel to the disaster area to assist victims and train locals to
understand psychological damage. (faculty)

3. The company needs a cadre of executives who can face the competitive challenges before them. (staff)

4. The President’s cadre is always on hand to advise and inform him as needed. (staff, personnel)

Cognitive-(adjective)-Of or pertaining to the mental processes of perceptions, memory, judgment, thinking

and reasoning

Synonyms: cerebral, intellectual, perceptive

Antonyms: emotional, intuitive

Tips & Usage: You will see the prefix cog in words that refer to thinking and reason: cognitive, cognizant,
cogent, and cognition. The word cognitive is related to cognizant, which refers to being aware or having
knowledge of a fact. Cognizant is a more sophisticated way of saying "aware.": For example, "We'll be
cognizant (aware) of the sensitive issue during the meeting." The related noun cognition refers to the ability to
acquire knowledge.

Usage Examples:

1. His cognitive abilities went undetected for years because of his social inhibition. (intellectual)

2. She was cognizant of her staff's opinion on the matter, but decided to override the general consensus.
(aware)

3. His strong cognitive abilities were an asset in solving this difficult problem. (intellectual)

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 4. Her responses to the questions were more cognitive than emotional. (intellectual)

Conjecture-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. Reasoning that involves the formation of conclusions from incomplete
information–speculation (v.)-1. To form an opinion based on speculation or assumption

Synonyms: (n.) speculation, hypothesis, assumption, guess, (v.) speculate, presume, suppose

Antonyms: demonstrate, prove

Tips & Usage: Conjecture is derived from the Latin term jacere, literally meaning "to throw together." Think,
"to throw together a guess or speculation." One hears conjecture in the legal field, frequently referring to
inferences not based solidly on hard evidence. Use conjecture as a more sophisticated way of saying
"speculate."

Usage Examples:

1. The defense attorney was angered by the prosecutor's commentary, which seemed to be pure conjecture.
(speculation)

2. There has been quite a bit of conjecture as to whether or not the celebrity couple got married over the
weekend. (speculation)

3. His claims were dismissed as mere conjecture because he didn’t have any evidence to support them.
(speculation, hypothesis)

4. The financial analyst wasn’t willing to conjecture on whether or not the Fed would once again lower
interest rates. (guess, speculate)

Convene-(verb)-1. To arrange (a group of people) 2. To assemble 3. To meet formally

Synonyms: summon, gather, assemble, congregate, meet

Antonyms: adjourn, disperse, disassemble

Tips & Usage: Convene is usually used in the context of formal meetings. Convene is a formal way of saying
"meet." In business meetings you may hear someone say, "Let's reconvene at a later time," meaning "Let's meet
again later." Convene can also mean "to order someone to appear in court, etc."

Usage Examples:

1. The jury will convene following the careful selection of jurors. (assemble)

2. The town council will convene daily until a decision is made on this issue. (congregate)

3. The United Nations convened in an emergency meeting. (met, assembled)

4. The leaders of several countries convened the meeting to discuss the dire situation in the Middle East.
(summoned)

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Cull-(verb)-1. To remove something undesirable or inferior from a group 2. To select or pick something from a
group, especially to use as an example

Synonyms: extract, select, pick, pluck, choose, glean, remove, compile, gather

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Cull is an old farming word that was used to describe the selection of livestock. Since this
entailed both selecting and organizing the "good" livestock and removing the "bad," cull now has two almost
contradictory uses. One is to remove anything negative, the other is to collect and bring together the good.
When using these two definitions, think of the idea of selecting the good components from a group and getting
rid of the bad components. The selecting of good components is similar to coalesce, but more specific to
selecting the right components, versus coalesce, which means "to bring together and organize resources." Cull
can also be used as a noun to denote the thing that has been discarded or selected. Cull is also closely related to
glean. See detailed analysis at glean.

Usage Examples:

1. The scientists wished to cull test subjects who refused to follow protocol. (remove)

2. The network decided to cull the best photographs of the President in light of the upcoming political
campaign. (select, compile)

3. Now that I’ve done my research, I’ll have to cull the data in a concise report. (compile, gather)

4. We need to cull this company of inefficient employees. (pluck, remove, eliminate)

Discourse-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. Verbal communication 2. Formal, extended expression of thought on a subject

(v.) To converse or discuss

Synonyms: (n.) talk, dialogue, conversation, discussion, speech, lecture, thesis, (v.) discuss, communicate,
converse

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: In business, discourse is a formal term for individual expression or serious discussion between
individuals. As a noun, discourse is a more sophisticated way to say "discussion."

Usage Examples:

1. His passionate political discourse caused a stir among the students. (dialogue, speech)

2. The paralegals kept their discourse to a hushed whisper due to the volatile nature of the case.
(discussion, conversation)

3. The discourse around the dinner table mainly surrounded their vacation plans. (talk, conversation)

4. I would like to engage him in discourse regarding plans for a company expansion. (dialogue,
conversation)

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Elusive-(adjective)-1. Hard to comprehend or define 2. Hard to isolate or identify 3. Tending to evade grasp or
pursuit 4. Difficult to remember

Synonyms: ambiguous, evasive, deceptive, intangible, mysterious, fleeting, obscure

Antonyms: tangible, straightforward

Tips & Usage: Elusive is derived from the Latin term eludere, meaning "to elude." If a concept escapes you, it
eludes you. When something is elusive, it is hard to capture or causes confusion. Note: do not confuse elusive
with its homonym illusive, which means "not real, based on illusion."

Usage Examples:

1. The vaccine seemed within reach, yet remained elusive to the researchers. (intangible, evasive)

2. The elusive quality of the quiet celebrity drove the media to pursue her in earnest. (evasive, mysterious)

3. The sales manager’s efforts to contact the elusive company vice president finally paid off after many
attempts. (evasive)

4. For many people, love is elusive; they just can’t seem to find the right person. (intangible, fleeting)

Feasible-(adjective)-Capable of being done or carried out

Synonyms: possible, attainable, workable, viable, doable, achievable

Antonyms: impossible, impractical, unlikely

Tips & Usage: Feasible is derived from the Anglo-French term faisible, meaning "do or make." Think, “able to
be done or made.” The related noun feat is an "accomplishment" or "achievement." If a feat (accomplishment)
is feasible, it can be achieved. In business, use feasible as a positive way of responding to challenges: If
someone asks you if something can be done, say "Yes, it is feasible." The related noun feasibility means
“probability or likelihood.”

Usage Examples:

1. The producer was concerned about the feasibility of the special effects in the movie. (viability,
probability)

2. She felt it was feasible to make it on her own in a new city. (possible, achievable)

3. Yes, I think your plan is feasible, but it will require a lot of work. (viable, doable)

4. The feasibility of us getting this account is not very high. (probability, likelihood)

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Germane-(adjective)-Relevant and appropriate to a given matter

Synonyms: relevant, fitting, pertinent, applicable

Antonyms: irrelevant, unsuitable

Tips & Usage: Germane is derived from the Middle English term germain, which literally means "akin." It is
often used in meetings and hearings to keep topics pertinent to the discussion. It is a more sophisticated term for
"relevant." Germane is more specific than relevant, as it usually refers to a close connection–"akin." If you say
something is germane to your discussion, it has a close relationship to what you are discussing. Think, "a kin,"
as in, "of the same family," (highly related and appropriate). Germane is related to relevant, apposite, and
pertinent. See relevant for additional analysis. For a memory trick, note how germane sounds a little like "your
name." Think how germane (relevant, appropriate) your name is to the conversation upon first meeting
someone. Usage Examples:

1. As long as his ideas were germane to the business at hand, he was allowed to expound on them.
(relevant)

2. Attorneys' comments must remain germane to the case being tried. (pertinent)

3. Bobby, what are you talking about? Your statement isn’t even germane to this conversation. (relevant)

4. That particular research isn’t germane to this proposal; we’ll have to find data that’s more applicable.
(pertinent, applicable)

Impetuous-(adjective)-1. Characterized by undue haste and lack of thought–done impulsively 2. Having great
force or energy

Synonyms: heedless, impulsive, hasty, abrupt, sudden, rash, forceful, violent

Antonyms: cautious, restrained, prudent

Tips & Usage: Impetuous can describe a personality type or action which can be charming, yet impractical and
overly impulsive–the type of person who does not think things through before acting. Impetuous is similar in
meaning to impulsive and rash. If you are impulsive, you are prone to act without thinking. If you are rash, you
are most likely being reckless and not thinking things through before your act. If you are impetuous, you are
overly eager to start or do something without thinking it through.

Usage Examples:

1. The CEO is probably regretting his impetuous promise to the board that he could increase revenue by
20%. (hasty, impulsive)

2. She can be so impetuous! Why can't she just think things through before she makes important decisions?
(heedless, rash)

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 3. Linda is a bit of a loose cannon. She’s great with clients, but her impetuous nature causes her to make
promises the company can’t always keep. (impulsive, heedless)

4. Don’t be so impetuous in saying "No" to my ideas; think them through first. (hasty, abrupt)

Infrastructure-(noun)-1. The basic underlying framework or features of a system or organization 2. Large

scale public systems like power, water supply, roads, public transportation, etc.

Synonyms: groundwork, foundation, framework

Antonyms: superstructure

Tips & Usage: Infrastructure refers to the foundation of an organization as well as large scale public systems
(such as roads and public buildings) of a country or region. You will often hear information technology (I.T.)
professionals discuss their network infrastructure for their computer network.

Usage Examples:

1. Our company's success depends on the careful development of a solid marketing infrastructure.
(foundation, groundwork)

2. The intricate infrastructure of ancient Rome has always intrigued historians. (framework)

3. The company needed a more robust network infrastructure to support its growing computer needs.
(framework, foundation)

4. Cities that host the Olympic games must usually add a good deal of infrastructure, such as additional
hotels, highways, public transportation systems, and sporting facilities. (groundwork, public systems)

Inundate-(verb)-To overwhelm with a huge quantity of things that must be dealt with
Synonyms: overflow, overwhelm, deluge, swamp, flood

Antonym : underwhelm

Tips & Usage: Inundate is derived from the Latin term inundatus, meaning "wave." Think of in and under, as if
flooded. In business, to be described as inundated often refers to being swamped or flooded with work.

Usage Examples:

1. To inundate the social workers with paperwork will leave little time for personal interaction. (deluge,
swamp)

2. After the press release for its new drug, the pharmaceutical company was inundated with questions from
the public. (overwhelmed)

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 3. When her friends heard about Jenna’s big promotion, her office was inundated with congratulatory
flowers. (flooded)

4. I’ve been inundated with so many telemarketing calls recently, that I’m thinking of changing my phone
number. (deluged, overwhelmed)

Nebulous-(adjective)-Not clear, distinct, or definite

Synonyms: indistinct, vague, unclear, ambiguous, unfixed, confused

Antonyms: distinct, defined, specific

Tips & Usage: Nebulous is derived from the Latin term nebulosus, meaning "misty." Ideas or concepts remain
nebulous (misty, vague, unclear) if not thought through or communicated properly.

Usage Examples:

1. Her goals for the future were nebulous–lacking any clear plan. (vague, unclear)

2. This proposal is still pretty nebulous. Therefore, we really need to make it more clear before we send it
to the client. (unclear, ambiguous)

3. We need a more definitive strategy because the current plan is nebulous and doesn’t specifically address
our critical success factors. (vague, unclear)

4. The report was a nebulous document that failed to provide any definitive recommendations. (vague)

Nexus-(noun)-1. A connection between individuals or a link in a series 2. A connected group 3. A central

focus

Synonyms: connection, relation, link, liaison, bond, tie

Antonyms: separation, divide

Tips & Usage: Nexus is derived from the Latin term nectere, meaning "to bind." Use nexus as a sophisticated
way of describing a connection or relation. Since something central often connects outside things to each other,
nexus has also come to denote “a center of focus.”

Usage Examples:

1. Those who would like to see some type of campaign finance reform hope to break the nexus between
money and politics. (connection, link)

2. Scientists believe they have found the nexus between modern man and pre-humans. (link)

3. A good account service manager becomes the nexus between his company and his clients. (connection,
liaison)

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 4. The nexus between the families can be traced back many generations. (bond, tie)

Paradox-(noun)-1. A situation or statement which seems impossible or is difficult to understand because it

contains two opposite facts or characteristics 2. A statement or idea that contradicts itself 3. A person who has
qualities that are contradictory 4. Something that conflicts with common opinion or belief

Synonyms: contradiction, inconsistency, incongruity, reversal, puzzle, dilemma, oxymoron

Antonyms: consistency, congruity, coherence, agreement

Tips & Usage: Paradox is derived from the Greek word paradoxos, which literally means “contrary to opinion.”
It is often interesting to point out a paradoxical situation. Something may defy common sense, yet work
anyway. Paradox is often used to describe something that is puzzling because of its contradiction. See enigma
for further analysis of paradox.

Usage Examples:

1. It seems a paradox that exercise promotes energy, while remaining inactive drains it. (contradiction,
puzzle)

2. It is a paradox that technology increases communication, yet can tend to make people feel isolated.
(incongruity, contradiction)

3. There was a huge paradox in her testimony: how could she have been in two places at the same time?
(contradiction, inconsistency)

4. "The Chicken or the Egg" is perhaps the greatest paradox known to man. (puzzle, dilemma)

Pinnacle-(noun)-Highest level or degree of success attainable

Synonyms: summit, apex, height, culmination, peak

Antonyms: bottom, depth, anticlimax

Tips & Usage: In business, pinnacle describes ultimate achievement or the prime of a career. In geography,
pinnacle refers to the peak of a mountain, especially one that is distinctly pointed. In architecture, pinnacle
refers to a pointed architectural ornament.

Usage Examples:

1. The pinnacle of his career was when his peers gave him a standing ovation at the awards ceremony.
(height, apex)

2. The marathoner did not realize that the pinnacle of her running career would not be reached until after
her 40th birthday. (apex, height)

3. Now that he has reached the pinnacle of his career, he’s considering retirement. (height, culmination)

4. For many mountain climbers, reaching the pinnacle of Mt. Everest means the pinnacle of their
mountaineering career. (summit, peak, height)

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Prompting-(noun)-Something that gives incentive for action
Synonyms: incentive, instigation, urging, prompt

Antonyms: dissuading, discouraging

Tips & Usage: The related verb prompt means “to hint, suggest, provoke, or induce.” Prompting and prompt
can be used interchangeably, in both the noun and verb usage. However, prompt also refers to a physical signal
to begin something, like a nudge or head nod.

Usage Examples:

1. At the attorney’s prompting, the witness gave her testimony. (urging)

2. His prompt was all I needed to begin my speech. (prompting, spur, nudge)

3. The professor's compliment prompted the student to apply to law school. (urged, incentivized)

4. With the right amount of prompting, the child will do as you wish. (incentive)

Reconcile-(verb)-1. To restore harmony or end conflict 2. To accept as inevitable 3. To make two or more
conflicting things compatible or consistent with each other

Synonyms: settle, resolve, pacify, resign, submit, yield, persuade, convince, win over, adjust, conform

Antonyms: estrange, separate, sever

Tips & Usage: Reconcile is derived from the Latin term reconciliare, which literally means, “to make friendly
again.” The related noun reconciliation refers to restoring a relationship or accepting an unpleasant situation or
fate. Reconcile is often used in accounting and finance to describe adjusting or correcting numbers. To reconcile
(yourself) to a situation is to accept it even if it is unpleasant or painful. To reconcile is to also balance two
opposing beliefs or philosophies: "How do you reconcile your affinity for leather clothes with your opposition
to eating beef and killing cows?"

Usage Examples:

1. The union leaders reconciled with the company when both succumbed to compromise. (settled)

2. When Jane and Stewart realized that their long standing feud was affecting the whole family, they
decided to reconcile their differences. (resolve, settle)

3. We will need to reconcile all of the cancelled checks against invoices to verify that we paid our
expenses. (adjust)

4. She reconciled herself to the fact that she would never become a famous actress. (resigned)

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Sagacious-(adjective)-1. Acutely insightful 2. Of keen intelligence and sound judgment–wise
Synonyms: wise, discerning, prudent, savvy, astute, judicious

Antonyms: naive, unintelligent, ignorant, senseless

Tips & Usage: Sagacious is derived from the Latin words sagus, meaning "prophetic," and sagax, meaning
"keen senses." Sagacious is a more formal and sophisticated way of saying "wise." Since sagacious is derived
from a word that means "prophetic," or able to predict the future, use sagacious to describe someone who is
wise enough to predict the future or anticipate problems and plan accordingly. The related noun, sagacity, refers
to profound knowledge and understanding. Sagacious is synonymous with discerning and judicious.

Usage Examples:

1. Among her friends, she is considered the sagacious one, the one to go to for advice. (prudent, wise)

2. The sagacious psychotherapist's reputation preceded him. (wise, astute)

3. His sagacity made him one of my favorite people to turn to for advice. (knowledge, understanding,
wisdom)

4. His sagacious planning helps him get jobs done on time. (prudent, savvy)

Subjective-(adjective)-1. Modified by individual bias, rather than based on facts 2. Based on views,
experience, or background particular to a given person 3. Existing only in the mind and not independently of it

Synonyms: prejudiced, personal, arbitrary, biased, individual

Antonyms: objective, non-subjective

Tips & Usage: Subjective is used to describe decision making that is colored by personal preferences and
feelings, rather than by clear-cut, objective measurements or criteria. For example, who can determine whether
a piece of art is great or horrible? Individuals have different opinions that are subjective. The opposite of
subjective is objective.

Usage Examples:

1. My subjective evaluation of the situation calls for an outside point of view, for balance. (personal,
biased)

2. His brother did not testify due to his highly subjective point of view. (prejudiced, biased, arbitrary)

3. Discussing fine art is difficult because the nature of art itself is entirely subjective. (personal, individual)

4. There is no right or wrong answer with a topic that’s so subjective; everyone will have his own opinion.
(personal, arbitrary)

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Trite-(adjective)-Lacking interest or originality because of frequent repetition
Synonyms: hackneyed, commonplace, banal, ordinary, stale, stereotyped

Antonyms: original, fresh, stimulating, interesting, inspiring

Tips & Usage: Trite is derived from the Latin word trituswear, which means, "to rub away." Think of using
something so much its value is rubbed away. When something is trite, it is unoriginal and no longer interesting.
Through overuse, a trite comment lacks power to evoke interest. Trite is synonymous with banal and
hackneyed.

Usage Examples:

1. The big budget action films are becoming trite as they run out of original story lines. (banal, unoriginal)

2. A series of trite comments by the reporter prompted me to change the channel. (hackneyed, banal)

3. Even clever advertising concepts can be used so often that they become trite. (banal, commonplace,
stale)

4. He didn’t impress anybody with his trite remarks during the meeting. (hackneyed, stale)

Vigor-(noun)-1. Strength, enthusiasm, and energy of body or mind 2. Capacity for natural growth and survival
Synonyms: force, strength, energy, vitality, intensity, liveliness, verve, dynamism

Antonyms: apathy, lethargy, listlessness, stagnation

Tips & Usage: Generally, youth is associated with vigor. Health and strength also represent vigor. The related
adjective vigorous describes action done with intensity or forcefulness.

Usage Examples:

1. Jack LaLanne displayed great vigor for a man of his age. (vitality, liveliness)

2. His vigorous workouts led him to the State Championship. (intense, energetic)

3. He has so much vigor; I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran this company for another twenty years. (vitality,
energy)

4. The company began to see higher profits after its vigorous restructuring. (forceful, intense)

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Section 9 Test

1. We have to ____________ the project now, before we lose even more money.

2. You have to be persistent if you want to catch the ____________ procurement manager on the phone.

3. Our ____________ earnings on this project have topped $2 million.

4. Whether or not it was the right decision is mere ____________ until we see the final results.

5. I can’t believe he had the ____________ to ask me to help him with his project after he rebuffed my
earlier request for his help.

6. The CEO has a loyal ____________ of executives that he relies on for different projects.

7. I was disappointed in the report; I thought it was a ____________ document that failed to provide any
definitive recommendations.

8. The company announced its largest layoff ever: ____________ over 30% of its workforce.

9. I understand the problem and am very ____________ of the logistical issues we are facing.

10. The President’s scandal became the focus of ____________ around the water cooler.

11. I believe it is ____________ , but unlikely, that he will accept our offer.

12. She is known for being ____________ and making hasty decisions without thinking through the
consequences.

13. You can’t surf the web without being ____________ with banner ads.

14. Consultants have a habit of overusing strategic analogies and concepts to the point that they become
____________, and thus lose their impact.

15. Many believe it will be impossible to break the ____________ of money and politics.

16. Most baseball players agree that winning the World Series is the ____________ of success for a team.

17. The memo stated that we are all supposed to ____________ in the board room at 9:00.

18. The computer will make a beeping noise to ____________ you when you make a mistake.

19. The city council has grand plans for rebuilding its roads, bridges, parks, and other ____________
investments.

20. I hope they can find a way to ____________ their differences and come to a meaningful agreement.

21. The CEO was adept at focusing only on issues that were ____________ to the future growth of the
company.

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22. His projects are always successful because of his systematic and ____________ planning.

23. Wine tasting can be very ____________ . Two people can drink the same wine and have conflicting
opinions.

24. The increase in unemployment, coupled with the increase in consumer confidence, was an interesting
____________.

25. He is in the office by 5:00 AM and on the run all day. I’m amazed by his ____________.

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Section 9 Test Answers

1. abort
2. elusive
3. aggregate
4. conjecture
5. audacity
6. cadre
7. nebulous
8. culling
9. cognizant
10. discourse
11. feasible
12. impetuous
13. inundated
14. trite
15. nexus
16. pinnacle
17. convene
18. prompt
19. infrastructure
20. reconcile
21. germane
22. sagacious
23. subjective
24. paradox
25. vigor

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Section 10 Lessons

Abreast-(adverb, adjective)-(adv.)-1. Alongside each other, moving in one direction (adj.)-1. Well informed,
up to date on a subject

Synonyms: alongside, aligned, adjacent, informed, apprised

Antonyms: unaware, uninformed

Tips & Usage: Abreast can refer to a physical stance, as in being alongside someone or something, but often it
refers to staying knowledgeable about recent developments in a given situation. Think, if you are abreast
(alongside, next to) something, you can easily keep abreast (up to date, knowledgeable) of it because you are
right next to it.

Usage Examples:

1. Keeping abreast of developments in the crisis allowed the police chief to act appropriately when the
opportunity arose. (informed, up to date)

2. With so many news websites on the Internet, it is much easier to keep abreast of current events.
(apprised)

3. Although their cubicles were abreast of each other, Gina and Gary hardly ever talked. (adjacent)

4. Please keep me abreast of the latest information. (informed, apprised)

Alacrity-(noun)-Cheerful and speedy readiness

Synonyms: readiness, vivacity, celerity, briskness, liveliness, eagerness, alertness, quickness, promptness

Antonyms: apathy, disinclination, reluctance, reservation

Tips & Usage: Alacrity is a positive attitude in action. Alacrity is a great word to describe the readiness and
eagerness of someone taking on a new job or challenge. It would be good to describe oneself as having alacrity
for certain projects in an interview.

Usage Examples:

1. The crewmember impressed his manager with his consistent alacrity for his work. (eagerness, readiness)

2. The salesman's disabilities did not dampen his infectious alacrity for selling. (eagerness, readiness)

3. His boss was very happy when Charles accepted the challenging project with alacrity. (vivacity,
readiness, eagerness)

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 4. The corporation’s alacrity allowed it to stay competitive in a quickly evolving market. (alertness,
quickness)

Augment-(verb)-To increase or make greater by adding something

Synonyms: supplement, increase, expand, intensify, enlarge, enhance

Antonyms: attenuate, decrease, degrade, reduce

Tips & Usage: Augment is often used in business to describe an attempt to increase presence or visibility (
augment our presence by adding more stores in the area) or to strengthen a marketing program (augment our TV
advertising with online advertising). Augmentation does not create, but makes something already developed
greater, bigger, or stronger. For a memory trick, think of the cosmetic surgery procedure breast augmentation–
the process of enlarging and enhancing breasts.

Usage Examples:

1. The senator's salary was augmented by funds obtained from illegal bribes. (supplemented, enhanced)

2. If you want to augment your investment portfolio, you'll have to take some calculated risks. (expand,
enlarge)

3. We want to augment our sales efforts in Phoenix by adding 12 new sales associates. (expand, intensify)

4. We want to augment our presence in the area by running more television and newspaper advertisements.
(increase, expand)

Caliber-(noun)-1. Degree of worth and intelligence 2. Measurement of excellence

Synonyms: quality, degree, measurement, stature, worth, value, merit, constitution, character, essence

Antonyms: inability, limitation

Tips & Usage: Caliber essentially refers to the quality of someone or something. If someone is complimented as
having high caliber, that person is respected.

Usage Examples:

1. I wish to earn the respect of those I consider to be of high caliber. (stature, merit)

2. The caliber of students at my Alma Mater has increased over the last few years. (quality)

3. The caliber of your presentation was excellent. (quality, essence)

4. High standards and integrity created a demeanor of high caliber for the diplomat. (merit, character)

Concession-(noun)-1. Reluctant act of compromising 2. Admitting to point in an argument 3. A special

privilege granted to someone 4. The right to use land for special privilege

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Synonyms: compromise, acknowledgment, admission, allowance, grant, acquiescence, assent, permission,
authorization

Antonyms: denial, disputation, protest

Tips & Usage: The related verb concede means "to admit" or "acknowledge." If you make a point in an
argument, then admit that someone else is right, you are conceding the point. In politics, a concession speech is
one where the loser concedes (acknowledges his loss and his opponent's victory). When negotiating, each side
makes concessions–it gives something up in order to find a compromise. A concession stand is a stand that has
been given special license to sell goods. Concession stands are often found at sporting events and are authorized
to sell sports memorabilia, souvenirs, and food items.

Usage Examples:

1. She felt that making a concession early in the argument might grant her bartering power on bigger
issues. (compromise, grant)

2. Both sides will need to make some concessions in order for the deal to go through. (compromises,
allowances)

3. The defense attorney asked the judge for a concession so that he could have more time to prepare his
case. (allowance)

4. Political candidates usually concede a race when it becomes clear that they will lose. (acknowledge,
admit defeat)

Connote-(verb)-1. To imply something additional to the literal meaning of something 2. To imply a condition
or consequence

Synonyms: suggest, imply, insinuate, allude, indicate, convey

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: When ideas are connoted, they are not directly stated, but rather implied. Some words give an
automatic association of ideas through common usage that are not explicit, but are implied. For example, the
word hearth often connotes coziness and warmth. The related noun connotation refers to an implied meaning or
insinuation. Connote is different from denote because to denote actually means "to explicitly define."

Usage Examples:

1. The musical refrain in the movie gave a connotation of impending doom. (implication)

2. To me, hugs connote love, friendship, and kindness. (imply, convey)

3. His silence in response to your questions may connote that he’s thinking it through before answering, or
it might mean that he simply didn’t hear you. (suggest, indicate)

4. I don't understand how the word lady could have a negative connotation, but many feminists feel it does.
(suggestion, insinuation)

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Culmination-(noun)-1. A final climactic point in activity 2. Development of events coming to completion
Synonyms: climax, pinnacle, summit, consummation, fulfillment

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: If an event or series of events culminates into something, it ends with it, having developed until
it reaches this point. Culmination refers to the highest result or achievement of a process. For example, an
election day is the natural culmination of a campaign. In business, one often hears of something achieved
through the "culmination of hard work."

Usage Examples:

1. The culmination of the couple's saving and sacrificing led to the purchase of their new house. (pinnacle)

2. Shattering the world record was the culmination of the gymnast's arduous training. (pinnacle,
fulfillment)

3. Election day was the final culmination of the team’s hard work throughout the campaign. (climax,
summit)

4. The play came to a dramatic culmination, and the audience roared with applause. (climax)

Discovery-(noun)-1. The finding out about something previously unknown 2. Something newly discovered or
found out 3. In law, a pretrial disclosure of facts or documents

Synonyms: finding, ascertainment, detection, uncovering, revelation, disclosure

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The word discovery is commonly used in place of "a finding." In law, discovery is a pretrial
disclosure of information by one or both parties. Discovery can also be used in business when discussing the
preparation phase prior to starting a project.

Usage Examples:

1. What a wondrous discovery hiking had become to the formerly reclusive city dweller! (finding,
revelation)

2. The trial is still in the discovery phase, and both sides will need a few days to read through all the
documents. (disclosure)

3. Before we begin a large project, we always do discovery in order to define all the issues. (ascertainment)

4. The cure for cancer will be a historically important discovery. (finding, revelation)

Emphatic-(adjective)-Expressed with emphasis or decisive action, and leaving no doubt as to your intentions
or meaning

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Synonyms: forcible, earnest, insistent, energetic, striking, significant, resounding

Antonyms: halfhearted, understated, vague

Tips & Usage: Something emphatic is done or said in a strong way and without any doubt. If a statement is
made emphatically, there is no doubt as to what was said and meant. Also, the person making the statement is
very serious.

Usage Examples:

1. She was so emphatic about her political point of view that she found it impossible to listen to differing
opinions. (insistent, earnest)

2. The judge's emphatic lecture made it clear that he would not tolerate any disrespect. (resounding)

3. He was emphatic when speaking about the new policies, and it was clear that he deeply believed in
them. (energetic, resounding)

4. John was emphatically opposed to the legislation and wrote to his congressman to express his strong
concerns. (insistently, resoundingly)

Exacerbate-(verb)-To make more violent, bitter, or severe–to make worse

Synonyms: compound, aggravate, heighten, intensify, vex, worsen, irritate

Antonyms: appease, assuage, calm, ease, mitigate, mollify, pacify, placate

Tips & Usage: To exacerbate a situation is to worsen or irritate it. The word exacerbate is usually used
differently than the word exasperate, although they are commonly listed as synonyms. People usually feel
exasperated (frustrated, annoyed), and their problems can be exacerbated (made worse). Remember,
exasperated has per, so think of a person being annoyed or exasperated. Also, think of cer, in the word ulcer–
being made worse or exacerbated by stress.

Usage Examples:

1. Please try to keep down the noise It’s exacerbating my headache. (aggravating, intensifying)

2. Some people feel that higher divorce rates will exacerbate teenage behavioral problems. (aggravate,
intensify)

3. You should probably leave him alone for a while. You’ll only exacerbate his anger if you try to talk to
him now. (aggravate)

4. Stress can exacerbate your ulcer, so try to relax and take it easy. (worsen, irritate)

Fervent-(adjective)-Showing great intensity of feeling or zeal

Synonyms: impassioned, zealous, burning, earnest, vehement, ardent

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Antonyms: dispirited, indifferent, cool, unenthusiastic

Tips & Usage: Fervent literally means "very hot." Think, fever or passion for something. Fervent often precedes
the word desire to indicate degree of motivation. Fervent is synonymous with fervid, vehement, ardent, and
zealous. All these words are used to describe deep, passionate emotions and beliefs. The origin of these words
come from root words that meant “to boil” (fervid and fervent), “fire” (ardent), “strong force” (vehement) and
“religious passion” (zealous). Fervent and ardent are best used to describe deep burning passion for a cause,
something, or someone. Vehement is used to describe a person's deep convictions. Zealous is often used to
describe a person who is passionate about something like religion and wants to "convert" people to his way of
thinking.

Usage Examples:

1. The ambitious student had a fervent desire to complete her college education in three years.
(impassioned, earnest)

2. Opposing fervent belief systems cause much dissention in some parts of the world. (zealous)

3. Her fervent desire to help those in need led her to join the peace corps, travel to Africa, and feed starving
children. (impassioned)

4. He was fervent in his political views and enjoyed discussing them at length. (zealous, ardent)

Impetus-(noun)-1. A driving force providing the necessary energy to accomplish something 2. A force of
motion

Synonyms: dynamic, spur, catalyst, incentive, motive, driving force

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: An impetus urges or impels people to do or complete something. You can also use impetus as a
more sophisticated way of saying "driving force," "motivation," and "reason" for doing or achieving something.

Usage Examples:

1. A life-altering brush with death brought an impetus for change to John's life. (incentive, reason)

2. A tightened deadline brought an impetus for completion of the project. (catalyst, spur)

3. The great employees of this company are the impetus behind our success. (driving force)

4. My family’s support and encouragement were the impetus behind my decision to run for office. (spur,
force)

Incentive-(noun)-Something that encourages action

Synonyms: inducement, enticement, instigation, stimulus, motivation, impetus, encouragement, inspiration

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Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Fear of punishment or expectation of reward is an incentive to stop or start action. An incentive
can also refer to additional payment to an employee to increase output and productivity. Incentive can also be
used as an adjective to describe anything which motivates or encourages.

Usage Examples:

1. The promise of a promotion and raise gave her the incentive she needed to bring in more sales.
(stimulus, motive)

2. Newly single, he suddenly had incentive to begin a self-improvement program. (motive, inspiration)

3. Our company gave its employees great benefits and stock options as incentive to stay on for the long
term. (encouragement, motive)

4. Automakers often offer incentive plans to new buyers in order to drive sales. (inducement, enticement)

Ingrained-(adjective)-Deeply rooted into habit or constitution

Synonyms: fundamental, intrinsic, rooted, ineradicable, deep-seated, inherent, entrenched

Antonyms: outward, external

Tips & Usage: Ideas and principles can become ingrained, or deeply rooted, into the natural fiber of a person or
culture. When something is ingrained, it is deep-seated and nearly impossible to change or remove.

Usage Examples:

1. The harsh memories became ingrained within her, causing her to have nightmares and irrational fears.
(deep-seated, rooted)

2. Our holiday traditions are ingrained within our family, and we would never think of changing them.
(deep-rooted)

3. Her good manners were ingrained in her by her parents and became a natural part of her personality.
(entrenched)

4. The CEO stressed the importance of quality so often that it became ingrained in every aspect of the
company’s operation. (fundamental, entrenched, intrinsic)

Inveterate-(adjective)-1. Habitual and settled on by long continuance 2. Firmly established

Synonyms: habitual, confirmed, chronic, abiding, protracted, customary

Antonyms: intermittent, temporary, occasional

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Tips & Usage: Inveterate habits are often obstinate, long standing, and deeply rooted. You will often hear of
people being characterized as "inveterate smokers" or an "inveterate nail biters," meaning they are chronic or
habitual in their bad habits. A person with inveterate behavior can be said to be "die-hard."

Usage Examples:

1. He was an inveterate smoker, and there was little hope of him being able to quit. (habitual)

2. Even after retiring from the navy seals, he was unable to discontinue his inveterate visual scanning of a
room. (habitual, customary)

3. She is known as an inveterate liar, so beware of believing her. (chronic, habitual)

4. Whenever he gets nervous, he becomes an inveterate nail-biter and can’t control his bad habit. (chronic,
habitual)

Mandate-(noun)-1. An order or charge 2. A document giving an official instruction or command

Synonyms: order, command, ruling, decree, requirement, sanction, edict, writ, authorization, dictate, directive

Antonyms: option, preference, privilege

Tips & Usage: A mandate is a "mandatory," or compulsory, charge. In politics, a mandate is often used to
denote an overwhelming approval of voters for a politician, political party, or a new proposition. If 70% of
voters supported a proposition, it would be a clear mandate (directive, order) by the voters. Mandate can also be
used as a verb meaning "to assign" or "dictate" an order.

Usage Examples:

1. By electing the Republican, voters sent a clear mandate that they wanted tax relief. (edict, directive)

2. A quality mandate has been sent down from upper management; everyone must follow the strictest
quality control. (requirement, directive)

3. The CEO should mandate responsibilities to his team so that everyone is clear on what needs to be done.
(assign, dictate)

4. In order to cut costs, the company created a new mandate which prohibited executives from flying first
class. (ruling, sanction)

Negate-(verb)-1. Show to be false 2. To cause to be invalid 3. To cause something to have no effect

Synonyms: deny, invalidate, retract, revoke, disprove, annul, nullify, neutralize, cancel, repeal

Antonyms: validate, affirm, attest, prove

Tips & Usage: Negate is derived from the Latin word negatus, meaning "to say no." In an argument, you may
want to negate, or prove invalid, your partner's opposing viewpoint.

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Usage Examples:

1. She negated the trust he had acquired in her by telling a blatant lie. (invalidated)

2. The astronomical gas prices will negate wage increases for many people. (neutralize)

3. Writing that scathing letter would surely negate all my efforts to settle our differences. (cancel,
invalidate)

4. Her actions negated her statements and proved her to be a hypocrite. (disproved, invalidated)

Prodigious-(adjective)-1. Great in ability, amount, or strength 2. Of momentous and amazing significance

Synonyms: vast, monumental, immense, enormous, amazing, stupendous, extraordinary

Antonyms: small, common, simple, diminutive

Tips & Usage: When learning the word prodigious, think of the related word prodigy (something impressive or
someone who shows exceptional talent for something). Both prodigy and prodigious are derived from the same
Latin word prodigiosus, which means "strange, wonderful, marvelous." Prodigious is a sophisticated way of
commenting on something monumental–large in nature and successful.

Usage Examples:

1. The prodigious amount of water from the storm caused the entire golf course to flood. (enormous)

2. The TV show American Idol is designed to discover prodigious musical talent. (extraordinary)

3. The prodigious fundraiser brought in more contributions for the charity than all of its past fundraisers
combined. (monumental)

4. His prodigious talent for negotiations consistently saved the company large amounts of money.
(amazing)

Placate-(verb)-To sooth or make somebody less upset, usually by concessions

Synonyms: appease, pacify, mollify, conciliate

Antonyms: aggravate, antagonize, provoke, ruffle

Tips & Usage: In business, an important skill would be the ability to placate, or calm, a disgruntled client. To
placate someone who is upset usually requires making a concession (giving something up) in order to pacify the
person. This context of making a concession is the difference between placate and its synonyms allay, mollify,
appease, and pacify.

Usage Examples:

1. In order to placate the angry customers, the restaurant compensated their meals and offered gift
certificates to encourage them to return. (pacify)

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 2. When he needed to placate his wife, Henry cleaned the house and had the kids diligently doing their
chores upon her arrival. (appease)

3. That company has terrible customer service, and there’s not much it can do to placate my anger at this
point. (appease)

4. She tried to placate the angry client by offering him a month of free cable service. (appease, pacify)

Paragon-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. Model of excellence 2. Best example of something (v.)-1. To compare or match
up

Synonyms: (n.) model, exemplar, example, monument, archetype, ideal, masterpiece, paradigm, perfection, (v.)
compare, match, equate

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Paragon is derived from the Italian word paragone, which was a touchstone for testing gold. The
idea is that of comparison. One often hears phrases such as "paragon of virtue," denoting a person who has no
equal in terms of a particular characteristic. Use paragon as a more sophisticated way of referring to an ideal
model or example of excellence.

Usage Examples:

1. The client loved the concept for the commercial and called it a paragon of great advertising. (example,
paradigm)

2. Ideally, a hero would be a paragon of courage and virtue. (exemplar, model)

3. The building is a paragon of architecture; it is a true masterpiece. (ideal, masterpiece, paradigm)

4. Many economists point to Hong Kong as a paragon of capitalism in Asia. (archetype, ideal)

Regress-(verb)-1. To return to an earlier, worse condition 2. To go back to a former state

Synonyms: degenerate, deteriorate, relapse, retrogress, revert, return

Antonyms: advance, progress, flourish, improve

Tips & Usage: Regress is generally negative, as when you regress back to bad habits. In psychology, the noun
regression is a commonly used term, denoting the reenactment of an earlier emotional state.

Usage Examples:

1. If expectations are lowered, the employees may regress back to their formerly unproductive ways.
(return, revert)

2. Without consistent accountability, the criminals may regress to their prior, unlawful acts. (revert,
relapse)

3. After several months of recovery, the economy regressed into another recession. (relapsed)

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 4. Whenever he is faced with conflict or criticism, he regresses into a state of immaturity and
defensiveness. (reverts)

Supersede-(verb)-1. Take the place of 2. To succeed somebody in a particular role

Synonyms: supplant, displace, replace, overrule

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: In business, a modern idea can supersede a dated one. Also, an employee can supersede a former
employee by taking over a position.

Usage Examples:

1. The new contract supersedes all previous agreements. (supplants, replaces)

2. After the extortion scandal, the CEO was superseded, and a new board was elected. (replaced)

3. Your manager’s requests supersede those of your associate’s requests. (overrule)

4. If you hear conflicting requests from the board and executive management, remember that the board’s
authority supersedes that of the management. (overrules)

Subside-(verb)-1. To diminish in intensity 2. To sink to a lower level

Synonyms: abate, diminish, decrease, lessen, slacken, recede

Antonyms: amplify, enhance, expand, intensify

Tips & Usage: When thinking of ways of applying the word subside, think of noise, emotion, or actions calming
down and diminishing. In business, interest in a product can subside if advertising has become ineffective. In
weather, a storm can subside (calm, lessen).

Usage Examples:

1. The administration hopes the clashes between riot police and protestors will eventually subside. (abate,
diminish)

2. If the rain subsides, we will have the company picnic as planned. (recede, abate)

3. The economy seemed to be on an upswing after the concerns over inflation subsided. (decreased,
diminished)

4. Thankfully, her headache subsided soon after she took the pain killer. (receded, diminished)

Trivial-(adjective)-Of little value or importance

Synonyms: commonplace, ordinary, insignificant, trifling, petty, unimportant, immaterial

Antonyms: extraordinary, noteworthy

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Tips & Usage: Something trivial is of little importance and is really not worth much attention or consideration.
A trivial detail is not a big deal and is not related to the core of a matter. The verb trivialize means "to make less
important, usually in a negative manner."

Usage Examples:

1. When the insurance adjuster began to embark on trivial details of the policy, the customer's eyes glazed
over with boredom.(unimportant, trifling)

2. I can't believe you two are arguing over something as trivial as which salt and pepper holders we should
set on the dinner table. (petty, insignificant)

3. I’m very busy at the moment and would rather not be bothered by such trivial matters. (unimportant)

4. In a poor attempt at humor, the anti-smoking ad trivialized the real, life-threatening damage caused by
smoking. (made less important)

Vilify-(verb)-1. To spread negative information about 2. To make malicious statements against

Synonyms: defame, denigrate, malign, denounce, slander

Antonyms: praise, honor

Tips & Usage: Vilify is derived from the Latin word vilis, meaning "cheap, vile." Once a reputation has been
vilified, it is very difficult to rectify it back to its original state. Notice the similarity to the word villain (an evil
person). Someone who is vilified is made out to look like a villain. Vilify is related and similar to slander, libel,
defame, smear, malign, besmirch, denigrate, and impugn. Note: there are many sophisticated ways to state that
someone has "talked behind your back."

Usage Examples:

1. He feels that he was unjustly vilified by the press and thus plans to file a lawsuit for slander. (denigrated,
slandered, maligned)

2. It is unfortunate that politicians spend more time vilifying their opponents than demonstrating their own
qualities. (maligning)

3. You can't solve your problems at work by vilifying your boss. (maligning)

4. The campaign was politics as usual, with each candidate trying to malign and vilify his opponent instead
of focusing on the issues. (denigrate)

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Section 10 Test

1. Both sides will need to make some ___________ in order for the deal to go through.
2. The managers should be kept ___________ of the situation so that there won’t be any unpleasant
surprises.
3. He was ___________ about his business idea and worked tirelessly to bring the idea to fruition.
4. He was a great person to have on the team because he accepted every task and challenge with
___________.
5. If you hear conflicting requests from the board and executive management, remember that the board’s
authority____________ that authority of the management.
6. I think that we should ___________ our marketing efforts with television and radio advertising.
7. The training equipment that today’s athletes have access to is of a higher ___________ than the
equipment in years past.
8. Her great success was a ___________ of many years of hard work.
9. She was always quite ___________ when expressing her opinions, and it was clear that her beliefs were
deeply ingrained.
10. The ___________ behind my decision to travel around the world was my desire to experience other
cultures.
11. Her raised eyebrows and wide-eyed expression ___________ surprise.
12. Our company gave its employees great benefits and stock options as ___________ to stay on for the
long term.
13. A commitment to quality requires stringent quality-control practices that are ____________ in every
aspect of a company’s operation.
14. Whenever he gets nervous, he becomes an ____________ nail-biter who can’t control his bad habit.
15. In order to cut costs, the company created a new ____________ that prohibited executives from flying
first class.
16. As a child ____________ , he understood calculus at the age of 4. Therefore, no one was surprised that
he became the most____________ mathematician of his time.
17. Please try to keep down the noise. It’s ___________ my headache.
18. My boss can be difficult at times, so I try to ____________ him as best as I can.
19. The judge granted the attorneys several days for ___________ and preparation of opening statements.
20. Many economists point to Hong Kong as a ____________ of capitalism in Asia.
21. The pain in my neck began to ____________ after I took some aspirin.
22. I’m too busy to be bogged down with ____________ issues that are not germane to this project.
23. She made a comment that offended the client so much that it ____________ the good rapport we had
with them.
24. The campaign was politics as usual, with each candidate trying to malign and ____________ his
opponent instead of focusing on the issues.
25. We were good about watching our finances for awhile, but then we ____________ back to our old habit
of frivolous spending.

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Section 10 Test Answers
1. concessions
2. abreast
3. fervent
4. alacrity
5. supersedes
6. augment
7. caliber
8. culmination
9. emphatic
10. impetus
11. connoted
12. incentive
13. ingrained
14. inveterate
15. mandate
16. prodigy, prodigious
17. exacerbating
18. placate
19. discovery
20. paragon
21. subside
22. trivial
23. negated
24. vilify
25. regressed

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Section 11 Lessons

Abstruse-(adjective)-Complex, obscure, and difficult to penetrate and understand

Synonyms: complex, difficult, abstract, obscure, esoteric, arcane, recondite, deep

Antonyms: clear, comprehensible, concrete, lucid

Tips & Usage: Abstruse is a word used in reference to lectures, papers, or ideas that are very difficult to
understand. Abstruse is a great word to use to describe anything that is overly complex or obscure and difficult
to understand.

Usage Examples:

1. I think he is a brilliant man, but his lectures are often abstruse and hard to follow. (overly complex,
abstract, obscure)

2. A truly great teacher can discuss abstruse subject matter in common and easy-to-understand language.
(complex, abstract)

3. The professor presented several abstruse concepts that were difficult for the students to grasp. (difficult,
esoteric)

4. I thought his recommendations for this campaign were abstruse and not well defined. (obscure, abstract)

Allay-(verb)-1. To lessen the intensity of something 2. To calm or lay to rest an emotion

Synonyms: mollify, alleviate, sooth, pacify, quiet, ease, calm, reduce, lessen

Antonyms: agitate, heighten, magnify, intensify

Tips & Usage: The word allay is often used in reference to fears or suspicions. One would attempt to allay the
concerns of an agitated client or the fears of a child.

Usage Examples:

1. The homeowners' fears were allayed when they heard the fires were extinguished. (eased, calmed)

2. The Director of Homeland Security is taking measures to allay the people's fear of a future terrorist act.
(ease, lessen)

3. I was nervous walking home alone, but seeing my neighbor quickly allayed my fears. (reduced,
alleviated)

4. Is there anything I can do to allay your concerns about this project? (calm, pacify)

Auspicious-(adjective)-1. Indicating a positive future 2. Marked by a good omen

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Synonyms: favorable, well-timed, promising, propitious, advantageous, opportune, lucky

Antonyms: ominous, untimely, unfavorable

Tips & Usage: When something auspicious happens, it is a sign of good things to come. Beginnings can be
spoken of as auspicious when they show promise for the future. Auspicious is a more intelligent and
sophisticated way of saying "favorable," "well-timed," or "promising."

Usage Examples:

1. A great first impression can be an auspicious beginning for a new job. (advantageous, promising)

2. When problems were tackled efficiently, and the legislature began wholeheartedly cooperating with him,
the new governor felt he had an auspicious beginning in his new position. (favorable, promising)

3. The client’s complimentary comments of my work made it an auspicious time to ask for a promotion.
(opportune, well-timed)

4. The bright, blue sky was an auspicious sign for our wedding day. (favorable, lucky, promising)

Candid-(adjective)-1. Honest, straightforward, and sincere, without reserve 2. Informal and natural
Synonyms: forthright, frank, guileless, sincere, unbiased, straightforward, earnest, informal, improvised,
spontaneous, fair

Antonyms: deceitful, devious, indirect, insincere

Tips & Usage: Candid is derived from the Latin term candidus, meaning "to shine or glow." Think, "open for
the light to shine through," or "not afraid to let light expose your true feelings." When someone offers a candid
opinion, that person is not hiding behind any kind of mask or facade−a candid person is open and honest. The
related noun candor means "frankness or honesty." Candid is related to forthright and ingenuous. If you are
candid, you speak openly without reservation. If you are forthright, you are direct and to the point, often in a
blunt way. Finally, if you are ingenuous, you are sincere in stating only your genuine feelings.

Usage Examples:

1. We need to have a candid conversation about the state of our company and discuss the good, the bad,
and the ugly. (frank, sincere)

2. She was very candid with the journalist during the interview and revealed many personal details of her
life. (forthright, earnest)

3. Her candor made for an interesting article. (frankness, honesty)

4. A few candid moments often make an over-rehearsed presentation more interesting. (improvised,
spontaneous)

Coherent-(adjective)-1. Capable of consistent thought or expression 2. Sticking together 3. Logically or

aesthetically consistent and holding together as a whole

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Synonyms: articulate, comprehensible, intelligible, logical, lucid, consistent

Antonyms: confusing, incoherent, incomprehensible, unintelligible

Tips & Usage: Coherent is derived from the Latin term hærere, meaning "to stick." Think of bringing your
thoughts together in a clear and concise way−this is the meaning of coherent. In business and daily life,
coherent refers to written or spoken communication expressed clearly, logically, and intelligibly. It can also
refer to a coherent argument, one that is consistent in its logic−think again of the Latin origin and how the
points of an argument can "come together" and "stick" in a convincing manner. For additional analysis of this
Latin origin, see cohesive. Coherent is synonymous with articulate.

Usage Examples:

1. The speechwriter prided himself on his ability to diplomatically relate facts in a coherent manner.
(articulate, logical)

2. His usually coherent thinking became jumbled when stage fright took over. (lucid, logical)

3. She gave a very compelling and coherent argument, which helped her win the case. (logical, consistent)

4. She was so disoriented after the accident, that her statements were totally incoherent. (inarticulate,
unintelligible)

Consortium-(noun)-An association or group of companies, set up for a common, and usually mutually
beneficial, purpose

Synonyms: syndicate, society, association, league

Antonyms: individual

Tips & Usage: The related verb consort essentially means "to join or associate with others," and is often used to
denote uniting with undesirables.

Usage Examples:

1. The consortium of environmentalists gathered to discuss new laws to protect the environment.
(association)

2. The consortium of investigative journalists were asking some tough questions at the press conference.
(syndicate)

3. Several companies formed a consortium in order to pool their resources. (association)

4. Whom you consort with will be a measure by which people may judge you. (associate, join)

Cursory-(adjective)-1. Performed hastily, with scant attention to detail 2. Not thorough

Synonyms: brief, haphazard, perfunctory, casual, passing, hasty

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Antonyms: complete, comprehensive, meticulous, thorough

Tips & Usage: Use cursory as a sophisticated way of describing a quick and hasty review of something. When
you say you did a cursory review of a document, it means you have looked through it, but there is a good
chance you won't be able to recall the details of the document. Cursory can also be used to describe a hasty and
haphazard review of something; think, lazy, brief and not thorough. You would not want to perform a cursory
review of something if it were considered important. For a memory trick, think of the cursor on your computer.
The cursor allows you to quickly move across the screen. This is how you would review something on your
computer if you reviewed it in a cursory manner.

Usage Examples:

1. In today's times, many doctors require only a cursory examination before they prescribe drugs. (brief,
perfunctory)

2. I could tell he wasn't that interested in our vacation because he did a cursory review of our photo album
without really inspecting the pictures. (casual, hasty, brief)

3. We’re going to need more than cursory research to provide the client with a detailed report.
(perfunctory, brief)

4. Based on my cursory review of the report, everything looks good. However, I will need to review it in
more detail before I make a final decision. (casual, passing)

Discretionary-(adjective)-1. Having or using the ability to use one's own judgment or decision 2. Given or
refused according to the specific circumstances, rather than automatically (as with funds) 3. Subject to judgment

Synonyms: arbitrary, elective, optional, voluntary, discretional

Antonyms: compulsory, mandatory

Tips & Usage: When there is a decision to be made, discretionary power is allotted certain committees,
legislative bodies, and the like. That is, they are given the power to make a decision on their own. Think,
“ability to use your own judgment.” The related noun discretion means "choice or option." In economics,
discretionary income is the income you can spend at your own discretion or choice after you have paid for life
essentials, such as food, clothing, and shelter.

Usage Examples:

1. The creative director had the discretionary power to hire a new graphic designer. (elective)

2. The PTA had discretionary spending power over profits from fund-raisers. (discretional, subject to
judgment)

3. She left the decision up to my discretion. (choice)

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 4. Money spent on nonessential items after you have purchased food, clothing, and shelter is considered
discretionary income. (optional, discretional)

Emulate-(verb)-1. Strive to match, especially by imitating 2. To successfully compete with someone or

something in order to reach equality with it

Synonyms: copy, imitate, follow suit, model, compete, identify with

Antonyms: originate

Tips & Usage: In business, a company may strive to emulate (model, copy) another's success. Business leaders
may have had mentors whom they emulated to achieve success. Remember that emulate is not simply a
synonym of imitate. When you imitate someone, you copy what he does. When you emulate someone, you
strive to reach or exceed her success. You can do this by copying some of her best practices, but it's always with
a focus on matching or exceeding her success.

Usage Examples:

1. The boy hoped to emulate his older brother by excelling in sports. (imitate, follow suit)

2. I recently bought a book on how to emulate successful business leaders. (copy, identify with)

3. I admire my manager and try to emulate her work ethic in order to please her. (imitate, model, exceed)

4. The CEO was working hard to emulate his predecessor's record company earnings. (surpass, match,
exceed)

Exasperate-(verb)-To cause irritation or annoyance

Synonyms: aggravate, rile, irk, incense, nettle, irritate, frustrate

Antonyms: appease, pacify, mollify, calm

Tips & Usage: The adjective form, exasperated, can be used to describe someone who is irritated, upset,
frustrated, or at wit's end. The noun exasperation refers to irritation or frustration. The word exacerbate is
usually used differently than the word exasperate, although they sound similar and are often confused. People
usually feel exasperated (frustrated, annoyed), and their problems can be exacerbated (made worse). Remember,
exasperated has per, so think of a person being annoyed or exasperated. Also think of the term ulcer, which has
the part cer,−being exacerbated by stress.

Usage Examples:

1. It is every teenager's job to exasperate his or her parents. (aggravate, nettle)

2. The dancer stomped off in exasperation at the choreographer's refusal to create the scene her way.
(frustration)

3. By day’s end, I felt completely exasperated by my boss’s many demands. (aggravated, riled)

4. The exasperated look on his face told me that he had a difficult day. (irked, frustrated)

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Flaccid-(adjective)-Lacking firmness or resilience
Synonyms: soft, weak, inelastic, slack, limp, flimsy, lax, droopy

Antonyms: firm, tough, strong

Tips & Usage: Flaccid is derived from the Latin word flaccidus, meaning "flabby." The word flaccid is a more
sophisticated way of commenting on a person's limp handshake, but can also be used to describe other things
that are weak or limp.

Usage Examples:

1. The flaccid asparagus was not well received at the luncheon. (limp, droopy)

2. The skier's muscles atrophied and became flaccid during the five weeks in which she had to wear a cast.
(weak, slack)

3. The man’s flaccid handshake did not make a good first impression. (weak, limp, lax)

4. In business, it is considered totally unacceptable to have a flaccid handshake. (weak, flimsy)

Grapple-(verb, noun)-(v.)-1. To struggle to deal with something or grasp a concept 2. To come to terms or deal
with something successfully 3. To struggle with somebody in a physical fight (n.)-1. the act of a physical fight

Synonyms: (v.) contend, struggle, battle, wrangle, cope, wrestle, (n.) fight

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Literally, grappling is a form of hand-to-hand combat. In business and personal life, to grapple
with something is to struggle, cope, or come to terms with it.

Usage Examples:

1. He grappled with his choices for several days before he finally came to a decision. (struggled)

2. She grappled with the decision of whether or not to take the job across the country. (struggled,
wrangled)

3. We’ve been grappling with outdated computers for too long, and it’s about time we got some new
equipment. (coping, battling)

4. Once the extreme fighters went down and were grappling on the mat, wrestling skill became paramount
to victory. (wrestling)

Implicit-(adjective)-1. Implied and understood, though not directly expressed 2. Certain and without doubt 3.
Present as a necessary part of something

Synonyms: tacit, connoted, assumed, insinuated, implied, contained, understood, absolute, unquestioning,
virtual, necessary

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Antonyms: explicit, stated, uncertain, doubtful

Tips & Usage: Implicit is often used in two different ways: to denote something implied and to denote
something that is absolute and certain. An implicit course of action would be understood, without needing to be
directly stated. If your trust is implicit, it is absolute and complete trust. The related adverb is implicitly and is
used when something is done without doubt or question: "I trust him implicitly."

Usage Examples:

1. My dog's implicit obedience is a result of good training. (absolute, unquestioning)

2. We had an implicit agreement not to broach the subject because we both knew it would start an
argument. (tacit, understood)

3. There was implicit anger in her voice as she told her boss she was quitting. (implied)

4. I trust him implicitly, so if he thinks we should move forward, I will heed his advice. (unquestioningly,
absolutely)

Inherent-(adjective)-1. Part of the essential character 2. In the nature of something 3. Unable to be considered
separately from the nature of something because of being innate or characteristic

Synonyms: intrinsic, inborn, fundamental, innate, implicit, ingrained, natural, underlying

Antonyms: extrinsic, extraneous, external, incidental, adventitious

Tips & Usage: Something inherent is "in the nature" of something or someone. (e.g. The inherent risk of
investing in stocks is just a natural part of investing.) Inherent is similar in meaning to innate and intrinsic. See
intrinsic for a detailed analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. She is a great human resources manager because she has an inherent ability to solve interpersonal
conflicts and allay employee concerns. (natural, innate)

2. The archeologists knew there would be inherent obstacles in searching for artifacts on Native American
land. (fundamental, intrinsic)

3. Board members carry an inherent risk that they may be sued if they don’t support their company’s best
interests. (intrinsic, underlying)

4. There are inherent difficulties in online customer care. (intrinsic, fundamental)

Jaded-(adjective)-1. Dulled through repetition or excess 2. No longer interested in something, often because of
having been overexposed to it 3. Exhausted from overwork or overexposure 4. Hardened, insensitive, or
dispassionate due to unpleasant experience

Synonyms: disenchanted, weary, surfeited, sated, blasé, tired, worn out, spent, impassive, bored, numbed,
pessimistic, callous, hardened

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Antonyms: refreshed, renewed, excited

Tips & Usage: Jade used to be the name for an old horse, especially one that is worn out through overwork.
This same connotation is seen in the adjective jaded. Jaded is an adjective used to describe emotions felt from
being overexposed to something. For example, it would be easy to see how people would get jaded on politics if
they lived and worked in the political arena their whole life. Jaded is also used to describe boredom or
weariness from something that has lost its original appeal. For example, "Flying is fun and exciting the first few
times, but you quickly become jaded from the exhaustion of travel."

Usage Examples:

1. Looking for something to renew his spirit and refresh his zest for life, the jaded executive decided to
embark on a sailing trip around the world. (worn out, disenchanted, bored)

2. When I was a young business professional I used to love to travel. Now, I'm somewhat jaded about
traveling and try to limit the amount of time I spend away from my family. (wearied, spent,
disenchanted)

3. The president’s speech on the future of the company was not very optimistic; it left the employees jaded
and depressed. (disenchanted, wearied)

4. He has been through so much hardship in his life that his views of the world are quite jaded.
(pessimistic, impassive, blasé)

Mantra-(noun)-Commonly repeated word or phrase

Synonyms: hymn, chant, saying, belief

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Originally, mantra was a mystical formula for meditation. Today, mantra is a verbal formula
associated with positive thinking. In business, a mantra usually represents a company's or person's saying or
belief.

Usage Examples:

1. Her personal mantra was "Never give up." (saying, belief)

2. Repeating a mantra during meditation may lead to enhanced relaxation. (chant, saying)

3. I have a lot of work to accomplish, so my mantra for today is "Focus, focus, focus." (saying, chant)

4. Our company’s mantra is: "The customer is always right." (saying, belief)

Nepotism-(noun)-Favoritism shown to relatives by those in power

Synonyms: favoritism, partiality

Antonyms: nonpartisanship

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Tips & Usage: Nepotism ultimately comes from the Latin stem nepot, which means “grandson, descendant,
sister’s son.” Hence the meaning of showing favoritism to relatives. For a memory trick, note how nepotism has
the same prefix as nephew. If an uncle were to give special treatment to his nephew and promote him over
someone more qualified, that would be considered nepotism.

Usage Examples:

1. The Italian Mafia practiced nepotism as a way of keeping the "business" inside the family. (favoritism to
family)

2. The company discourages nepotism and makes sure that people are hired and promoted based on merit,
not because they are relatives of the president. (family favoritism)

3. When the company CEO gave a sought-after position to his son, many employees felt it was due to
nepotism, rather than true merit. (favoritism)

4. In many countries, nepotism is still seen as a fair way to award high-ranking government positions.
(family favoritism)

Paramount-(adjective)-Foremost in importance or power

Synonyms: supreme, predominant, principal, primary, overriding, leading

Antonyms: unimportant, insignificant

Tips & Usage: In business or in general, a topic or issue of paramount concern would be a number one priority,
one that carries a sense of urgency.

Usage Examples:

1. National security is a paramount issue in the Presidential campaign. (predominant, leading)

2. Of paramount importance in the photojournalist's mind was shooting the scene from a unique
perspective. (supreme, primary)

3. Getting those contracts signed is paramount to this project. Without them, we can’t even begin.
(predominant, overriding [issue])

4. It is of paramount importance that I fly out tomorrow to meet with the client, or we may lose this
business. (primary, supreme)

Placid-(adjective)-1. Completely free of interruption and disturbance−calm 2. easily satisfied

Synonyms: serene, calm, peaceful, tranquil, imperturbable, even-tempered, composed, halcyon

Antonyms: frenzied, turbulent, rough, excited, disturbed

Tips & Usage: Placid can refer either to nature or to a person's disposition. A placid lake would be calm and
without wind or waves. Think of the Great Lake, Lake Placid−aptly named for being a placid (calm, flat) lake.

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Use placid to describe calm waters and calm people. Someone who is placid will remain calm and unexcited.
Placid is synonymous with serene and tranquil.

Usage Examples:

1. The placid sea and the approaching storm clouds appeared to be the calm before the storm. (calm)

2. Her placid manner often made people think she never got angry. (even-tempered)

3. The placid lake is great for swimming and canoeing. (calm, tranquil)

4. Luckily, I wasn’t in a hurry and remained placid and relaxed despite the repeated flight delays.
(composed, even-tempered)

Propensity-(noun)-A natural tendency or preference for something

Synonyms: tendency, penchant, proclivity, inclination, predisposition, bent, ability, capacity

Antonyms: inability, disinclination

Tips & Usage: A propensity is a natural inclination to behave a certain way or to like one thing over another.
Propensity often refers to a negative tendency, but not always. Propensity is synonymous with penchant and
proclivity.

Usage Examples:

1. The manager's propensity for critical comments was well known in the company. (penchant,
predisposition)

2. California has a propensity for liberal politics. (tendency, bent)

3. His propensity for laughter spreads good cheer throughout the office. (predisposition, inclination)

4. She has the propensity to discuss a single issue for hours, and I often have to cut her short. (ability,
tendency)

Reiterate-(verb)-To say, state, or perform again, sometimes with a wearying effect

Synonyms: repeat, restate, recapitulate, rephrase, rehash

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: When a speaker begins a sentence with, "To reiterate…," then repeats what he said previously, it
is to let the audience know that he is aware he is repeating himself and to stress importance of a topic.

Usage Examples:

1. You must reiterate the rules to the children or they will surely forget them. (repeat, restate)

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 2. "To reiterate," the principal stated sternly to the high school assembly, "tardiness will not be tolerated."
(repeat, restate)

3. Even though I knew they heard me the first time, I reiterated the importance of making our deadline.
(restated)

4. Let me reiterate the fact that our company’s success is dependent on winning this account. (repeat,
restate)

Sanguine-(adjective)-Having a cheerfully optimistic temperament or outlook−hopeful

Synonyms: upbeat, optimistic, positive, hopeful, expectant, enthusiastic, cheerful

Antonyms: hopeless, pessimistic

Tips & Usage: The archaic meaning of sanguine is a person of "ruddy complexion and temperament." Sanguine
can also refer to something of a blood-red color. Sanguine has come to denote the characteristics of a person
dominated by cheerful humor, one who is confidently positive. Think of someone with a "rosy" outlook in life.
If you are sanguine, life is as pleasant as red roses. For a memory trick, note how sanguine sounds like sang and
win combined. Now, imagine an American Idol candidate who just gave the best performance of her life. She is
sanguine (optimistic, enthusiastic) because she just sang and hopes she will win.

Usage Examples:

1. The resort trained its human resources staff to choose employees with sanguine personalities. (upbeat,
cheerful)

2. Stock traders remained sanguine despite reduced profit margins. (optimistic, expectant)

3. His sanguine outlook on life, even during difficult times, kept him young and carefree. (positive,
optimistic)

4. Her sanguine attitude won her many friends and admirers. (upbeat, enthusiastic, cheerful)

Substantive-(adjective)-1. Important, serious, or related to real facts 2. A large quantity 3. Being the essence
or essential element of something 4. Having practical importance or value 5. In grammar, relating to or used
like a noun

Synonyms: substantial, firm, tangible, concrete, permanent, material, essential, enduring

Antonyms: unsubstantial, unessential, fleeting

Tips & Usage: Substantive is derived from the Middle French term substantif, meaning "having or expressing
substance." Having major substance or quantity is the common meaning of substantive. If something has
substance, it is real, it's serious, it's legitimate−it's substantive. In business, substantive is used to discuss a
productive meeting or a meeting with substance that covered important issues: "It was a substantive
meeting−we finalized next year's marketing budget." In law, substantive refers to the essential principals of a
court's work.

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Usage Examples:

1. In order to test the effectiveness of a new drug, substantive research is needed to prove both the drug's
efficacy and its safety. (substantial, real, serious)

2. We had a substantive discussion on the benefits of the new company policy, and everyone left with a
better understanding of the issues. (concrete)

3. You can't put a price tag on the substantive value of a good education. (enduring)

4. The company’s substantive policy on sexual harassment is not taken lightly. (firm, concrete)

Tumultuous-(adjective)-1. Full of noise, confusion, and disorder 2. Characterized by change and uncertainty
Synonyms: clamorous, riotous, turbulent, uproarious, disorderly, troubled, disruptive, wild

Antonyms: restrained, calm, peaceful

Tips & Usage: Tumultuous describes disorder and unrest. Crowds, periods of time, and spans of people's lives
can be described as tumultuous if they include disorder and unrest. Think of tumultuous as a "tumbling of
order."

Usage Examples:

1. The opposing demonstrators became tumultuous when leaders began screaming at one another. (riotous,
disorderly)

2. The 60s were a time of tumultuous social upheaval. (turbulent)

3. His tumultuous candidacy, fraught with rumor and speculation, cost him the election for President.
(turbulent, troubled)

4. It is a miracle that we were able to make this company a success after its tumultuous beginning.
(troubled)

Vindicate-(verb)-To free from blame, suspicion, or doubt through indisputable proof

Synonyms: exonerate, absolve, acquit, prove, maintain, uphold

Antonyms: accuse, convict, incriminate

Tips & Usage: Vindicate is derived from the Latin term vindicatus, meaning "to lay claim to" or "to avenge."
Think, "laying claim to innocence." For a memory trick, note how vindicate sounds a little like win the case. If
you win your court case, you will be vindicated and proven right in a court of law. Vindicate is related to
exonerate and exculpate.

Usage Examples:

1. The scientist's research on stem cell therapy was vindicated years after his findings were published.
(upheld)

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2. Certain celebrities who commit crimes may be vindicated in court, but will not necessarily be innocent
in the public mind. (exonerated, acquitted)

3. The charges against me are false, and I will be vindicated in a court of law. (absolved, proven innocent)

4. The candidate was vindicated of any wrongdoing when his opponent publicly confessed that he had
started the rumors himself. (absolved)

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Section 11 Test

1. I try to avoid his presentations because they tend to be ___________ and hard to follow.

2. He was given _________________ authority to hire additional staff to complete the project.

3. As the director of investor relations, it is my job to ___________ any concerns stockholders may have
about our company.
4. I think I’ve remained happy with this job because I’ve always maintained a ___________ outlook on the
future of my position.
5. I know that I can trust my accountant ___________ because he has never steered me wrong.

6. Please don’t sugarcoat your advice; I only want ______________ remarks from the group.

7. I think John has the best approach to managing his team. Other managers should try to ___________ his
technique.
8. It was clear the attorney did not prepare for the case; his opening argument was illogical and totally
___________.
9. The company was purchased by a __________________ of international investors.

10. I think he is the right man for the job. He definitely has the ___________ to successfully manage this
project .
11. I was only able to spend a short amount of time on your report, but based on my ___________ review, it
looks really good.
12. Everything went wrong yesterday. Therefore, by the time I got home, I was completely ___________
with my job.
13. Many interpreted the increase in consumer confidence as an ___________ sign that we were heading out
of the recession.
14. I have a difficult time trusting someone who has a __________ handshake and doesn’t look others in the
eye.
15. He had a difficult time making the decision and thus___________ over which candidate to hire.

16. She is a great manager because she has an ________________ ability to connect with her employees.

17. He spent most of his career in Washington DC, and eventually he became _______________ by the
entire political process.
18. Losing our biggest customer, coupled with laying off 30% of our workforce, made this one of our
most________________ years.
19. His _________________ as a factory foreman is "quality first, and quality above all."

20. Hiring his inept cousin to run the marketing department was a clear act of _________________.

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21. It is of ___________ importance that we have the contracts signed by end of day today. Otherwise, I
think the deal will fall through.
22. What I like best about our vacation home is waking up and looking out at the ___________ lake. It’s so
calm and peaceful.
23. I know I’ve mentioned this already, but let me _____________ the importance of good customer service
in our business.
24. The meeting was very productive due to our ___________ discussion about all of the outstanding
projects.
25. After a long a tumultuous trial, Steven was finally ___________ when the real perpetrator stepped
forward and admitted his guilt.

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Section 11 Test Answers

1. abstruse
2. discretionary
3. allay
4. sanguine
5. implicitly
6. candid
7. emulate
8. incoherent
9. consortium
10. propensity
11. cursory
12. exasperated
13. auspicious
14. flaccid
15. grappled
16. inherent
17. jaded
18. tumultuous
19. mantra
20. nepotism
21. paramount
22. placid
23. reiterate
24. substantive
25. vindicated

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Section 12 Lessons

Accolade-(noun)-1. An expression signifying praise, distinction, or approval 2. Public praise of somebody's

achievements 3. A tangible symbol signifying praise or distinction

Synonyms: kudos, commendation, acclaim, honor, decoration, laurels, award, praise, tribute

Antonyms: blame, disparagement

Tips & Usage: Accolades can be tangible, as in awards, or just special acknowledgments to distinguish and
honor a person. Accolade is synonymous with the words kudos and commendation. Accolade is more often
used to describe a physical award, while kudos is used more to describe less tangible praise, honor, or
acknowledgement. Commendation is related to the verb commend, which means "to formally praise someone or
something." Commendation is a more formal award than accolade.

Usage Examples:

1. The guest speaker delivered special accolades to the doctor for his medical breakthroughs. (awards,
commendations)

2. The lead dancer received flowers as accolades for her performance. (awards, tributes)

3. The certificates hanging on my wall are accolades for my many accomplishments. (awards, laurels)

4. The writer received numerous accolades and praise for her latest work. (awards, commendations)

Allude-(verb)-To mention something in an indirect way

Synonyms: intimate, imply, suggest, signify, hint, insinuate

Antonyms: advertise, affirm, assert, declare

Tips & Usage: To "allude to something" is to hint at something in a manner that will let others draw their own
conclusion. An allusion is the related noun, meaning "an indirect reference." Note that allude is not synonymous
with refer. Refer means "to directly state something," while allude means "to imply or suggest." For a memory
trick, note that allude sounds like a lewd. Most people would not want to come out and say something lewd
(sexually offensive), so instead they would allude (imply or suggest) to "a lewd" statement or thought.

Usage Examples:

1. Miguel alluded to his wife's drinking problem by mentioning her red eyes and constant partying. (hinted,
intimated)

2. The rock group made several allusions to governmental injustices on their new CD. (references,
insinuations)

3. She alluded to taking some time off, but didn’t directly mention a vacation. (hinted, intimated)

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 4. Beth alluded that there was trouble at home, but she wasn't specific. (implied, hinted)

Arrears-(noun)-The state of being behind with debt or obligation

Synonyms: obligation, debit, deficit, liability, overdue (debt), behind (in payment)

Antonyms: credit, refund, compensation

Tips & Usage: Arrears is a description of the state of an account or money owed. Think, rear is behind and
arrears means “behind in payment.”

Usage Examples:

1. Tax payments in arrears are dealt with severely and without delay. (overdue)

2. I’m in arrears on my rent payment, and I’m afraid that my landlord will evict me if I don’t pay him this
week. (deficit, overdue debt)

3. Our accounts have been in arrears for months now; we’ve got to make good on our financial
commitments or the bank will shut us down. (deficit, obligation)

4. My credit card payments are in arrears, and the interest I owe is growing each day. (behind, overdue)

Capricious-(adjective)-1. Tending to make sudden changes 2. Determined by impulse or whim, rather than
reason or necessity

Synonyms: arbitrary, erratic, fanciful, whimsical, impulsive, changeable, fickle, variable

Antonyms: constant, predictable, dependable

Tips & Usage: The word capricious describes a fickle personality, characteristic, or action. The noun caprice
refers to impulse. If you are capricious, you tend to be impulsive and make decisions or act on a whim, without
much thought. You may hear weather referred to as capricious if it changes frequently. The same idea applies to
people who change their mind on a whim, are inconsistent, and are very hard to predict. Capricious can be
pronounced two different ways. Some prefer to use a drawn out "i," which sounds like "ee," versus a short "i."
However, most dictionaries first list the short "i" pronunciation. Listen to the audio for the two pronunciations.

Usage Examples:

1. The weather in Colorado can be capricious; they say you can experience all four seasons in a single
week! (variable, changeable)

2. Her caprice gave Lisa a reputation for being wild and crazy. (impulsive nature, fickleness)

3. When he was in a good mood, the capricious manager sometimes took his employees out to lunch. On
bad days, he often fired people for no reason. (impulsive, erratic)

4. The court's ruling seemed arbitrary, capricious, and irrational. (impulsive)

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Confound-(verb)-1. To confuse someone 2. To prove something to be incorrect 3. To damn or curse
something or someone 4. To confuse or mistake two or more things as being similar

Synonyms: perplex, confuse, baffle, bewilder, befuddle, mystify, disprove, refute, damn, curse, mix up

Antonyms: clarify, simplify

Tips & Usage: Confound is derived from the Latin term fundere, meaning "to pour." Think of pouring various
ingredients together to create a completely mixed up recipe. The general idea of confound is to confuse things
by mixing things up. One often hears, "to further confound the situation," meaning "to confuse and frustrate it."
A person is confounded when unable to explain or deal with a situation. The adjective confounded is also used
to describe something that is confusing or perplexing−confounding. You can also use the word confound to
forcefully curse something or someone: "Confound this incessant noise!" In this case, it's an expression of anger
or frustration with the thing or person that is being cursed.

Usage Examples:

1. He confounded his doctor's prognosis by living with lung cancer for 10 years, when he was originally
given less than six months to live. (disproved, refuted)

2. John's boss confounded him with perplexing questions that he wasn't prepared to answer. (perplexed,
bewildered)

3. I hadn’t seen my high school classmate in years, and I was momentarily confounded by how different
she looked now. (baffled, bewildered)

4. Nobody could follow his confounded directions, so we all got lost. (confusing, convoluted)

Consternation-(noun)-Amazement or terror, often leading to panic or confusion

Synonyms: agitation, dismay, trepidation, alarm, bewilderment, worry, concern, perturbation, stupefaction

Antonyms: composure, tranquility, calm

Tips & Usage: You have probably heard the phrases, "look of consternation" or "feelings of consternation." If
someone has the look of consternation, the person looks confused, shocked, concerned, and potentially scared.

Usage Examples:

1. The look of consternation on Anne's face as she spoke on the phone led her husband to worry. (alarm,
concern)

2. Initially, when the power went out in New York City, people were filled with consternation. However,
when they realized it was just a temporary blackout, they decided to turn it into a reason to party.
(concern, fear)

3. There was a general feeling of consternation in the office as pink slips were handed out. (agitation,
perturbation)

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 4. Her consternation was evident in the bewildered look on her face. (alarm, dismay, worry)

Dabble-(verb)-1. To take slight and non-serious interest in a subject or activity 2. To do something in an

intermittent manner 3. To be an amateur

Synonyms: dally, play, fiddle with

Antonyms: take seriously

Tips & Usage: People often dabble in hobbies or interests that don't take up a lot of their time.

Usage Examples:

1. She likes to dabble in painting, but certainly isn’t a serious artist. (make superficial efforts, dally)

2. When my boyfriend began to dabble in online poker, I worried that he may someday become a serious
gambler. (play, fiddle)

3. He dabbles in several hobbies, but never gets good at any one thing. (dallies, fiddles)

4. I know a chemist who dabbles in tap dancing. (dallies, plays)

Disparage-(verb)-1. To speak of in a slighting or disrespectful way 2. To undervalue 3. To discredit

Synonyms: belittle, denigrate, degrade, demoralize, deride, deprecate, defame, undervalue, discredit

Antonyms: approve, commend, compliment, laud

Tips & Usage: Disparage is derived from the Middle French term desparagier, meaning "to marry below one's
class." To disparage someone is to make the person feel inferior. Disparage is a more sophisticated way of
saying "belittle." Disparaging someone is not a socially appropriate method of criticism. The related adjective is
also disparaging.

Usage Examples:

1. A good manager would never disparage an employee in front of others. (belittle, demoralize)

2. Marine drill sergeants are known for their use of disparaging methods for recruits in boot camp.
(denigrating, demoralizing)

3. No matter how hard I work, my boss constantly disparages my efforts. (derides, belittles)

4. I know I’ve made some mistakes on this project, but please don’t disparage me. I feel bad enough as it
is. (belittle, deprecate)

Enamored-(adjective)-1. Inspired with love 2. Captivated

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Synonyms: captivated, enraptured, infatuated, charmed, fascinated, amorous

Antonyms: repelled, repulsed

Tips & Usage: To enamor someone to you is to cause her to be attracted to you. "To be captivated with," is the
essence of enamored, whether it be with a person or the idea of something.

Usage Examples:

1. The aspiring actress was not exactly enamored with waitressing. (captivated, fascinated)

2. The two people were enamored with each other, but neither had yet admitted feelings. (infatuated)

3. In the last few years, Americans have become so enamored of their cell phones that they can no longer
imagine life without one. (amorous)

4. He was so enamored by her beauty that he nearly forgot his own name. (enraptured, charmed)

Expedient-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Convenient as a means to an end, sometimes not morally acceptable 2.

Governed by self-interest (n.)-1. A means to an end, often not principled or ethical

Synonyms: (adj.) convenient, practical, advantageous, efficient, opportunistic, timesaving, profitable, (n.)
expediency, means, device

Antonyms: inexpedient

Tips & Usage: In all of its forms, expedient usually refers to a quick resolution or solution to a problem, but
sometimes not a morally acceptable one. Expedient can be used as either a compliment, when describing an
efficient or practical solution to a problem, or as a critique, when referring to an opportunistic or self-serving
plan. The adjective expedient refers to something helpful or useful. The noun expedient is an action that is
expedient−that is something done to create a quick resolution or solution. You will often hear of a political
expedient−a political act that was done to appease a group, but may be questionable.

Usage Examples:

1. Forcing employees to work overtime without overtime pay is an expedient solution to our cash flow
problem, but in the long-run, it may affect company morale. (advantageous, opportunistic, practical)

2. When working with contractors, it is expedient not to pay them until the job is completed to your
satisfaction. (advantageous, practical)

3. The steel tariff created by the President was a political expedient to help win support from union
workers in the steel industry. However, it ultimately caused higher steel prices. (means, devise)

4. Under the circumstances, it was expedient for me to apologize for my mistake and continue with my
work, even though I didn't do anything wrong. (advantageous)

Flagship-(noun)-1. The most important of a group of related things 2. The ship in which the commanding
officer is stationed

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Synonyms: chief, lead, main

Antonyms: secondary

Tips & Usage: In business, the flagship of a group of companies is the main "ship," metaphorically speaking. A
flagship product is the leading product in a line of products.

Usage Examples:

1. This new, top-of-the-line computer will be our flagship model. (main, lead, chief)

2. The cruise line's flagship vessel featured luxury amenities that far surpassed those of the other ships.
(chief, main)

3. The fashion designer held a party to celebrate the opening of his flagship store. (main, chief)

4. That car is considered to be Toyota’s flagship. (lead product)

Frenetic-(adjective)-1. Involving a lot of movement or activity−extremely active, excited, or uncontrolled 2.

Involving violent emotion

Synonyms: hectic, chaotic, frantic, frenzied, agitated, hurried

Antonyms: placid, calm

Tips & Usage: Use frenetic to describe situations with a lot of activity−a number of things going on at once with
a sense of being overwhelmed. Think of the related synonym frenzied.

Usage Examples:

1. I don't think I could handle the frenetic environment on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange.
(highly active, frenzied)

2. It was a busy day on Wall Street, where the frenetic trading of the morning set the pace for the day.
(frenzied, frantic)

3. Her frenetic mornings include getting all six kids out of bed, dressed, fed, and sent to school on time.
(frantic, chaotic)

4. Some people like the frenetic pace of an ad agency, others prefer more placid working environments.
(frenzied, hurried)

Gratuitous-(adjective)-1. Without cause or justification 2. Given or received without cost or obligation

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Synonyms: baseless, unwarranted, causeless, unnecessary, wonton, groundless, uncalled-for, unmerited,
complimentary

Antonyms: based, well-founded

Tips & Usage: Gratuitous is derived from the Latin term gratuitus, meaning "not paid for." Think of the word
gratuity, which means "a tip" or "something extra" for services rendered. Gratuitous is a great way of describing
something free or given freely. Gratuitous can have a more negative sense when used to describe something
unwarranted, like a "gratuitous insult." Gratuitous is also a great word to describe adding something extra that is
really unnecessary: "The gratuitous nudity in the movie did not contribute to the plot, but was added to attract
teenage boys to the film." In this sense, gratuitous is a more sophisticated way of saying unnecessary.

Usage Examples:

1. The parents were upset by the gratuitous violence on prime time television. (unnecessary, uncalled-for)

2. I received a gratuitous coffee pot with the understanding that I was obligated to purchase flavored coffee
later. (complimentary)

3. Calling him inept was gratuitous given that you had already reprimanded him for his mistakes.
(unnecessary, uncalled-for)

4. That movie certainly had a lot of gratuitous nudity. (unnecessary)

Impress-(verb)-1. To cause positive admiration or respect 2. To fix ideas or facts deeply in the mind
Synonyms: affect, move, instill, influence, imprint, strike, engrave, persuade, amaze, dazzle

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: When you cause someone to think good things about you, you impress them. Impress is also
used in business to describe influencing or persuading someone or instilling some kind of value or ideal.
Impress can also be used as a noun, meaning "imprint, stamp, or impression." However, this usage is not as
common as the verb, and any of those three synonyms would work better in this context.

Usage Examples:

1. My sales manager impressed upon me the importance of closing the deal. (instilled, imprinted)

2. The chief of police will try to impress the urgency of the situation upon the officers. (affect, instill)

3. Make sure you impress upon the team the importance of punctuality. (instill, influence)

4. It is better to try to impress someone by being yourself than by putting on airs. (move, dazzle)

Innate-(adjective)- 1. Having a quality that arises from within, versus something learned or acquired 2.
Originating from intellectual knowledge, rather than experience 3. Existing from birth

Synonyms: inborn, inherent, inherited, intrinsic, congenital, hereditary, instinctive

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Antonyms: acquired, learned

Tips & Usage: Innate talents are genetically determined. When we have an innate knowledge of something, we
haven't learned it by reading a book or experiencing it, but we know it instinctively. Innate talents are talents
that you are born with. Innate is similar in meaning to intrinsic and inherent. See a detailed analysis at intrinsic.

Usage Examples:

1. Mozart's innate musical talents were legendary, even when he was alive. (inborn, inherent)

2. She masked her innate intelligence to fit in with her teen peers. (intrinsic, inherent)

3. The whole family is in accounting and finance; they have an innate understanding of numbers.
(inherited, intrinsic)

4. Some people think leadership is an innate skill that you are born with, and others believe leadership
skills can be learned. (instinctive, inherent)

Jettison-(verb)-1. To get rid of something unwanted or burdensome 2. To reject something

Synonyms: abandon, cast off, discard, expel, unload, eliminate

Antonyms: keep, retain

Tips & Usage: Jettison is a sailing term that literally means "throw off the ship." Jettison is used figuratively to
describe discarding anything unnecessary. In business, you can state "intent to jettison plans" to somewhat
dramatically emphasize rejection of them. This is a way of saying "toss out" with emphasis.

Usage Examples:

1. As ratings dropped, the TV station jettisoned educational broadcasts. (abandoned, eliminated)

2. Seawater filled the ship so rapidly that the sailors began to frantically jettison unnecessary items.
(unload, cast off)

3. We had to jettison 10 slides from our presentation to meet the allotted 30 minute time limit. (discard,
eliminate)

4. We were forced to jettison some of our ideas when it became clear that our plans were too elaborate.
(abandon, eliminate)

Mire-(verb)-1. To be involved in an unpleasant situation which is hard to escape 2. To cause to get stuck in
wet, soggy ground

Synonyms: entangle, entrap, bog down, muck, morass

Antonyms: escape, get free

Tips & Usage: One of the definitions for mire is "to be weighed down in dirt." Think of falling in the mud and
being slowed down by your muddy clothes. One can literally be "mired in mud," or feel entangled and stuck in

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a difficult situation. If you are mired in the past, you are stuck in the past and you have figurative dirt on you as
a constant reminder of bad things that happened in the past. Mire can also be a noun, meaning a difficult
situation or thick mud. Mire is related to the word morass, which literally means "a swamp" and can be used to
describe something that traps or confines you. You can be mired (stuck) in the morass (swamp, bog,
confinement) of bureaucratic paper work. Mire is the root of the word quagmire.

Usage Examples:

1. Our creative director is so mired in the past that he hasn’t come up with any original ideas in months.
(bogged down)

2. The software company is so mired in technical difficulties that it is not embarking on new enterprises.
(entangled)

3. She was so mired in self-doubt that she never believed any compliments she received. (entangled,
bogged down)

4. It is good to have a friend with a Jeep if you find your car mired in mud. (bogged down)

Niche-(noun)-1. A job or position very well suited to the person occupying it 2. A market or area of trade
within the economy 3. A corner, a nook

Synonyms: calling, nook, corner, specialty, function, role

Antonyms: generality

Tips & Usage: Niche is often used to describe a position particularly well suited to the person who occupies it.
Secondly, playing off the definition "corner, nook," niche can also describe a tightly defined market or business.

Usage Examples:

1. Who would have thought that a niche market for miniature waterfalls could be found. (specialty)

2. He discovered his niche by volunteering at the local art museum. (calling)

3. She found her niche in the medical profession as a veterinarian because it combined her love of
medicine and animals. (role, specialty)

4. He was able to create a niche market by selling management software to small retail stores. (specialty)

Parody-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. A humorous and usually satirical imitation of a literary or musical work 2. A
ridiculously poor attempt to do something serious (v.)-1. To imitate someone or something in a humorous and
satirical way

Synonyms: (n.) mockery, spoof, caricature, mimicry, satire, lampoon, imitation, travesty, (v.) mimic, spoof,
lampoon, ridicule

Antonyms:

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Tips & Usage: A parody makes fun of something that may not be humorous in its original form. Movies and
public figures are often targets for parody. Parody can also be a verb, meaning "to imitate comically." A
traditional Saturday Night Live episode consists of several parodies (skits that imitate and poke fun) that parody
(mimic in a humorous way) politicians and celebrities. Parody is synonymous with lampoon. You can also use
parody to denote something done so poorly as to be laughable.

Usage Examples:

1. Saturday Night Live often has actors doing parodies of themselves. (spoofs, imitations)

2. The movie Space Balls was a parody on Star Wars. (spoof, lampoon)

3. The comedian’s parodies of celebrities are hilarious. (imitations)

4. Shakespeare's works are such classics that they are often parodied for humor. (spoofed, lampooned,
imitated)

Poignant-(adjective)-1. Sharply painful or saddening 2. Keenly distressing 3. Cutting in effect

Synonyms: affecting, distressing, heart-rending, moving, touching, intense, serious

Antonyms: humorous

Tips & Usage: Poignant is derived from the Middle French term poidre, meaning "to prick, sting." Something
that is poignant "pierces" the heart, senses, or emotions. You will see poignant used three different ways.
Something that is emotionally touching or painfully sad can be described as poignant, like a poignant scene in a
movie. Secondly, it can mean biting, acute, sharp, or piercing, like a poignant critique or a person's poignant
wit. Finally, it can be used to describe something that sharply affects the senses, like a poignant odor or
poignant beauty. However, when describing sharp or biting smells and tastes, use pungent. Pungent is also
derived from the same Latin and French root.

Usage Examples:

1. In a simple, yet poignant speech, the well-respected CEO announced his retirement and said goodbye to
his employees. (moving, touching)

2. It was a poignant moment when he broke down and started crying while trying to give a eulogy at his
father's funeral. (distressing, heart-rending)

3. The news of the company restructuring caused poignant anxiety for many employees. (intense, serious)

4. The professor always delivered moving and poignant lectures that were motivating to his students.
(affecting, intense)

Prosaic-(adjective)-Without interest, variety, or imagination−dull

Synonyms: boring, commonplace, ordinary, monotonous, insipid, mundane, simple, dull, vapid, banal

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Antonyms: exciting, fascinating, interesting, stimulating

Tips & Usage: Prosaic is a more formal and sophisticated way of describing something that is tiresome and
ordinary. Prosaic has the same origin as the word prose, which means "common and ordinary speech, not
poetry." Prosaic is related to the words banal, insipid, and vapid.

Usage Examples:

1. Data entry is a prosaic chore. (mundane, dull)

2. I’m surprised you enjoyed that book so much; I found it to be prosaic and unimaginative. (boring, banal,
vapid)

3. The board needs to focus less on lofty ideas and more on the prosaic operations and management-related
issues that drive this company. (commonplace, mundane)

4. My job is not as glamorous as it seems. I have many prosaic responsibilities like filling out expense
reports and other mundane paperwork. (ordinary, boring)

Relinquish-(verb)-Surrender possession or right

Synonyms: abdicate, forgo, waive, surrender, yield, abandon, resign, give up, release, dispense

Antonyms: keep, retain

Tips & Usage: Relinquish is a formal term for giving up possessions or rights, often in a forced situation. One
can also relinquish someone of duties or responsibilities.

Usage Examples:

1. Let’s relinquish the formalities and get down to business. (waive, dispense)

2. Don't relinquish your right to a trial by jury. (give up, surrender)

3. Since today is your birthday, I am relinquishing you of your household chores for the day. (releasing)

4. I am retiring, and as of the new fiscal year, I will be relinquishing all of my responsibilities to the new
CEO. (yielding, releasing, dispensing)

Savvy-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Sophisticated and intuitive 2. Having practical knowledge and ability (n.)-1.
keen understanding

Synonyms: (adj.) resourceful, astute, sharp, shrewd, informed, experienced, (n.) understanding, discernment

Antonyms: (adj.) stupid, uninformed, obtuse

Tips & Usage: Savvy can be used as both an adjective to describe somebody who is shrewd and discerning, or
as a noun to connote a keen understanding. It's a rather informal term and can also be used as a verb, meaning
"to understand something."

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Usage Examples:

1. It is not enough to create a wonderful product; an entrepreneur must have business savvy as well.
(understanding, intelligence)

2. The art center's new controller displayed her financial savvy by correcting the budget deficit within her
first year. (understanding, shrewdness)

3. She’s a very savvy negotiator, so I think we should let her handle this deal. (sharp, experienced)

4. The human resource manager has a lot of savvy when it comes to judging people. (discernment)

Succinct-(adjective)-Brief and to the point, without wasted words

Synonyms: compact, crisp, concise, brief, condensed, pithy

Antonyms: extended, lengthy, wordy

Tips & Usage: Succinct (concise and to the point) communication is essential in business because of time
constraints. Succinct is synonymous with pithy.

Usage Examples:

1. Journalists are taught not to use superfluous words, but to instead keep the news succinct. (concise,
brief)

2. Press releases should always be very succinct. (brief, concise)

3. We’re short on time, so please keep your comments as succinct as possible. (brief)

4. Please provide the group with a succinct overview of your research findings. (concise, condensed)

Turnkey-(adjective)-Complete and ready for use−fully equipped, ready for operation, or ready for occupancy
Synonyms: complete, operational, functional, equipped, ready

Antonyms: incomplete

Tips & Usage: Turnkey is used to describe things that are fully equipped and ready for operation. Think, "turn
the key," open the door, and everything you need is inside.

Usage Examples:

1. The young entrepreneurs provided small business owners with a turnkey technology package, complete
with computer, Internet access, and all software. (complete, fully equipped)

2. Since we were only going to be in the city for a month, we decided to rent a turnkey apartment that was
fully furnished with linens, dishes, and utensils. (ready for occupancy, fully equipped)

3. Newly built tract homes appeal to people who are looking for turnkey housing. (ready for occupancy)

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4. The company provided everything you needed to start a new franchise. It was a complete, turnkey
business. (functional, ready for operation)

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Section 12 Test

1. The writer received numerous ______________ and praise for his latest work.
2. The project manager is so ______________ in paperwork that she is falling behind on her deadline.
3. She couldn’t tell me exactly when they would make a decision, but she ______________ that it would
be soon.
4. I don’t consider myself a professional, but I like to ______________ in photography.
5. Steve is now running the family auto dealership because he has an ______________ understanding of
the car business.
6. You need to think this through. You can’t just make a ____________________ decision.
7. He was so ___________________ by the difficult task that he didn’t even know where to begin.
8. Luisa handed in her resignation after her boss ______________ her in front of her colleagues.
9. Jack purchased the expensive coat because he was so ______________ by the attractive saleswoman.
10. We will not do business with them as long as their payments for their current loans are in
______________.
11. Under the circumstances, it was ______________ for me to apologize for my mistake and continue with
my work.
12. We plan to invest the majority of our promotional budget in our ______________ product.
13. I would have enjoyed the movie much more if it wasn’t for all of the ______________ foul language.
14. Make sure you ______________ upon your team the importance of quality control.
15. We were forced to ______________ some of our ideas when it became clear that our plans were too
elaborate.
16. Most entrepreneurs make their money by focusing on servicing the unique needs of a ______________
market.
17. The company provided everything you needed to start a new franchise. It was a complete
______________ business.
18. You should have seen how crazy and ______________ things were around here when we first opened
for business.
19. Our client services director is known for his marketing ______________ and strategic planning acumen.
20. The ad was a funny ______________ based on old kung fu movies.
21. The CEO always delivered moving and ______________ speeches that were ultimately motivating to
his employees.
22. My job is not as glamorous as it seems. I have many ______________ responsibilities like filling out
expense reports and other mundane paperwork.
23. I am retiring, and as of the new fiscal year will be ______________ all of my responsibilities to the new
CEO.
24. The announcement that our company was to be acquired, created a feeling of ______________ among
the employees, who feared they may lose their jobs.
25. Great job on that report. It was thorough yet ______________.

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Section 12 Test Answers

1. accolades
2. mired
3. alluded
4. dabble
5. innate
6. capricious
7. confounded
8. disparaged
9. enamored
10. arrears
11. expedient
12. flagship
13. gratuitous
14. impress
15. jettison
16. niche
17. turnkey
18. frenetic
19. savvy
20. parody
21. poignant
22. prosaic
23. relinquishing
24. consternation
25. succinct

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Section 13 Lessons

Accordance-(noun)-1. Agreement as to the right course of action 2. Conformity with specified procedures or
actions 3. The act of granting rights 4. Concurrence of opinion

Synonyms: consensus, conformity, compliance, bestowal, harmony, agreement, accord

Antonyms: disagreement, disharmony

Tips & Usage: Accordance is often used in the phrase "in accordance with" to denote conformity to procedure
or a set of rules. The related word accord means "agreement or consensus."

Usage Examples:

1. We are in accordance with this proposal and would like to move forward with the project. (agreement)

2. We have completed this project in accordance with the guidelines defined in the initial plan.
(compliance, conformity)

3. I've made our travel arrangements in accordance with what we previously discussed. (harmony, accord)

4. Taking on this project would not be in accordance with our company policy. (agreement, accord)

Autonomous-(adjective)-1. Existing as an independent entity (especially in government) 2. Free from external

constraint 3. Able to make free and independent decisions

Synonyms: independent, self-governing, self-sufficient, free, self-contained

Antonyms: controlled, governed, ruled, affiliated

Tips & Usage: The related noun autonomy refers to sovereignty, independence, or self-rule. Although
autonomous and autonomy are political terms, they are often used in business to discuss autonomous
(independent) departments or an office that is able operate with autonomy−without heavy oversight from a
parent company.

Usage Examples:

1. Some people have expressed the opinion that California should secede from the United States and
become an autonomous government. (independent, self-governing)

2. I’m sorry, but you just don’t have the autonomy to make those kinds of decisions on your own. Next
time, check with me first. (freedom, independence)

3. Our group retains the right to make autonomous decisions without input from the board of directors.
(independent, self-contained)

4. The civil unrest has continued for years because the minority ethnic group wants autonomy.
(independence, freedom, self-rule)

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Capitalize-(verb)-1. To benefit from or take advantage of something 2. To finance something 3. To exchange
debt for stock 4. To write in capital letters

Synonyms: benefit, profit, exploit, finance, bankroll

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: To say you're capitalizing on something is a more sophisticated way of saying you're "taking
advantage of it." The related noun capitalization is primarily an investment term used to describe the estimated
value of a stock.

Usage Examples:

1. I’m capitalizing on my company’s great benefits package by investing in the 401k plan. (taking
advantage of, benefiting)

2. Most investors are weary of companies that have an excessively high market capitalization. (valuation)

3. I capitalized on my knowledge of the industry and started my own business. (profited from, took
advantage of)

4. The bank has offered to capitalize our venture with a substantial loan. (finance, bankroll)

Cohort-(noun)-1. A group of companions 2. A group of people who share a common factor 3. A supporter
Synonyms: group, band, companion, side-kick, friend, colleague, partner, associate

Antonyms: enemy

Tips & Usage: Cohort originates from a Latin stem meaning "enclosure." Think of a group of people in an
enclosure. A cohort will often refer to a group of students who are in the same major or classes, a group of
employees who work closely together, or a group of people who are evaluated in a market research study.
Cohort can also refer to an individual−a friend of another person.

Usage Examples:

1. Greg and I have started several businesses together, and he has always been a loyal cohort. (partner,
companion)

2. The candidate’s main support comes from a cohort of senior citizens who feel that he understands the
needs of people in their age group. (group)

3. The study followed a cohort of students over their college career and was able to prove that a better
vocabulary improves one's chance for success. (group, band)

4. The cohorts in the crime got away with the money before anyone realized what had happened. (partners,
associates, companions)

Construe-(verb)-1. To interpret or assign meaning to 2. To use a word in a particular way

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Synonyms: interpret, explain, infer, define, understand, comprehend

Antonyms: misconstrue, misinterpret

Tips & Usage: Construe comes from the Latin term constuere, which literally means "to pile together" or
"construct." When you construct an understanding from an explanation, you construe meaning. The related
word misconstrue means "to misunderstand" or "misjudge."

Usage Examples:

1. I’m not quite sure how to construe John’s strange behavior in the meeting today. (explain, interpret)

2. I apologize if I’ve misconstrued your statements, but it seemed like you were being purposely offensive.
(misinterpreted, misunderstood)

3. Your indecisive behavior could be construed as unwillingness to commit. (interpreted, inferred)

4. Her absence from the meeting could be construed negatively, or it could simply mean that she was too
busy to attend. (interpreted)

Daunt-(verb)-To frighten or intimidate

Synonyms: frighten, dismay, frustrate, discourage, subdue

Antonyms: hearten, arouse, encourage

Tips & Usage: The related adjective daunting refers to a task that is intimidating, while undaunted usually
describes a person who is not intimidated or discouraged by the daunting task.

Usage Examples:

1. She would not allow herself to be daunted by the difficult task at hand, and thus remained resolute to
finish her job. (discouraged)

2. Although the new project seemed daunting at first, it actually turned out to be quite easy. (frustrating,
frightening)

3. The comedian was undaunted by the lack of laughter and continued his stand-up routine with a smile on
his face. (not dismayed, not discouraged)

4. It was impossible to daunt her enthusiasm, even with harsh criticism. (discourage, subdue)

Disparate-(adjective)-1. Including dissimilar elements 2. Fundamentally different so as to be beyond

comparison

Synonyms: different, miscellaneous, sundry, diversified, distinct, separate

Antonyms: comparable, similar, analogous

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Tips & Usage: Disparate is derived from the Latin word disparare, meaning “to separate.” Disparate is often
used to describe ideas. Therefore, think, separate ideas that are completely different. Disparate is a more
sophisticated way of saying "completely different."

Usage Examples:

1. The project team’s disparate opinions made for a frustrating and inconclusive meeting. (different,
distinct)

2. Leslie enjoys such disparate hobbies as bowling and painting. (diversified, miscellaneous)

3. In America, there are so many disparate political beliefs. It seems odd that we only have two major
political parties. (different, differing)

4. The couple found value in traveling to disparate parts of the world and learning about different cultures.
(sundry, diverse)

Endear-(verb)-To cause to become attractive, liked, or lovable

Synonyms: charm, attract

Antonyms: repulse

Tips & Usage: Endear literally means "to make dear," to appear charming or loveable. You may try to endear
yourself to someone if you want to be liked or if you need the person to do you a favor. A person to whom you
have endeared yourself may say to you, "You're such a dear." The related adjective, endearing, refers to
something or someone that is charming or attractive. For example, an endearing quality makes people attracted
to you. Do not confuse endearing with its homonym enduring, which means "long lasting."

Usage Examples:

1. His gracious and gentlemanly behavior endeared him to her. (attracted)

2. Her child-like behavior was so endearing that I couldn’t help but smile. (charming)

3. The dog was a scruffy mutt with a limp, which somehow made him even more endearing. (attractive,
charming, likeable)

4. He tried to endear himself to her with flowers and chocolate, but this just made her think he was a sap.
(make himself liked)

Expedite-(verb)-1. To hasten the action or speed up the progress of something 2. To deal with something
quickly and efficiently

Synonyms: hasten, accelerate, assist, facilitate, advance

Antonyms: slow, stifle

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Tips & Usage: Expedite comes from the Latin word expedire, which means literally “to free the feet.” The Latin
root ped refers to feet. Therefore, think, when your feet are freed, you can move much faster. When you
expedite something, you may "free it" from certain steps in order to speed up the process.

Usage Examples:

1. Is there any way that we can expedite this process so we can meet our deadline? (accelerate, hasten)

2. I’m going to expedite this paperwork in order to move things along more quickly. (accelerate, advance)

3. Please expedite this shipment so the customer can receive it by tomorrow morning. (hasten, accelerate)

4. There was no way to expedite the long wait at the post office. (hasten, accelerate, speed up)

Flippant-(adjective)-1. Showing a lack of seriousness to the point that it is inappropriate and unseemly 2.
Showing too much levity during a grave situation

Synonyms: impudent, rude, sarcastic, inappropriate, glib, offhand, disrespectful, unconcerned

Antonyms: serious, polite, concerned, respectful

Tips & Usage: To be flippant is to have a rude or silly attitude or behavior when seriousness is expected. For
example, if you were having a meeting to discuss ways to save your failing company and someone kept making
sarcastic recommendations to be silly or humorous, that would be flippant. Flippant can also be used to describe
an offhand remark that is simply rude or disrespectful. You may hear flip used in place of flippant, which is
equally correct, but is a more informal term. (e.g. "Don't be so flip, we need you take this seriously.")

Usage Examples:

1. His flippant remarks during serious client meetings are a liability. Therefore, I would rather not have
him there. (sarcastic, inappropriate)

2. Your jokes are usually funny, but today you're just being flippant and disrespectful. (rude, glib,
inappropriate)

3. I hope he didn't think I was being flippant; I was just trying to lighten the mood. (impudent, glib,
inappropriate)

4. I don't appreciate your flippant attitude. I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you. (glib,
sarcastic, impudent, unconcerned)

Gravity-(noun)-1. The seriousness or significance of something 2. A manner that is serious and solemn 3. The
quality of being heavy 4. The gravitational force of Earth

Synonyms: importance, significance, seriousness, magnitude, weight

Antonyms: lightness, levity, insignificance

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Tips & Usage: Gravity refers to the seriousness of a situation. The related adjective grave generally refers to a
situation that is important or serious. Levity, an antonym of gravity, refers to lightness and a relaxed feeling or
attitude. Gravity comes from a Latin root that means “heavy” (think of the gravitational pull of earth that is
weighing us down), while levity comes from a Latin root that means “light or floating.” Think of gravity as
"heaviness," as in "seriousness." Think of levity as "lightness."

Usage Examples:

1. I hope you understand the gravity of this situation and will do everything in your power to solve the
matter. (significance, magnitude)

2. The grave manner in which she looked at me told me this was no time for jokes. (serious)

3. What can we do to reduce the gravity of this problem? (magnitude, seriousness)

4. Nobody realized how gravely ill he was until it was too late. (seriously, significantly)

Impugn-(verb)-1. To cast doubt on or call into question 2. To question the truthfulness or integrity of something
of someone

Synonyms: challenge, attack, malign, contradict, negate

Antonyms: advocate, authenticate, support, uphold

Tips & Usage: Impugn is derived from the Latin term impugnare, meaning “to fight against.” When people
question the veracity or truthfulness of another person's statement or call into question someone's integrity, they
impugn the statement or person who is questioned. Impugn is often used as a more sophisticated retort: "Don't
impugn (call into question) my integrity" or "Please do not impugn (question) the veracity of my story."

Usage Examples:

1. Please don’t impugn my ideas in front of other employees. If you don’t like them, tell me so in private.
(malign, challenge)

2. The attorney impugned the witness’s testimony in an effort to cause doubt among the jury members.
(challenged, attacked)

3. When her reputation was maliciously impugned by a journalist, the actress filed a lawsuit against him.
(attacked, maligned)

4. You can question my rationale, but please do not impugn my integrity. (challenge, question)

Innovative-(adjective)-1. Taking a new and original approach 2. Ahead of the times

Synonyms: creative, original, inventive, resourceful, ingenious, new

Antonyms: unoriginal, hackneyed

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Tips & Usage: The related noun innovation refers to the creation or introduction of something new, while the
verb innovate means to devise or create something new. Note: the Latin root word nova, meaning "new," within
these words.

Usage Examples:

1. He is an innovative artist who tries to use new and interesting materials to create his works. (creative,
inventive)

2. This is the first true innovation our industry has seen in years. (new idea)

3. That's an innovative solution, but I don't think it will work in this case. (creative, resourceful)

4. The company's innovative distribution methods have allowed it to become a market leader. (inventive,
new, ingenious)

Kudos-(noun)-Praise for an achievement

Synonyms: praise, recognition, credit, glory, award, appreciation, admiration, fame

Antonyms: criticism

Tips & Usage: Kudos is an expression of recognition, approval, and commendation. A person who receives
kudos receives appreciation. You may recall a candy bar called Kudos. The maker of the Kudos candy bar was
hoping teachers would reward their students' great work with a Kudos candy bar. The candy bar would serve as
a physical kudos−recognition or praise. The word kudos is used as a more sophisticated way of describing the
praise and credit that one earns from doing a job well done. Kudos is similar in meaning to accolade and
commendation. See detailed analysis at accolade. Now, kudos to you for reading this entire tip!

Usage Examples:

1. You should receive kudos for a job well done. (credit, praise)

2. He really deserves kudos for that great presentation. (praise)

3. Judy has received kudos and accolades for her work with several charity organizations. (recognition,
appreciation, admiration)

4. What she did was very admirable and deserves kudos. (praise, credit)

Maxim-(noun)-1. A widely accepted saying 2. A general truth

Synonyms: axiom, dictum, rule, adage, epithet, motto

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: A maxim is usually a brief statement which can serve as a principle or rule for behavior or
proper conduct.

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Usage Examples:

1. The old maxim "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy" is true in most cases. (adage, saying)

2. I try to live by the maxim "Patience is a virtue." (rule, motto)

3. He lived by the maxim "Nothing risked is nothing gained." (rule, motto)

4. Many companies employ maxims, or mottoes, to define their company philosophy. (mottoes, dictums)

Novelty-(noun)-1. A new and surprising originality 2. The quality of being new and different 2. A small,
inexpensive toy or trinket

Synonyms: originality, newness, innovation, freshness, fad, gimmick, curio

Antonyms: sameness, banality, familiarity, staleness

Tips & Usage: A novelty is usually something that hasn't been seen before, and is therefore, interesting. A novel
idea is an idea that's new or different−one that hasn't previously been considered.

Usage Examples:

1. The novelty of a trend usually wears off quickly, and then the trend setters go on to the next new thing.
(newness)

2. Our store sells mainly novelty items that appeal to tourists and young people. (curio, gimmicky)

3. That's certainly a novel idea; I applaud your inventiveness. (new, interesting, original)

4. Most novelties seem interesting for only a short period of time. Then something new comes along. (fads,
trends, new gimmicks)

Penchant-(noun)-A strong liking for or tendency toward something, especially something that others may not
look favorably on

Synonyms: inclination, affinity, tendency, predisposition

Antonyms: disinclination, dislike

Tips & Usage: Penchant is often used to refer to habits. It comes from the French word pencher, meaning “to
incline.” Think of being inclined toward something. Although penchant often refers to a habit others find
annoying, penchant can simply refer to a general habit or inclination to do something, like a penchant for eating
chocolate or drinking champagne. Penchant is related to the words propensity and proclivity. Propensity is often
used to describe a positive inclination or ability to do something positive, while proclivity is usually used to
describe a negative inclination, tendency, or habit.

Usage Examples:

1. His penchant for taking clients to expensive dinners is costing our company too much money. (affinity,
inclination)

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 2. He has a penchant for showing up late to meetings, but I don’t think he realizes how inconsiderate that
is. (tendency)

3. She has a penchant for drinking too much wine and acting silly at parties. (tendency, predisposition)

4. Stefan's penchant for speeding will eventually earn him an expensive ticket. (affinity, tendency)

Proactive-(adjective)-Characterized by taking initiative to control a situation by acting, rather than reacting to

an event or occurrence

Synonyms: active, anticipatory, assertive

Antonyms: reactive, retroactive, passive

Tips & Usage: If you break down the word proactive, it's easy to understand the word's meaning. Pro is a Latin
prefix that means "forward." When you couple pro with active, proactive means you are being "active about the
future." The related word retroactive refers to something that happens as a reaction to an earlier event.

Usage Examples:

1. Our company has taken several proactive measures to make sure that we stay ahead of the competition
in sales. (active, anticipatory)

2. He wrote a defensive letter as a proactive measure in anticipation of the accusations that would be
brought against him. (anticipatory, assertive)

3. Jeannie has been very proactive in her career and always seems to be a step ahead of the game. (active,
assertive)

4. If you want to get ahead in life, you need to be proactive−you can't just sit on the sidelines and hope that
things work out. (active, assertive)

Prospect-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. The possibility of future success 2. Something that is expected to happen in the
future 3. Someone who is likely to be interested in purchasing a product or service 4. Someone or something
that is likely to succeed 5. The act of exploration, examination or observation (v.)-1. To search for something
desirable

Synonyms: (n.) expectation, possibility, outlook, perspective, candidate, opportunity, chance, potential, (v.)
explore, search

Antonyms: hopelessness, obscurity

Tips & Usage: The word prospect is often heard in business, in relation to a prospective (potential, likely)
client: "He is a prospect." The plural noun prospects refers to the likelihood of being successful or prosperous in
the future, especially in a job or career: "My career prospects look good." As a verb, prospect is used when
trying to find new opportunities or clients.

Usage Examples:

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 1. His prospects for getting the job are excellent because he really is the best candidate. (expectations,
chances)

2. Our agency is currently prospecting for new clients. (exploring, searching)

3. Is there any prospect that you may take a ski trip this year? (possibility, chance)

4. I have several prospects who I'll be interviewing for the position this week. (candidates)

Precipitous-(adjective)-1. Very steep 2. Done in haste and without much thought

Synonyms: abrupt, sharp, steep, hasty

Antonyms: slow, gradual

Tips & Usage: You have probably heard the phrase "a precipitous drop," in reference to sales, the economy,
income, etc. This essentially means that the drop is steep, swift, and great. The related verb precipitate means
"to hasten or accelerate," or "to fall down or plunge," and usually refers to making something happen quickly,
suddenly, or sooner than expected. For example, "A precipitous (steep) drop in the company's stock will most
likely precipitate (accelerate) the company's downfall." Precipitous can also be used to describe something done
in haste.

Usage Examples:

1. Cutbacks in several industries, coupled with the precipitous drop in consumer confidence, did not bode
well for the economy. (sharp, abrupt)

2. The company precipitated into bankruptcy shortly after the accounting discrepancies were discovered.
(plunged, fell)

3. We shouldn't be precipitous with our decision; we should think it through carefully before giving them
our final answer. (hasty, too quick)

4. The precipitous drop in our company's sales has forced us to lay off several employees. (steep, sharp)

Remit-(verb)-1. To send or dispatch a payment 2. To cancel or hold back from enforcing something 3. To
reduce the intensity of something (for instance, pain) 4. To restore something 5. To refer a case to another court
(in law) 6. To restore something to its original condition

Synonyms: pay, repay, reimburse, send, dispatch, reduce, restore, postpone, defer, refer, revoke, nullify,
invalidate

Antonyms: intensify, increase, persist, continue

Tips & Usage: Remit comes from the Latin term remittere, meaning "to send back." When you borrow money,
for instance, and then send it back or return it, you remit it. The word remit can also be used as a noun, meaning
"something that is remitted." A remittance is a sum of money that you send to someone.

Usage Examples:

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 1. In order to avoid any interest charges, please remit your payment by the end of the week. (send,
dispatch, pay)

2. She remitted the fines because the payment came earlier than expected. (reduced)

3. The appellate court judge remitted his sentence to a lesser one. (reduced)

4. He worked as a builder in the U.S. and remitted half his monthly wage to his family in Thailand. (sent
back)

Scalability-(noun)-The quality of being variable or expandable

Synonyms: expandability, variability, versatility

Antonyms: constraint

Tips & Usage: In business, scalability generally refers to the ability to grow a business, idea, or some type of
infrastructure. The related word scalable is an adjective meaning "expandable."

Usage Examples:

1. Our current network infrastructure doesn’t allow for the type of scalability we’re going to need in the
future. (expandability)

2. Our new project plan will allow for some scalability in case the clients make additional requests.
(variability)

3. How scalable is this program? If we wanted to begin offering it around the world by next month, could
we? (variable, expandable)

4. I bought a computer with the potential for scalability so I could expand the memory and hard drive in
the future. (expandability)

Superfluous-(adjective)-1. More than is needed or desired 2. Having no useful purpose

Synonyms: inessential, extravagant, excessive, unnecessary

Antonyms: deficient, essential, vital, necessary

Tips & Usage: Superfluous is derived from the Latin term superfluere, meaning "to overflow.” Think of fluid
overflowing a bowl or having too much of something−this is the idea of superfluous. Something superfluous is
excessive and unnecessary. Use superfluous as a sophisticated way of commenting on excess or anything that is
really not needed and wasteful (see usage examples).

Usage Examples:

1. We need to edit this story to make it more brief, so please delete any superfluous words. (unnecessary,
inessential)

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 2. Please edit this memo by removing the superfluous details. (excessive, unnecessary)

3. We'll need to cut all superfluous projects in order to stay within our budget. (inessential, unnecessary)

4. I'm eliminating all superfluous clutter from my home and donating most of my belongings to charity.
(excessive, inessential)

Tutelage-(noun)-Instruction, guidance, and supervision provided by a tutor or guardian

Synonyms: instruction, guidance, guardianship, protection, custody

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The root of tutelage is also the source for the English word tutor. It was formed from the Latin
term tutela, meaning “guardianship.” A tutor (instructor, teacher) provides tutelage (instruction, guidance,
guarding).

Usage Examples:

1. I’m very happy to have a new intern, and I hope he will learn a great deal under my tutelage.
(instruction, guidance)

2. His tutelage helped me thrive in my new position, and I was very thankful for his guidance. (instruction,
guidance)

3. Once they graduate, the students will have to progress in their careers without the tutelage of their
professors. (guidance, instruction)

4. Under the tutelage of my art instructor, I painted a beautiful picture that I could be proud of. (instruction,
guidance)

Wane-(verb)-1. To gradually decrease or diminish 2. To come to an end

Synonyms: decline, decrease, fade, diminish, subside, abate

Antonyms: grow, increase, intensify

Tips & Usage: When something wanes, it gradually weakens or loses its power or intensity. Wane can also be
used as a noun in the phrase "…on the wane," which essentially means that something is becoming weaker. The
noun waning can also be used to denote fading or diminishing.

Usage Examples:

1. Initially, the team was excited about the new project, but when the client became difficult to work with,
our enthusiasm waned. (decreased, subsided)

2. The waning of her energy was obvious in the way her movements gradually slowed down. (decline)

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3. As the restaurant gained popularity, the quality of the food seemed to wane. (decline, diminish)

4. My cravings for sugary foods gradually waned as I began to eat less of them. (subsided, decreased)

205
Section 13 Test

1. She can be quite verbose and has a _____________ for talking over others during meetings.

2. Maybe I _____________ what he said, but it was my understanding that he wanted us to proceed with
the project.
3. I can see that you are no longer amused, judging by the ___________ of your smile.

4. I realize the client isn’t very happy with our campaign ideas, but surely the situation isn’t as
_____________ as you make it out to be.
5. I’m arranging a meeting with a few of my ____________ to get their opinions on how we can improve
our department.
6. We have to stay in _____________ with the client’s wishes if we wish to receive further business from
him.
7. He was very courageous and remained ____________, even when facing extreme danger.

8. Daniel felt the creative department should become more ________________ from the rest of the agency
to allow for more creative freedom.
9. Many retailers face a ________________ drop in sales after the holiday season.

10. I hope you don’t mind, but I’d like to ___________ my offer until a later date.

11. We need to have maximum ____________ in order to ramp up production to meet any increase in
demand.
12. She was known for offending clients and coworkers with her ____________ comments.

13. When searching for a new job, it is important to be ____________, rather than waiting for an
opportunity to find you.
14. He has saved our company time and money through his ____________ ideas.

15. Our company president likes to use ancient proverbs and ____________ to make his points.

16. Please try to ___________ yourself to the client by being as kind as possible.

17. The new employees are currently in training, under the ____________ of the general manager.

18. Sometimes it’s good for a creative team to have ____________ ideas, since it allows for the exploration
of different creative concepts.
19. The department manager didn’t believe my coworker’s story and asked several questions meant to
___________ her statements.
20. Is there any way you could ___________ the payment process? I really need to get paid quickly.

21. The new ad campaign caught consumer attention because of its ___________ and innovation.

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22. Kate knew her company would be incurring some cutbacks, but the ____________ that she may get laid
off never occurred to her.
23. Please write a direct and succinct proposal without any fluff or _____________ language.

24. He felt he deserved more than just ___________ for all the new business he won for the agency.

25. We should ____________ on the current low interest rates and invest in real estate.

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Section 13 Test Answers
1. gregarious
2. accosted
3. inadvertently
4. expenditure
5. disparity
6. nuance
7. unwitting
8. innuendoes
9. seamless
10. render
11. collateral
12. wary
13. pragmatic
14. meager
15. proliferation
16. endeavors
17. capitulate
18. protocol
19. lamented
20. ambivalence
21. consummate
22. paucity
23. foment
24. deduce
25. avid

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Section 14 Lessons

Accost-(verb-To approach and speak to somebody, often in a challenging or aggressive way

Synonyms: confront, affront, approach, proposition, solicit

Antonyms: avoid, elude, evade

Tips & Usage: Accost is derived from the Latin word accostare, meaning “to adjoin.” The underlying sense is
“to be alongside.” If you come up "alongside" someone in a rather aggressive or threatening way, you are
accosting him. Accost usually refers to approaching and talking to someone abruptly and in a surprising way.
Accost can refer simply to approaching someone to talk, but it usually refers to approaching someone and
verbally attacking or threatening the person: "He accosted me in the lobby and called me a liar." Accost can also
refer to approaching someone regarding sexual favors: "I was accosted by the prostitute as I walked down the
street."

Usage Examples:

1. John had been trying to avoid Terry all week, but she finally accosted him in the hallway. (approached,
confronted)

2. I was rather surprised when she accosted me about helping her with the fundraiser; she could have asked
me politely. (confronted, solicited)

3. I'm terrified of being accosted by a stranger, so I try not to walk alone at night. (affronted, confronted)

4. The door-to-door salesman accosted me just as I was on my way out. (solicited, propositioned,
approached)

Ambivalence-(noun)-1. Mixed feelings or emotions 2. Uncertainty as to which course of action to take

Synonyms: uncertainty, indecisiveness

Antonyms: certainty

Tips & Usage: Ambivalence occurs when you have mixed feelings about something. The related adjective
ambivalent is used to characterize someone who has mixed feelings or uncertainty about something. Use
ambivalent to denote conflicting feelings. If you want to go to two different restaurants, you are ambivalent, as
you have conflicting desires. Ambivalence and ambivalent denote inner conflict and uncertainty. Note: do not
confuse ambivalent with ambiguous. Ambiguous means "unclear" and "not defined."

Usage Examples:

1. She had no ambivalence about accepting the promotion and looked forward to her challenging new
responsibilities. (uncertainty, mixed feelings)

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 2. Mike was ambivalent about going on vacation and leaving the project in someone else’s hands.
(uncertain)

3. Tara's career was full of ambivalence because she jumped from one job to another without any focus.
(uncertainty)

4. Her ambivalence about buying the house kept her up with worries all night. (uncertainty, indecisiveness,
mixed feelings)

Avid-(adjective)-Having active interest and enthusiasm for something

Synonyms: eager, keen, enthusiastic, ardent

Antonyms: aloof, indifferent, disinterested, loath, disinclined

Tips & Usage: One can be avid (eager) for something or avid (enthusiastic) about something. If you do
something avidly, you do it with enthusiasm and ardor.

Usage Examples:

1. Kimberly is avid about online shopping because she feels that it saves her time and money.
(enthusiastic)

2. George is an avid rock climber, and he tries to make it to Yosemite National Park at least once a year.
(ardent, enthusiastic)

3. She avidly perused the real estate listings in search of a new home. (eagerly, keenly)

4. I was happy to see my son take such an avid interest in his studies. (keen, enthusiastic)

Capitulate-(verb)-1. To surrender on certain terms 2. To give in unwillingly

Synonyms: surrender, consent, yield, acquiesce, succumb

Antonyms: stand firm

Tips & Usage: Capitulate comes from the French word capituler, which means “to come to terms.” When you
capitulate, you give in to certain terms and conditions, usually unwillingly. The noun form is capitulation,
which means "a giving in." Capitulate is really a more sophisticated way of denoting surrender to someone
else's wishes. When you capitulate, you give up on your own plans or ideas and reluctantly decide to go along
with someone else's idea despite not agreeing with it. Capitulate is similar to acquiesce, succumb, and accede.
See analysis at acquiesce.

Usage Examples:

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 1. I would rather resign from this account than capitulate to the client’s unreasonable demands. (yield,
succumb)

2. We need to put together an agreement that will end this dispute and allow the other side to capitulate
without residual animosity. (consent, yield)

3. Management finally capitulated to the staff's demands for higher pay. (surrendered, succumbed)

4. It was clear that there would be no capitulation from either side. (giving in, surrendering)

Collateral-(noun, adjective)-(n.)-1. A security pledged for the repayment of a loan 2. Accompaniment to

something else, as in collateral damage (adj.)-1. Serving as an addition to support or corroborate 2. Running
side by side, as in collateral ridges of mountains 3. Descendent from the same ancestor

Synonyms: (n.) security, guarantee, insurance, confirmation, substantiation, validation, (adj.) parallel,
additional, accompanying, connected, dependent, indirect, side-by-side

Antonyms: (adj.) unrelated, independent

Tips & Usage: In business, the term collateral is often used when referring to marketing or publicity materials,
as in "marketing collateral piece." This refers to additional marketing support items. In war, collateral damage
refers to destruction of nonmilitary targets−damage that was not intended, but occurred due to proximity to the
intended target. In banking, collateral refers to an asset that you list on your loan as security against a default on
the loan.

Usage Examples:

1. This brochure is one of the best collateral pieces we’ve ever designed, and I’m sure it will generate
many sales for the client. (accompanying, additional)

2. Lisa put her car up as collateral when she applied for a small business loan. (security, guarantee)

3. The US Military carefully planned each attack so as to avoid any collateral damage. (additional,
accompanying, indirect)

4. Our collateral marketing and sales efforts have proven successful. (parallel, side-by-side, connected)

Consummate-(adjective, verb)-(adj.)-1. Perfect and complete in every aspect 2. Having all necessary qualities
(v.)-1. To complete, fulfill, or conclude

Synonyms: (adj.) ideal, supreme, ultimate, gifted, talented, superior, absolute, (v.) complete, fulfill, conclude,
culminate, affirm, validate

Antonyms: (adj.) defective, deficient, inadequate, incomplete

Tips & Usage: The verb consummate is spelled the same as the adjective consummate, but it is pronounced
differently (short “a” on the adjective, long on the verb). Use the adjective consummate to describe someone
who is perfect or ideal at something. For example, "He is the consummate salesman−he always knows the right
thing to say to win the sale." Consummate can also be used to describe something negative. For example, "He is

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a consummate (perfect, skilled, complete) liar." The verb consummate means "to complete or fulfill." In
business, you can consummate a deal over dinner. In relationships, consummate means "to have sex and
complete the relationship."

Usage Examples:

1. Annie was a consummate office assistant: professional, punctual, and always helpful. (ideal, ultimate)

2. Let’s consummate the new business by taking the client out to lunch after the contracts have been
signed. (complete, affirm)

3. The soccer team's win was consummated with a victory dinner. (culminated, completed, fulfilled)

4. He was a consummate professional who never allowed personal feelings to get in the way of business.
(ultimate, absolute)

Deduce-(verb)-To come to a logical conclusion using reasoning on the basis of information, or to reach an
answer or a decision by carefully considering the known facts

Synonyms: infer, conclude, reason, assume, derive

Antonyms: guess

Tips & Usage: The word deduce originates from the Latin word ducere, meaning "to lead." Think of "leading" a
conclusion from the mind (or reaching a conclusion) based on given evidence. The related noun deduction
refers to a conclusion or inference. You deduce (use logic and reasoning to determine an answer) a deduction (a
conclusion that you deduced using logic and reasoning).

Usage Examples:

1. Can I deduce from your complaints that you are unhappy at this job? (infer, conclude)

2. Using logical reasoning, Jack made a deduction as to who was the most likely person to be stealing
money from the petty cash box. (inference, conclusion)

3. I couldn't deduce what happened from his story because what he said was so illogical. (conclude, derive)

4. I can't deduce from your business plan whether or not your company will be successful. (infer,
conclude)

Disparity-(noun)-Difference or inequality in form, character, or degree

Synonyms: inequality, unlikeness, difference, incongruity, disproportion

Antonyms: equality, likeness, similarity

Tips & Usage: Disparity is usually used to describe an unfair or unjust lack of equality. For example: "the
disparity between the rich and the poor." In more technical terms, disparity can refer to any difference,

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inconsistency, or gap that seems to indicate a problem. For example, "There seems to be a disparity between my
checkbook records and my bank account." Disparity can also refer to incongruity. For example, if you say you
are happy, but your face indicates you are upset, there is disparity between what you say and how you look.
They don't match. (See disparate.)

Usage Examples:

1. Research seems to indicate that social violence is directly related to economic disparity. (differences,
inequalities)

2. There was a huge disparity between my bank account statement and my checkbook balance. (inequality,
disproportion, gap)

3. The disparity between my salary and the cost of living in Manhattan is laughable. (disproportion,
incongruity, gap)

4. Jackie insisted that she was happy, but there was a disparity between her words and the expression on
her face. (difference, incongruity)

Endeavor-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. A conscientious activity intended to accomplish something 2. An effort made in

an attempt to achieve something (v.)-1. To make an effort to achieve something

Synonyms: (n.) attempt, effort, enterprise, venture, (v.) try, strive, undertake

Antonyms: give up, quit, cease

Tips & Usage: Use endeavor as a more sophisticated way of describing an activity you are proud of:
"Remodeling our house has been my latest endeavor." Or, use endeavor to describe a valiant attempt to
accomplish something: "Despite our best endeavors, we have not been able to locate the girl's mother." Finally,
as a verb, use endeavor to describe a valiant effort to accomplish or achieve a goal: "We are endeavoring to find
a solution to the problem."

Usage Examples:

1. I have no doubt that our new business endeavor will be a successful one. (venture, enterprise)

2. She endeavored to find a high-paying job right out of college, but the search was more difficult than she
had anticipated. (tried, strove)

3. Her artistic endeavors landed her in many renowned art galleries. (efforts, undertakings)

4. Our company endeavors to provide consistently excellent customer service. (strives, tries)

Expenditure-(noun)-1. The act of spending money 2. Money spent 3. The consumption of something
Synonyms: expense, cost, investment, consumption, use

Antonyms:

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Tips & Usage: Expenditure is often used in business to describe incurred expenses and costs of running the
business. The related verb expend means "to use or spend." If something or someone is expendable, she is not
necessary or essential to the situation. A person who is expendable can be easily replaced.

Usage Examples:

1. It’s true that we should avoid any unnecessary expenses, but we will incur some unavoidable
expenditures in order to get this business off the ground. (expenses, costs)

2. Our monthly expenditures are exceeding our budget. Therefore, we’ll have to make some cutbacks.
(expenses, costs)

3. He was a horrible manager who treated people as if they were expendable. (easily replaced)

4. I had to expend every last bit of energy in order to finish the marathon. (use, consume)

Foment-(verb)-1. To cause trouble or stir up rebellion 2. To promote growth or development 3. To lessen pain
by bathing in warm water

Synonyms: stir up, promote, evoke, incite, instigate, abet

Antonyms: repress, suppress, quell

Tips & Usage: Foment is often used in business when speaking about promoting growth or development. In
politics, foment is often used negatively as a more sophisticated way of saying "incite," or "cause trouble." Both
definitions and uses stem from stimulating or inducing a response, whether it is promoting growth or inciting
trouble.

Usage Examples:

1. I believe that the new technology will foment our industry and create positive change. (stir up, promote)

2. Henry filed the law suit, not because he needed the money, but because he wanted to foment trouble for
his former employer. (incite, stir up)

3. I was afraid that the letter might foment more tension, so I didn't send it. (evoke, incite)

4. The activist hoped that her impassioned speech would foment positive change in the community.
(promote, evoke)

Gregarious-(adjective)-1. Friendly and sociable 2. Fond of the company of others

Synonyms: social, sociable, extroverted, outgoing, congenial, friendly, jovial, affable

Antonyms: introverted, anti-social, unfriendly

Tips & Usage: Gregarious is derived from the Latin root grex, meaning "flock." This root word implies
togetherness. Think of somebody who enjoys being with others in a flock. Gregarious is more than just friendly;

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gregarious refers to people who love to be around people. The words aggregate, congregate, and congregation
are also derived from the root grex, meaning "flock." All of these words imply togetherness.

Usage Examples:

1. Greg’s gregarious demeanor makes him a fun addition to any party. (outgoing, sociable, friendly)

2. Joanna's gregarious nature compels her to want to go out and be with people every night. (sociable,
congenial, jovial)

3. She was not feeling very gregarious, so she opted to skip the party. (sociable, jovial)

4. His gregarious nature has won him many friends. (sociable, friendly, congenial)

Inadvertent-(adjective)-Done unintentionally or carelessly

Synonyms: unintentional, unplanned, careless, heedless

Antonyms: advertent, planned

Tips & Usage: The word inadvertent is formed from advertere, meaning "to turn the mind to." When your mind
is not turned to what it is you're doing, you may make unintentional, or inadvertent, mistakes. Inadvertent is
usually used to describe mistakes made because of carelessness: "She inadvertently knocked over the vase when
she turned around with her arms carelessly in the air."

Usage Examples:

1. It was an inadvertent mistake, and I’m very sorry. However, berating me won’t help make it right.
(unintentional, careless)

2. I inadvertently overheard the CEO talking about shutting down some of our offices, and I’m worried
that there may be layoffs involved. (unintentionally)

3. If you don't pay attention to what you're doing, then you're more likely to make inadvertent mistakes.
(careless, heedless)

4. The inadvertent error cost them several days of extra work. (careless, unintentional)

Innuendo-(noun)-1. An indirect implication, often malicious or improper 2. In law, an explanation of a legal

term or an interpretation of possibly libelous language

Synonyms: hint, insinuation, sly remark

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Innuendo, in Latin, literally means “by intimation.” It is rooted in the term innuere, which means
“to nod to" or "signify." Innuendo is a suggestion of something (usually inappropriate) that is not stated
explicitly, but rather hinted to. The noun insinuation is similar in meaning and related to innuendo. The verb

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insinuate refers to hinting and making an innuendo (inappropriate suggestion). These terms are generally used
in a negative way.

Usage Examples:

1. His constant sexual innuendoes can’t be tolerated. I think it’s akin to sexual harassment. (insinuations)

2. I’m not sure what you’re insinuating, but if you think that I’m going to respond to your innuendo in a
positive way, you’re mistaken. (sly remark)

3. The professor's innuendo offended several students. Therefore, they complained to the dean.
(insinuation, sly remark)

4. Ryan is always full of innuendo, and it's hard to get a straight answer from him. (insinuation, hint)

Lament-(verb, noun)-(v.)-1. To express sadness or regret about something (n.)-1. The expression of sorrow or
grief 2. A mournful song or poem

Synonyms: (v.) wail, mourn, deplore, bemoan, complain, (n.) complaint

Antonyms: rejoice, exult

Tips & Usage: When someone is lamenting about something, it usually means she is mourning or expressing
sadness. In less formal communication, lament is often used as a more sophisticated way of saying "complain."
For example, "I heard them lamenting about having to work over the weekend." The related noun lamentation
has the same meaning as the noun lament: expression of grief.

Usage Examples:

1. While you were wasting time lamenting the past, we were developing a business solution for the future.
(bemoaning)

2. Her lamentations were only meant to evoke sympathy, and nobody took them seriously. (expressions of
sorrow)

3. His only lament about his job was that he was always stuck in traffic on the way to and from work.
(complaint)

4. Diane lamented that she was always tired and never had time to herself. (complained, expressed sorrow
over)

Meager-(adjective)-1. Deficient or unsatisfactory in quality, quantity, or size 2. Of bad quality 3. Very thin
Synonyms: scant, sparse, scrawny, shabby, inadequate, insubstantial

Antonyms: ample, adequate, sufficient, copious

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Tips & Usage: The root of meager is also the source of the word emaciate. Both words are derived from the
French word maigre, which means “lean" or "thin.” To say that there is a meager amount of something means
"there is not enough of it."

Usage Examples:

1. That’s a very good idea. However, with our meager resources, I’m not sure that we can make it work.
(insubstantial, sparse)

2. The meager salary I earned at my first real job did not allow for any savings. (scant, inadequate)

3. His meager existence did not make him unhappy; he liked leading a simple life. (scant, shabby)

4. The meager amount of food at the cocktail party caused me to leave hungry. (insubstantial, sparse)

Nuance-(noun)-1. A subtle difference, distinction, or variation in something 2. A subtle quality

Synonyms: subtlety, suggestion, hint, trace, refinement

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Nuance came from the French word nuer, meaning "to shade." When something is shaded, it
takes on a slightly different appearance. A nuance is a very slight difference in something such as meaning or
appearance. Two things may seem very much alike, but their nuances are what make them different.

Usage Examples:

1. There was a nuance of anger in his voice that was almost undetectable in his otherwise calm demeanor.
(hint, trace, shade)

2. My best friend is allergic to almonds, and even a nuance of almond flavor will cause her to have a
reaction. (suggestion, trace)

3. If you don't understand the nuances of the author's language, you may not fully appreciate his book.
(subtleties, refinements)

4. The actress is so highly acclaimed because she is able to convey the slightest nuance of emotion with
only her eyes. (hint, trace, suggestion)

Paucity-(noun)-1. A lack of something 2. A small or insufficient number of something

Synonyms: scarcity, insufficiency, dearth, lack, absence

Antonyms: plenty, profusion

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Tips & Usage: Paucity has its roots in the Latin word paucus, meaning "few" or "little." When there is not
enough of something, there is a paucity of it.

Usage Examples:

1. There’s a paucity of good real estate deals right now. Therefore, I’m just going to wait until the market
improves. (scarcity, lack)

2. We have a paucity of employees in the office this week, since so many people are out due to the flu.
(fewness, absence)

3. I've tried to learn more about this illness, but there's a paucity of information about it on the web.
(scarcity, lack)

4. The rescue workers had to deal with the paucity of food, water, and clothing available for the victims of
the disaster. (insufficiency, scarcity)

Pragmatic-(adjective)-1. Guided by practical experience and observation rather than theory or ideology 2.
Relating to matters of fact and practicality

Synonyms: realistic, down-to-earth, practical, sensible, matter-of-fact, logical

Antonyms: ideological, unrealistic

Tips & Usage: Pragmatic is derived from the Latin word pragmaticus, meaning "skilled in business or law." In
order to be successful in business or law, you have to be pragmatic (guided by practical experience) in your
decisions. Pragmatic often refers to people who are hardheaded. However, pragmatic is a positive term for
sensible and practical people and ideas. To say that somebody is pragmatic is generally a compliment.
Pragmatism is the related noun that denotes dealing with a problem in a realistic and logical way.

Usage Examples:

1. He tends to have a more pragmatic approach to solving problems, versus others in the company, who
tend to be overly idealistic. (logical, practical)

2. He didn’t feel that ideology had a place in politics and preferred to take a pragmatic approach to the
issues. (realistic, down-to-earth, logical)

3. I prefer to associate with people who have a pragmatic attitude and approach to life, rather than those
who are idealistic and unrealistic. (realistic, down-to-earth, sensible)

4. I admire her pragmatism, but I think she would have more fun if she allowed some emotion and
spontaneity to enter her life. (sensibility, realism, practicality)

Proliferate-(verb)-1. To increase greatly in number 2. To reproduce rapidly

Synonyms: generate, propagate, grow, increase, multiply

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Antonyms: reduce, destroy

Tips & Usage: To proliferate something means "to greatly and suddenly increase its numbers." The related noun
proliferation is often used in the phrase: "proliferation of nuclear weapons."

Usage Examples:

1. There is a growing Asian community in this part of town, and Chinese restaurants have thus been
proliferating in this neighborhood. (multiplying, increasing in number)

2. Our company has set up policies meant to stop the proliferation of inter-office gossip. (increase,
generation)

3. Home-based businesses have proliferated in large part due to the Internet. (multiplied, propagated)

4. The popularity of low-carb diets has proliferated in recent years. (grown, increased)

Protocol-(noun)-1. Code of conduct or rules of appropriate behavior 2. A formal agreement in politics 3. an

original draft or record of a document

Synonyms: etiquette, rules, conventions, formalities, agreement

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Protocol is a diplomatic and political term that refers to appropriate behavior and rules of
conduct for a particular situation. Protocol can also be a more sophisticated word to use to denote appropriate
actions or rules in business. Protocol can also be used as a verb meaning "to draw up or issue a protocol."
However, it is most often used to refer to rules or conventions.

Usage Examples:

1. Business protocol requires that we arrive at this meeting well-prepared and on time. (etiquette)

2. We currently have several security protocols in place to insure that any sensitive company information is
protected. (rules)

3. The countries established a new trade protocol to help further their respective economies and relations
with each other. (agreement)

4. Carrie broke company protocol when she used her work email address to send personal emails. (rules,
conventions)

Render-(verb)-1. To cause to become 2. To pass down a decision 3. To submit something for approval or
consideration 4. To give back 5. To give or supply 6. To bestow 7. To translate (from one language to another)
8. To portray something artistically 9. To surrender something 10. To melt (fat)

Synonyms: make, cause, pronounce, deliver, proclaim, provide, give, supply, submit, offer, represent, restore,
pay, proffer, translate, depict, portray, impart, interpret, melt

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Antonyms: get, garner, hoard, take

Tips & Usage: Render comes from the Latin word redder, meaning "to give back." When something is
rendered, it is given or passed down. In a broader sense, to render is "to cause" or "create." You may hear render
used in law, as in, "The jury rendered (passed down) the verdict." Or, you may hear render used as a more
sophisticated way of saying "to cause." For example, "The virus rendered (caused) my computer useless." A
rendering, in an artistic sense, is a representation of something else.

Usage Examples:

1. The virus rendered my computer useless until I reinstalled my operating system and anti-virus software.
(made, caused it to become)

2. The jury rendered its verdict in the case much more quickly than had been expected. (pronounced,
delivered)

3. The artist rendered a sketch of her concept before starting to paint. (created, depicted)

4. She renders time to help others and give back to the community. (gives, offers)

Seamless-(adjective)-Perfectly consistent and allowing for smooth transition and continuity

Synonyms: consistent, coherent, smooth, unwrinkled

Antonyms: rough, inconsistent

Tips & Usage: When something is seamless, it means that there is no noticeable change from one part to the
next−it is "without seams." Seamless is often used to describe a perfect plan or plot. Although seamless is often
used literally to describe a stocking without seams, the word is often used more figuratively in business to
describe a smooth transition. The adverb seamlessly refers to something that has been executed smoothly and
without any awkward transitions.

Usage Examples:

1. Our company organized a series of seamless conventions and everyone seemed impressed. (consistent,
perfectly executed)

2. The movie’s seamless plot kept me engaged and guessing at the outcome until the very end. (perfectly
executed)

3. I hoped that the transition from my old computer operating system to my new one would be seamless.
(smooth)

4. It was a seamless execution of a difficult project, and the client was pleased. (smooth)

Unwitting-(adjective)-1. Not aware 2. Not intentional

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Synonyms: unaware, inadvertent, unknowing, unintentional, unplanned

Antonyms: knowing, aware

Tips & Usage: Unwitting is usually used to describe someone who has unknowingly made a mistake or caused a
problem. An unwitting participant in a crime, for example, may be considered completely innocent because he
or she was used or manipulated.

Usage Examples:

1. There’s no need to apologize. I realize it was an unwitting mistake, and I don’t blame you at all.
(unintentional)

2. She unwittingly helped her boss shred some files, which she had no idea contained sensitive information
pertinent to the case against their firm. (unknowingly)

3. His unwitting comment hurt her feelings, and he found himself apologizing for something he hadn't
meant to do. (inadvertent, unintentional)

4. The woman was an unwitting victim of an extensive crime plot. (unknowing, unaware)

Wary-(adjective)-1. Cautious and watchful 2. Openly distrustful

Synonyms: cautious, circumspect, watchful, mistrustful, suspicious, guarded

Antonyms: foolhardy, careless, unwary, trusting

Tips & Usage: To be wary means "to be cautious and guarded." If you are wary about something, you don't
quite trust it. To do something warily is to do it cautiously. While wary and circumspect are synonymous, wary
is more specifically, "cautious and watchful." For example, you may be wary of rocks while barefoot in the
water. Circumspect is more "cautious and prudent," in that someone who is circumspect wouldn't act until
carefully considering the outcome. For example, "He is very circumspect about entering into new business
deals."

Usage Examples:

1. The children were taught to be wary of strangers. (cautious, mistrustful)

2. The company executives were wary of the board’s decision to merge with their biggest rival in the
industry. (circumspect, suspicious)

3. We were wary of the strange dog at first. However, he seemed friendly, and we thus walked over to pet
him. (mistrustful, cautious)

4. We warily smiled at the car salesman as he approached us. (cautiously, guardedly)

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Section 14 Test

1. He is well liked by his clients because of his confident and __________ personality.

2. As I entered the grocery store, I was ____________ by several peopled who wanted me to sign their
petition.
3. As Molly reached for the phone, she _____________ knocked over an expensive vase.

4. Before we put together a financial budget, we need to calculate our average monthly ______________.

5. I don’t think he’s telling the truth because of the ____________ between his words and his facial
expression.
6. I didn’t think the client liked our ideas because there was a ___________ of displeasure in his voice as
he thanked us for our presentation.
7. I was very angry when I learned that I had been an ________________ participant in their dishonest
schemes.
8. I feel uncomfortable whenever he makes any sexual _____________.

9. It is important that when we present as a team, we have ____________ transitions between speakers.

10. She often contributes her time to philanthropic organizations and tries to ____________ assistance to
various charities whenever possible.
11. The client has requested that we design several marketing _____________ pieces to help support the
new ad campaign.
12. I’m a bit _____________ of these new ideas because I’m not sure that they’re going to work.

13. You can’t always be so ___________ about everything; sometimes you have to allow yourself to be
driven by your emotions.
14. Many economists worry that the ____________ savings rate of the majority of Americans will cause
problems for the country’s financial future.
15. The United States has signed treaties with several nations to stop the ____________ of nuclear arms.

16. When our office assistant resigned for a higher-paying job, we wished him luck in all his future
______________.
17. I still think we can win this business. I am not ready to ____________ .

18. Company _____________ requires that all employees sign out before leaving for lunch.

19. The director of operations was well liked, and several people ____________ his resignation.

20. Sandra had mixed emotions about moving to a new city. Moreover, her ____________ was clear in the
way she repeatedly postponed her departure.
21. Rose is an accomplished painter, but continues to be a _____________ student of art−always learning
new techniques and improving her skills.

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22. It seems that there is always too much to do and a __________ of time to do it.

23. The Internet helped to ____________ a completely new way of selling and marketing commercial
products.
24. I think we can ____________ that he is no longer interested in the position because he hasn’t returned
our calls.
25. I love animals, and I am an ______________ supporter of local animal rights groups.

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Section 14 Test Answers
1. account
2. endured
3. contemporary
4. insatiable
5. deem
6. resonated
7. impasse
8. provocative
9. umbrage
10. explicit
11. amicable
12. pensive
13. wrest
14. banal
15. repertoire
16. nullify
17. symmetrical
18. inane
19. precedent
20. encroach
21. latent
22. forgo
23. predisposed
24. mediate
25. collective

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Section 15 Lessons

Accountability-(noun)-1. Responsibility to someone or something 2. Liability for something

Synonyms: liability, answerability, culpability, responsibility

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: To account for something is to take responsibility or to answer for something. When you are
accountable for something, you must answer for it, account for it, or take responsibility for it.

Usage Examples:

1. We don’t have enough accountability in the creative department−no one wants to take responsibility for
unacceptable ad concepts. (answerability, responsibility)

2. How can we account for all the business we lost last month when we meet with the board of directors
next Monday? (answer)

3. You're not my boss; I'm not accountable to you. (answerable)

4. The consumer advocacy group demanded greater accountability from the big energy company. (liability,
answerability)

Amicable-(adjective)-Characterized by friendliness
Synonyms: peaceable, friendly, amiable, neighborly, agreeable

Antonyms: bellicose, contentious, hostile, quarrelsome, uncooperative

Tips & Usage: While amicable and amiable are closely related in meaning, amicable is generally used when
talking about relations between people. Amiable is used to describe the people themselves: "They have an
amicable (friendly) relationship because they are both so amiable (friendly)."

Usage Examples:

1. Our companies came to an amicable agreement and decided to work on the project together. (friendly,
peaceable)

2. I didn’t realize she wasn’t happy with the service we’ve been providing because she was quite amicable
when we spoke last week. (agreeable, amiable)

3. We reached an amicable settlement, despite a few arguments along the way. (peaceable, agreeable,
amiable)

4. I was sad to see my friends divorce, but I was glad that at least it was amicable. (peaceable, friendly)

Banal-(adjective)-1. Boring and lacking in originality 2. Repeated too often and therefore overly familiar

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Synonyms: trite, insipid, common, hackneyed, unoriginal, dull, obvious

Antonyms: original, fresh, new, uncommon

Tips & Usage: The original meaning of banal was "something common to all," which evolved into
"commonplace." Use banal to describe anything that is boring because it is unoriginal or common (been done
before). Banal is synonymous with trite and hackneyed. See a detailed analysis at hackneyed. Banal is also
synonymous with insipid, vapid, and prosaic. See a detailed analysis at insipid. For a memory trick, note how
banal looks like ban al. Al Gore (Democratic Presidential candidate) was known for being boring, and many
people thought his ideas were banal (boring) and unoriginal. Many voters decided to "ban Al" from the
Presidency for having banal (too common, unoriginal) ideas, and because they thought he was banal (boring).

Usage Examples:

1. We need to come up with some better concepts for next week’s presentation−everything we’ve thought
of so far is totally banal. (trite, unoriginal)

2. He thinks his ideas are creative and original, but I find them to be rather banal. (common, hackneyed,
obvious)

3. The conversation at the party was so banal, and I therefore couldn't wait to leave. (dull, insipid)

4. Most of what one sees on television these days is so banal that it makes you wonder if there are any
intelligent and original writers anymore. (insipid, hackneyed, unoriginal)

Collective-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Collected together to make a whole 2. Making or sharing something as a

group (n.)-1. An employee-run business

Synonyms: (adj.) combined, composite, assembled, cooperative, joint, shared, (n.) co-op

Antonyms: divided, separate, individual

Tips & Usage: Think of the related word collect, which means "to gather." The word collective describes things
that are gathered together to make a whole or that are shared by a collected group.

Usage Examples:

1. After hours of deliberation, the jury could not reach a collective decision. (joint, shared, combined)

2. The six women lost a collective 45 pounds while on the diet. (combined, joint, shared)

3. The workers decided to buy the company and turn it into a collective. (cooperative, shared company)

4. The collective data we’ve gathered so far suggests that there is a large enough market to move forward
with our product idea. (combined, aggregate)

Contemporary-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Modern and up-to-date 2. Belonging to the same time period 3. Of
the same age as another person (n.)-1. A person or thing that existed during the same general time as someone
or something else 2. A person who is the same age as someone else

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Synonyms: (adj.) modern, current, present, up-to-date, coexisting, concurrent, (n.) peer

Antonyms: (adj.) obsolete, past, ancient

Tips & Usage: Contemporary is derived from the Latin term contemporarius, meaning "with time."
Contemporary means "modern" and refers to ideas or styles that are in line "with the current times."
Contemporary denotes things that are up-to-date or things or people that have occurred during the same time
period.

Usage Examples:

1. I want to find an interior decorator who is known for cutting-edge, contemporary design. (present-day,
modern)

2. You won't find any antique furniture in that store; it only sells contemporary furniture. (present-day,
modern)

3. Testing on the fossils determined that they were contemporaries. (things that had coexisted, things that
lived concurrently)

4. The composer Salieri was contemporary with Mozart, but most people aren't as familiar with his work as
they are with Mozart's. (existing at the same time)

Deem-(verb)-To judge or consider something

Synonyms: regard, appraise, judge, consider, presume, suppose

Antonyms: disregard, misunderstand, doubt

Tips & Usage: Deem is derived from the Old English term deman, which means "to pass judgment." Think,
judge. If you deem something, it means you have judged it. The literal meaning for deem is "to hold to be true."

Usage Examples:

1. If the doctors deem him unfit for surgery, they will not go forward with the procedure. (judge, consider)

2. We will change the rules only when we deem it to be necessary. (consider, regard)

3. Even though the boy had a slight fever, his mother deemed him well enough to go to school. (judged,
considered)

4. I don't deem your theory to be correct. (regard, consider)

Disposed-(adjective, verb)-1. To be open, inclined, or partial to something−to have a tendency toward

something 3. Past tense of dispose, having gotten rid of something

Synonyms: (adj.) inclined, likely, partial, prone, biased, apt, (v.) discarded

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Antonyms: (adj.) disinclined, unlikely, unwilling

Tips & Usage: Disposed can also be used as an adjective when coupled with ill or well. Someone who is well-
disposed is favorably inclined to something. Someone who is ill-disposed is opposed to something.

Usage Examples:

1. He was an obstinate man who was not disposed to listen to reason. (inclined, apt, likely)

2. When I visited abroad, many people seemed ill-disposed toward Americans. (to be biased unfavorably,
not partial)

3. The company illegally disposed of its toxic waste. (discarded)

4. Although it goes against my better judgment to support your capricious ideas, I’m disposed to agree
with you this time. (inclined)

Encroach-(verb)-To gradually go beyond an acceptable limit

Synonyms: invade, intrude, trespass, infringe, take over, interfere, violate

Antonyms: ignore, avoid, pass

Tips & Usage: Encroach is derived from the Old French term encrochier, which means "seize, hook." Think of
gradually seizing, trespassing, or taking over. Encroach is very often used with the word on. Encroach is
synonymous with the word infringe. Infringe comes from the Latin word for "to steal" or "break" and can refer
more specifically to an encroachment that breaks the law. For example, “He infringed (encroached, trespassed)
upon my privacy rights.” Encroach is more often used to describe a rude or unseemly invasion of space, time, or
privacy.

Usage Examples:

1. Her mother was always trying to encroach on her life. (interfere with, intrude, invade)

2. The building contractors claimed that the new environmental legislation encroaches on their rights.
(violates, trespasses)

3. The neighbor's tree was beginning to encroach onto my property. (trespass, intrude)

4. All these late hours spent at the office are encroaching on my ability to spend time with my family.
(interfering, infringing)

Enduring-(adjective)-1. Persistent or long-lasting 2. Patient through hardships

Synonyms: constant, durable, persisting, lasting, chronic, patient, long-suffering, withstanding

Antonyms: ending, sporadic, discontinued

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Tips & Usage: When learning the adjective enduring, think of the root word endure, which means "to be long-
lasting or to face something courageously." Enduring describes things that are lasting over time or through
hardships.

Usage Examples:

1. She didn't want his drinking to become an enduring problem. (chronic, lasting)

2. She had enduring memories of her childhood neighborhood. (lasting)

3. On their 50th wedding anniversary, the couple celebrated their enduring love. (lasting, durable)

4. The Statue of Liberty is an enduring symbol of freedom. (lasting, constant)

Explicit-(adjective)-1. Clearly expressed and leaving nothing to implication 2. Sexually graphic, open, and
direct

Synonyms: specific, certain, definitive, direct, blunt, obvious, clear, profane

Antonyms: ambiguous, vague, unclear

Tips & Usage: Explicit describes things that are clear and need no explanation or implication. Explicit has come
to be most commonly used to describe profane or sexual content, probably as a shortened version of "sexually
explicit." When something is done explicitly, it is done clearly, specifically, and openly.

Usage Examples:

1. The song was banned because it contained explicit lyrics. (profane)

2. He was not very explicit about when he was planning to visit me. (specific, clear)

3. The new program is explicitly explained in the brochure. (clearly, specifically)

4. Our manager was quite explicit about her expectations of the team, and we all know what we need to
accomplish today. (direct, specific, clear)

Foregoing-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Coming or having been mentioned before, especially in speeches or

writing (n.)-1. The thing that was mentioned before

Synonyms: (adj.) aforementioned, previous, former, prior, preceding

Antonyms: (adj.) following, later, after

Tips & Usage: Foregoing is used in writing to refer to things that have been stated before what is currently
being stated. To forego something means "to precede it." The differently spelled, same-sounding word forgo,
means "to abstain from something."

Usage Examples:

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 1. The foregoing statements explained the plan. Now, we will discuss how to implement it.
(aforementioned, previous, preceding)

2. We have examined the foregoing report and can attest to its validity. (aforementioned)

3. She tried to retract the foregoing statement, but the damage was already done. (previous, prior, former)

4. I’ll have to forgo the conference in Miami because of a foregoing engagement. (prior, preceding)

Impasse-(noun)-1. A point where no agreement can be made, and progress is halted 2. A road with only one
way to get in and out

Synonyms: standstill, deadlock, stalemate, quandary, dead end, gridlock, jam

Antonyms: solution, answer

Tips & Usage: To understand the meaning of the word impasse, simply break it down. When you combine the
Latin prefix im with passe, impasse means "not able to pass." Impasse represents a point where people cannot
move forward.

Usage Examples:

1. After days of talks, labor negotiations hit an impasse. (deadlock, dead end, stalemate)

2. I couldn't take my usual route to work because construction had created an impasse. (dead-end)

3. Because the jurors had hit an impasse, the judge had to declare a mistrial. (deadlock, stalemate)

4. The negotiations reached an impasse when neither side could agree on the price of the product.
(deadlock, stalemate)

Inane-(adjective)-1. Not important or relevant−silly 2. Insubstantial or empty

Synonyms: stupid, empty, insubstantial, silly, mindless, illogical, ridiculous, foolish, pointless

Antonyms: logical, reasonable, important

Tips & Usage: Inane is derived from the Latin term inanis, which means "empty, worthless." Think, "empty."
Inane describes things that are empty of substance or importance. Inane is similar to the words asinine and
insipid. All three words are critiques with slightly different application: Asinine is harsher and refers to
someone lacking intelligence−it is a more sophisticated way of calling someone or something "stupid." Insipid
comes from a Latin word which means "flavorless." Use insipid to comment on something dull, boring, and
silly. Finally, inane should be used to describe something lacking substance, a waste of time, or not thought
through. Inane is less severe than asinine. Inane is also related to the word vacuous, which has a similar Latin
origin meaning “empty and void.”

Usage Examples:

1. She loves to watch those inane reality shows every night. (silly, mindless, ridiculous)

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 2. At the party, I somehow got trapped in an inane conversation about the weather. (mindless, empty)

3. He loved to pull inane pranks on his friends. (ridiculous, silly, stupid)

4. His inane ideas had nothing to do with the meeting, and he wasted everyone’s time with his foolishness.
(illogical, foolish)

Insatiable-(adjective)-Impossible to satisfy
Synonyms: unquenchable, unsatisfied, voracious, unappeasable, wanting, desiring, greedy, gluttonous

Antonyms: satisfied, sated, content, fulfilled

Tips & Usage: It may be helpful to think of the related word satisfy when breaking insatiable down: in means
"not," and satiable means "satisfied." Insatiable describes things that are not able to be satisfied. The verb
satiate, meaning "to satisfy," is derived from the same Latin word satis, meaning "enough, sufficient." Also
think of the word satisfaction. If you can't get satisfaction, you are insatiable. This is a good word to describe
extreme thirst or hunger.

Usage Examples:

1. Even though he had eaten a large amount of food, he could not seem to satisfy his insatiable hunger.
(unsatisfied, voracious)

2. She described herself as an insatiable shopper who simply could not shop enough. (voracious,
unappeasable)

3. The politician seemed to have an insatiable need for power. (unquenchable, greedy)

4. She has an insatiable appetite for knowledge and is currently working on her third doctoral degree.
(unappeasable, unsatisfied)

Latent-(adjective)-Present or existing, but needing certain conditions in order to be apparent, expressed, or

developed

Synonyms: dormant, hidden, underlying, inactive, suppressed, unseen, undeveloped, potential, concealed,
lurking, inert

Antonyms: apparent, evident, conspicuous

Tips & Usage: Latent is derived from the Latin term latentem, which means "to lie in hiding, hidden." Latent
describes things that are present but hidden until a specific circumstance brings them out into the open. The
related noun latency means "the state of being hidden or not yet detected."

Usage Examples:

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 1. He had a latent heart condition that went undetected until it was too late. (underlying, hidden)

2. She discovered her latent artistic abilities after she took a class in ceramics. (suppressed, inactive,
hidden)

3. During the latency period of the disease, no symptoms are noticeable. (dormancy)

4. Although he appears quiet and meek, I have a feeling he has a latent talent for negotiating. (suppressed,
undeveloped)

Mediate-(verb, adjective)-(v.)-1. To be in a middle position between two others 2. To attempt to resolve a

dispute by acting as a middleman and working with all parties (adj.)-1. Being in the middle 2. To be neither at
the beginning, nor at the end

Synonyms: (v.) intercede, arbitrate, interfere, moderate, negotiate, resolve, interpose

Antonyms: (v.) contend, fight, dispute, judge

Tips & Usage: When learning the meaning of the word mediate, think of the related word median, which means
"middle." Mediate refers to objectively overseeing, by being in the middle of, a dispute in order to help resolve
it. A mediator is the person mediating or handling the mediation.

Usage Examples:

1. An independent committee will help mediate the labor dispute. (arbitrate, resolve, negotiate)

2. Jill was sent in to mediate the negotiations and make sure that both sides were happy with the outcome.
(arbitrate, moderate)

3. They have asked a priest to mediate the hostage situation. (resolve, intercede in, negotiate)

4. I think I'm right, and you think you're right. What we need is a good mediator to resolve this impasse.
(negotiator, moderator)

Nullify-(verb)-To cancel something or make it invalid

Synonyms: cancel, invalidate, negate, revoke, veto, void, undo

Antonyms: keep, finish, save

Tips & Usage: The related term annul means "to render void or invalidate." The adjective null means "invalid,
ineffective, or worthless," and it is often used in the phrase "null and void."

Usage Examples:

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 1. Since the soccer player got a foul just after he kicked the ball, the referee will nullify the goal. (negate,
cancel, invalidate)

2. The Supreme Court was asked to nullify the decision of the lower court. (revoke, undo)

3. The principal nullified the student committee's decision. (invalidated, negated, vetoed)

4. The CEO feels that we should nullify this contract because it is not in accordance with our policy.
(cancel, void)

Pensive-(adjective)-Being in deep thought, often in a sad or serious manner

Synonyms: thoughtful, wistful, absorbed, contemplative, musing, pondering, solemn, speculative, reflective,
meditative, melancholy

Antonyms: thoughtless, unthinking, light-hearted

Tips & Usage: Pensive is derived from the Latin term pensare, which means "consider" or "weigh." Pensive
describes people who are deep in thought while looking like they are seriously considering something.

Usage Examples:

1. She sat quietly at her desk, looking pensive. (contemplative, pondering, absorbed)

2. I could tell by my father's pensive expression that he was deep in thought. (meditative, solemn)

3. The woman was in a pensive mood, thinking about what had happened that day. (solemn, serious,
contemplative)

4. The VP of marketing seemed to be in a pensive mood, so I decided to leave him to his thoughts.
(reflective, musing)

Precedent-(noun, adjective)-(n.)-1. An action or decision from the past that can be used as an example for
future, similar circumstances 2. An established custom or practice 3. A law established by following previous
legal decisions (adj.)-1. Preceding in time, order, or significance

Synonyms: (n.) example, instance, model, pattern, paradigm, precursor, prototype, guideline, (adj.) prior,
preceding, foregoing

Antonyms: (adj.) following, descendent

Tips & Usage: When learning the meaning of the word precedent, think of the related word precede, which
means "to go before." A precedent is something that has happened before and is used as an example of how
something similar should be handled. Something that is unprecedented does not have a precedent. Note: many
people confuse precedent with precedence. Precedence refers to something that is more important than other
things and should be addressed first. "This has precedence (importance) over everything else."

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Usage Examples:

1. The case is likely to serve as a precedent for future, similar cases. (model, example, prototype)

2. The lawyer cited several precedents when making his case. (instances, models, examples)

3. In an unprecedented move, the judge declared the man insane. (without prior example)

4. The judge had a difficult time ruling on the case because there was really no precedent on which to base
his ruling. (example, model)

Provocative-(adjective)-Intending to stimulate or excite

Synonyms: inflammatory, aggravating, arousing, challenging, disturbing, exciting, stimulating, inspirational

Antonyms: common, dull, uninspiring

Tips & Usage: Provocative is derived from the Latin word provocare, which means "to call forth." Provocative
describes things that call forth emotion, stimulate, or excite. The related verb provoke means "to cause a strong
reaction, bring about, or incite." The phrase "thought-provoking" is a great phrase to describe any question or
discussion that provokes you to think about an issue, problem, or question in greater detail. If something is
provocative, it will make you think. It could be good, or it could be bad. Either way, it will provoke thought. If
behavior or clothing is characterized as provocative, it is usually intended to cause sexual desire.

Usage Examples:

1. She gave him a provocative smile as she slowly and deliberately crossed her legs. (sexually exciting,
arousing)

2. The movie was very provocative; everyone left the theater emotional. (disturbing, challenging,
stimulating)

3. Her provocative statements anger some people. Most often though, they lead to stimulating discussion.
(challenging, stimulating)

4. Don’t you think that dress is a bit too provocative for a conservative company party? (exciting,
arousing)

Repertoire-(noun)-1. A collection of works of art 2. The range of skills of a person or group

Synonyms: collection, list, range, repository, stock, supply, repertory

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Repertoire is derived from Late Latin term repertorium, which means "inventory." A repertoire
is like an inventory of plays, songs, or skills, to be used or brought forth at the ready.

Usage Examples:

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 1. The guitarist had hundreds of songs in his repertoire. (collection, list)

2. After I completed the class, I was able to add typing to my repertoire of skills. (list, range)

3. She's always looking for good recipes to add to her repertoire of delicious dishes. (supply, stock,
collection)

4. The actor’s repertoire included many accents, which allowed him to play foreign characters. (range, skill
set)

Resonant-(adjective)-1. Deep in sound 2. Characterized by reverberation

Synonyms: resounding, reverberant, deep, echoing, lasting, intensified, full, rich

Antonyms: shallow, short, soft

Tips & Usage: Resonant is derived from the Latin term resonantia, which means "echo." Think of the way an
echo lasts and reverberates. Resonant describes sounds that are strong or that have a lasting effect (like an
echo). The related verb resonate means "to have a strong effect that lasts a long time," and "to come across or be
understood."

Usage Examples:

1. The resonant church bells could be heard throughout the village. (echoing, rich)

2. The instrument made a rich, resonant sound. (deep, reverberant)

3. After delivering the anti-drug presentation to the kids, it was difficult to tell if the messages resonated or
not. (got through)

4. The resonant sound of the drum echoed throughout the auditorium. (deep, lasting)

Symmetry-(noun)-The property of having parts that are the same, especially when on opposite sides of a
dividing line

Synonyms: proportion, balance, uniformity, evenness, similarity, equality

Antonyms: imbalance, inequality, difference

Tips & Usage: Symmetry is derived from the Greek term symmetria, which means "agreement in measure."
Symmetry is an agreement in measure−it is sameness of parts. The adjective symmetrical refers to anything that
is balanced or uniform, while asymmetrical is the opposite.

Usage Examples:

1. Most living things have a natural line of symmetry. (balance, evenness, proportion)

2. Her facial symmetry was almost perfect. (evenness, proportion)

3. The students all made symmetrical pictures of butterflies. (balanced, well-proportioned)

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 4. I find that arranging my office furniture in a symmetrical way makes me feel more organized than when
things are unbalanced. (balanced, proportioned)

Umbrage-(noun)-Anger or resentment that comes from being offended

Synonyms: displeasure, anger, annoyance, grudge, huff, resentment, wrath, offense, suspicion, hostility

Antonyms: affection, amity

Tips & Usage: Today, umbrage is generally used to mean "offense" and is coupled with forms of the word take.
People who have taken umbrage are angry and offended. Umbrage can also mean "a giver of shade," like a tree.
However, this meaning is not often used.

Usage Examples:

1. The actor took umbrage with the theater critic's poor review. (offense, resentment)

2. She took umbrage with his rude comment. (offense, displeasure)

3. I took umbrage with the harsh way in which the company laid off its employees. (offense, resentment)

4. Joe took umbrage at my innocent question and held a grudge against me all week. (offense, displeasure)

Wrest-(verb)-1. To seize something by force 2. To get something with considerable effort 3. To twist words so
that the meaning is changed

Synonyms: extort, extract, seize, wrench, snatch, yank, force, twist, spin, take

Antonyms: give, offer

Tips & Usage: When learning the meaning of the word wrest, it may be helpful to think of the related word
wrestle. When you wrest something, you wrestle it away, both literally and figuratively. Wrest can also be a
noun meaning "a sharp pull."

Usage Examples:

1. The police had to wrest the weapon from the man's hand. (seize, take, snatch)

2. During the attack, the military tried to wrest control of the city. (take, seize)

3. The politician's quote was taken out of context and wrested by the press. (twisted, spun)

4. In an unsuccessful coup, the COO tried to wrest control of the company by asking the board to promote
him to CEO and oust the incumbent. (snatch, take)

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237
Section 15 Test

1. The Chief Financial Officer was fired when he couldn’t ___________ for some missing funds.

2. I have ____________ your constant complaining for too long. If you don’t like this job, please resign.

3. I enjoy visiting ______________ art museums more than museums that house works by old master
painters like Da Vinci.
4. His need for wealth and power is _________________; I don’t think he’ll ever be satisfied with what he
has.
5. Do you ___________ this project to be a success, or do you think we could have done a better job?

6. They seemed to be nodding their heads in agreement during your presentation. Therefore, I think all of
our ideas_____________ with the audience.
7. Their inability to reach an agreement on the budget created an economic ________________.

8. I think she made those _____________ remarks just to get a rise out of you.

9. It’s best to watch what you say around the new manager because he’s apt to take ____________ at the
slightest criticism.
10. I appreciated my boss’s candor during my annual review, and I’m sure that her ___________
suggestions will help me improve my performance at work.
11. I am sure we can find an ____________ way to resolve this issue so both parties are happy.

12. After we lost the account to one of our biggest competitors, the CEO became ____________. It was then
clear that he was reflecting on what we could have done differently.
13. I tried to _____________ the basketball from one of the opposing players.

14. We’re long overdue for a new ad campaign; our present ads are starting to seem ______________.

15. The graphic designer I just hired has a great _______________ of promotional pieces in her portfolio.

16. We’ll have to call our attorneys to find out if it’s possible to _______________ this contract, or if we’re
bound to its terms.
17. Her face is remarkably ______________, which is unusual because most people have nuances on the
left or right side that make their faces more interesting.
18. His statements were more than annoying. They were ___________, and everyone was quite vexed that
he was wasting their time.
19. The President set a ____________ for others to follow with his great work ethic.

20. I didn’t want to ____________ on his privacy, but there were some personal questions I just had to ask.

21. I believe we have a ____________ financial crisis on our hands, and we have to act now if we want to
avert bankruptcy.

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22. I’m on a diet, so I’ll unfortunately have to __________ that delicious-looking dessert.

23. She was so _____________ to disagreeing with everything he said−half the time she didn’t even listen
to his ideas.
24. Please stop arguing and let me try to help ____________ a resolution that you can both live with.

25. The PR firm invited a ______________ of top executives to a charity luncheon.

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Section 15 Test Answers
1. incensed
2. deference
3. command
4. amortize
5. synergy
6. captivated
7. usurped
8. begrudges
9. exponential
10. repository
11. contentious
12. helm
13. juxtapose
14. engaging
15. disseminated
16. accrued
17. obsolete
18. precursors
19. wry
20. foremost
21. perceived
22. semblance
23. ideological
24. proximity
25. lauded

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Section 16 Lessons

Accrue-(verb)-1. To accumulate something gradually over time 2. To increase something through growth
Synonyms: accumulate, acquire, gain, increase, store, grow, amass, collect

Antonyms: decrease, disperse

Tips & Usage: Accrue is derived from the Old French term acreue, which means "an increase or growth."
Think, growth or the accumulation of money or expenses over time. The related noun accrual refers to
accumulation or growth.

Usage Examples:

1. I hoped my investments would significantly accrue over time. (grow, increase)

2. Employees will start to accrue sick leave after six months of employment. (acquire, accumulate)

3. According to the terms of his home loan, he will have to pay off the accrued interest every month.
(amassed, accumulated)

4. Our company needs a large accrual of funds in order to proceed with our research and development.
(accumulation)

Amortize-(verb)-1. To pay off a debt with gradual installments 2. To spread out the cost over several
payments or different applications

Synonyms: liquidate, pay, reimburse, repay, satisfy, settle

Antonyms: renege, breach

Tips & Usage: Amortize is derived from the Old French term amortiss, which means "to deaden." Think of
deadening or extinguishing a debt. The related noun amortization refers to the reduction of the value of an asset
by prorating its cost over a period of years, or to the payment of an obligation in a series of installments. In
business, amortize can be a positive word if you mention it in a context of spreading out an investment for a
number of different applications: "We should be able to amortize (apply, utilize) our investment in a number of
different ways."

Usage Examples:

1. He will make additional payments every month in order to amortize the loan. (repay, settle)

2. They figured it would take five years to amortize their debt. (pay off, repay, satisfy)

3. Most home loans are amortized over 30 years. (repaid, paid)

4. The amortization of my accrued credit card debt will take several months. (repayment)

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Begrudge-(verb)-1. To give something, even though you don't want to 2. To resent or envy what someone else
is enjoying

Synonyms: resent, envy, grudge, covet

Antonyms: applaud, appreciate

Tips & Usage: Begrudge is a simple word to learn when you break it down: be + grudge, meaning "resentment."
Therefore, to begrudge is "to be resentful of someone else's enjoyment" or "to be resentful when giving
something." The related adverb begrudgingly describes actions done with resentment.

Usage Examples:

1. He was a miser, so he begrudgingly gave his employees raises to prevent them from quitting.
(resentfully, grudgingly)

2. I don't begrudge his success; I am actually quite happy for him. (resent, envy)

3. She begrudgingly gave back the money. (resentfully, enviously)

4. I’m actually quite happy that you got the promotion instead of me; I don’t begrudge you at all. (resent,
envy)

Captivate-(verb)-To gain and hold attention by being extremely interesting, exciting, charming, or attractive
Synonyms: enamor, attract, charm, dazzle, enthrall, mesmerize, fascinate

Antonyms: offend, repulse

Tips & Usage: When learning the word captivate, think of the related word capture. To captivate is to capture
someone's attention by being irresistible. The related adjective captivating describes things that are appealing,
irresistible, and intriguing. Captivate is synonymous with enamor. If you are captivated by something, it
captures your attention because it is intriguing and of great interest to you. If you are enamored by something, it
captures your attention because of its beauty. Or, you are attracted to it or charmed by it. A woman can
captivate a man with an interesting story and enamor him with her beauty.

Usage Examples:

1. He was sure his great manners and winning smile would captivate his girlfriend's parents. (enamor,
charm)

2. The magician captivated the audience with his amazing tricks. (mesmerized, dazzled)

3. I couldn't put the book down; it was absolutely captivating. (enthralling, riveting)

4. We need to come up with product packaging that will really captivate consumer attention. . (attract,
dazzle)

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Command-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. An order 2. Control over somebody or something 3. In-depth knowledge or
great skill (especially with a language) (v.)-1. To give an order 2. To have authority or control over someone or
something 3. To demand or be entitled to something 4. To look over something (such as a view)

Synonyms: (n.) order, demand, rule, mandate, request, instruction, authority, power, domination, understanding,
knowledge, grasp, mastery, (v.) tell, direct, require, overlook

Antonyms: (n.) incertitude, (v.) follow, obey, comply

Tips & Usage: Command is derived from the Latin term mandare, which means "to order" or "entrust." This is
also the root for the English word mandate. Command is an excellent word because it can be used in so many
ways. Its underlying meaning in all of its uses is that whatever or whoever commands, or is described as
commanding, is above someone or something else−a commanding officer, a commanding view, command of a
foreign language, command over another person, etc.

Usage Examples:

1. The officer was given a command, and he followed it. (order, demand)

2. His complete command over his staff comes from his ability to use authority in a respectful, not
domineering, manner. (authority, power)

3. Jeremy is a captivating speaker who commands the attention of everyone in the room when presenting
an idea. (requires, demands)

4. I love my new hillside home because it commands an amazing view of the ocean. (overlooks)

Contentious-(adjective)-1. Likely to cause an argument or controversy 2. Intending or likely to argue or fight

3. Hostile, aggressive, tense, and quarrelsome

Synonyms: belligerent, argumentative, controversial, quarrelsome, combative, antagonistic, aggressive, hostile,

litigious

Antonyms: agreeable, passive, nice

Tips & Usage: The related word contend means "to argue that something is the truth." Contentious describes
things that are likely to cause such an argument or a tense situation. Do not be tricked by the root content. There
is no content (happiness) in a contentious situation−there is actually contention (disagreement). You may have
heard the phrase "point of contention." This means "a point of argument or disagreement." In a contentious
(disagreeable) argument, there are numerous points of contention (disagreement) to contend (deal, try to prove
true) with.

Usage Examples:

1. His contentious remarks regularly caused gossip and controversy among staff members. (controversial,
disagreeable)

2. Politics is a contentious subject in our house, so we don't discuss it much. (argumentative, controversial)

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 3. In order to get a good story, the reporter asked the politician contentious questions to provoke him.
(argumentative, antagonistic)

4. It was a rather contentious meeting; several arguments ensued. (hostile, quarrelsome)

Deference-(noun)-1. Polite respect, especially putting another person’s interests first 2. A disposition or
tendency to yield to the will of others

Synonyms: homage, obeisance, reverence, submission, respect, consideration

Antonyms: insolence, irreverence disesteem, disfavor discourtesy, incivility, rudeness

Tips & Usage: When learning the word deference, think of the related verb defer, which means "to submit or
yield to another's wish or opinion." If you were to defer a decision to someone else out of respect, that would be
deference. For example, "When asked where they wanted to go for dinner, she deferred (yielded) to her friend
to make the decision out of deference (respect, consideration)." Deference is really a more sophisticated way of
saying "respect." The adjective deferential means "respectful and polite."

Usage Examples:

1. Out of deference to our guests, we always ask them what they want for dinner. (respect, consideration)

2. He will defer to his lawyers about whether or not to take the stand during the trial. (yield, concede,
submit)

3. The professor, who is very esteemed by his colleagues, does not get the deference he deserves from his
students. (respect, regard)

4. In deference to the manager’s wishes, our team came in to finish the project over the weekend. (respect,
concession, regard, yielding)

Disseminate-(verb)-To spread something around, especially information

Synonyms: broadcast, distribute, advertise, disperse, propagate, scatter, spread

Antonyms: collect, gather

Tips & Usage: Disseminate is derived from the Latin term disseminatus, which means "to scatter seeds around."
It may be helpful to picture information being scattered around in many directions, like seeds. The noun
dissemination refers to broadcasting or distribution, usually of news or information.

Usage Examples:

1. She is using the web to disseminate her petition. (distribute, advertise, spread)

2. It didn't take long for the rumor to disseminate throughout the school. (spread, disperse, scatter)

3. I’d rather not disseminate this information until we’re sure that it’s true. (spread, broadcast)

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 4. The dissemination of public policy information allows members of the community to discuss new laws
before they go into effect. (distribution, broadcasting)

Engaging-(adjective)-So charming or pleasing it captivates your attention

Synonyms: charming, agreeable, attractive, captivating, magnetic, inviting

Antonyms: unappealing, repulsive, disgusting

Tips & Usage: When learning the word engaging, think, “gaining and holding a person's attention.” Engaging
describes things or people that are so charming or attractive that they captivate attention. The verb engage has
several meanings, including, “to participate, employ, occupy, fascinate, and to interest someone with
something.”

Usage Examples:

1. I was mesmerized by her engaging smile. (charming, magnetic, attractive)

2. The artist’s work was so engaging that I returned to the gallery several times. (captivating, attractive)

3. He was deeply engaged in a conversation and didn’t notice me sneak up behind him. (occupied,
interested)

4. I tried to engage her in a conversation about politics, but she wasn't interested in discussing anything
potentially controversial. (interest, get to participate)

Exponentially-(adverb)-Describes a rate of increase that is extremely quick, appearing to grow by

mathematical exponents

Synonyms: mathematically, numerically, rapidly, quickly, expeditiously

Antonyms: slowly, sluggishly

Tips & Usage: When learning the word exponential, think of the root word exponent, which in mathematics
means "a number that indicates how many times another number should be multiplied by itself." Exponentially
describes growth that moves quickly (as if the quantity is being increased by exponents). The related adjective
exponential describes things with rapid growth.

Usage Examples:

1. The new advertising strategy is expected to increase sales exponentially. (rapidly, quickly)

2. After the boss quit, employee morale grew exponentially. (expeditiously, quickly, rapidly)

3. We are expecting exponential growth in profits next year. (quick, rapid, mathematically and numerically
significant)

4. The number of homes with Internet connections has seen exponential growth over the last few years.
(rapid, expeditious)

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Foremost-(adjective)-1. The most important 2. Before all else
Synonyms: first, highest, leading, chief, principle, best, prominent, predominant

Antonyms: last, behind, unimportant

Tips & Usage: When learning foremost, it may be helpful to break the word down: fore, meaning "before" +
most, as in "the most important, first." Foremost describes things that are first, best, and come before most
others in a given field. "First and foremost" is a common way to start a speech.

Usage Examples:

1. First and foremost, we will try to have fun, but our secondary goal is winning. (most important, most
prominently)

2. Professor Jackson was the university's foremost expert in the field of biology. (prominent, best)

3. The foremost issue on the voters' minds seemed to be the economy. (first, front, most prominent)

4. First and foremost, I would like to begin by thanking you all for coming here today. (leading,
predominant)

Helm-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. A position of control and leadership (v.)-1. To be in charge or in control of

something

Synonyms: (n.) front, lead, controller, commander, captain, chairman, master, guide, instructor, (v.) control,
guide, lead, steer, commandeer

Antonyms: (n.) follower, lackey, (v.) follow

Tips & Usage: In addition to meaning "leader," helm also refers to the steering mechanism of a ship. Since the
person steering the ship is in charge of the course, helm has come to mean "position of leadership." Helm is
almost always used figuratively rather than in its literal, nautical use−"at the helm." "Take the helm" and "man
the helm" are all phrases used figuratively to describe taking charge of a situation.

Usage Examples:

1. The new executive will take the helm next week. (position of leader)

2. He did a lot to foster the company's success while at the helm. (front, position of leader)

3. She significantly increased profits after only one year at the helm of this sales team. (front, command)

4. The managing partner is at the helm of client negotiations, and I’m confident that his leadership abilities
will win the business for our firm. (front, leader, guide)

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Incensed-(adjective)-Extremely angry at something unjust
Synonyms: angered, furious, enraged, fuming, maddened, peeved, steamed, miffed

Antonyms: calm, content, happy

Tips & Usage: Incensed is derived from the Latin term incensare, which means "set on fire." Think of burning
incense. Now think of burning anger, and you have a better understanding of the adjective incensed (angered,
furious). The related verb incense means "to make someone angry."

Usage Examples:

1. She was incensed at his rude remark. (angered, fuming)

2. The woman became incensed when she saw her son's terrible grades on his report card. (furious,
enraged)

3. His controversial speech was likely to incense the audience. (anger, madden)

4. The young attorney’s cocky attitude incensed the judge, who then held him in contempt. (enraged,
angered)

Ideology-(noun)-A set or system of social beliefs that characterize how a group or an individual thinks
Synonyms: beliefs, ideas, culture, outlook, thought, philosophy, theory, credo, tenet

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Ideology literally means, "the science of ideas." Ideology is generally used when referring to
political beliefs or doctrines. The related adjective ideological describes things that are based on a particular set
of ideas.

Usage Examples:

1. He changed his ideology from socialistic to capitalistic over the last few years. (beliefs, philosophy,
outlook)

2. Because she is not from this country, she subscribes to a different cultural ideology. (credo, philosophy)

3. There was an ideological shift among the populace soon after the new leader took over the country.
(philosophical, cultural)

4. Her ideology is refreshing. I believe that if even half of her ideas are implemented, this company will
thrive. (outlook, philosophy)

Juxtaposed-(adjective)-Placed side by side, especially in order to show a comparison

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Synonyms: bordering, adjoining, neighboring, adjacent, touching

Antonyms: separated

Tips & Usage: Juxtaposed is derived from the Latin term juxta, meaning "beside," and pose, meaning "put into
position." Therefore, juxtaposed literally means "in a side-by-side position." The verb juxtapose means "to place
side by side," often for comparison. The related noun is juxtaposition and denotes a comparison or relationship
between two or more things. For a memory trick, note how juxtapose sounds like just suppose. Now, imagine
you wanted to paint a wall, and you asked your roommate to "just suppose we painted the wall this color green
or this color blue." Assume swatches of each color were juxtaposed (presented side by side) on the wall for your
roommate to consider. Juxtaposed is similar in meaning to adjacent.

Usage Examples:

1. In her documentary, the director juxtaposed poverty with affluence in order to evoke more emotion from
the audience. (compared, adjoined)

2. Violent images of war were juxtaposed with peaceful images of babies in the photographer's new
exhibit. (placed side by side)

3. The painting was about the juxtaposition of pain and pleasure. (comparison, contrast)

4. It was difficult to see the difference between the two colors chosen by the designer, until they were
juxtaposed. (touching, bordering, side by side)

Laud-(verb)-To praise highly−glorify

Synonyms: acclaim, celebrate, compliment, praise, glorify, honor, extol

Antonyms: criticize, censure, boo

Tips & Usage: When learning the word laud, think of the related word applaud, which means "expressing your
approval of something, usually by clapping your hands together." To laud someone is to praise her for her
performance. The related adjective laudable describes things worthy of such praise. Something or someone
described as laudatory is full of praise or giving praise: "They lauded (praised) his laudable (praise-worthy)
performance by standing up and applauding."

Usage Examples:

1. The great concert pianist was lauded for his talent. (acclaimed, extolled)

2. The policy was lauded for helping to reduce homelessness. (complimented, praised)

3. His heroism in the war was laudable. (worthy of praise, worthy of compliments)

4. His laudatory remarks were so complimentary that they made me blush. (full of praise)

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Obsolete-(adjective)-No longer used, usually because it has been replaced with something better
Synonyms: outdated, discarded, unfashionable, old-fashioned, archaic, extinct, unused, antiquated

Antonyms: current, modern, fresh, up-to-date

Tips & Usage: Obsolete is derived from the Latin term obsoletus, which means "worn out, old." Today,
obsolete describes things that are old, outdated, no longer in use, or have been replaced by something newer
and better.

Usage Examples:

1. The organization specializes in collecting and recycling obsolete computer equipment. (discarded,
archaic, unused)

2. Horse-drawn wagons became obsolete once the car was invented. (extinct, unused)

3. Shakespeare can be hard to read because the language of his time is now largely obsolete. (old-
fashioned, unused, archaic)

4. Although much of today’s communication and correspondence takes place online, the Postal Service is
not quite obsolete. (extinct)

Perceived-(adjective)-Detected by the senses or intuition−felt or understood

Synonyms: discerned, detected, observed, noticed, noticeable, discovered, apparent, believed, felt, sensed

Antonyms: unrecognizable, hidden, unclear

Tips & Usage: Perceived is also the past tense of the verb perceive, which means "to become aware through the
senses or to attain understanding of something." If something is described as perceived, it is noticeable. The
related noun perception refers to observation, insight, or understanding.

Usage Examples:

1. There was a perceived change in the general mood of the employees as the long weekend drew near.
(noticeable, observed)

2. The real value of the car turned out to be significantly less than what she had perceived it to be.
(discerned, believed)

3. In order to land the job, he tried to create a perceived difference between himself and the other
candidates. (noticeable, apparent)

4. His perception of the client’s reaction was quite different from mine. He thought the client was pleased
with our presentation, while I felt that she wasn't happy at all. (observation, understanding)

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Precursor-(noun)-1. Something which happened or existed before 2. An indication that someone or something
is approaching 3. In chemistry, a substance from which another is formed

Synonyms: forerunner, predecessor, originator, messenger, trailblazer, ancestor, founder, prototype

Antonyms: follower

Tips & Usage: Precursor is derived from the Latin term praecursor, meaning "to run before." Precursor is often
used to describe technology. Although the original use of precursor was to describe people, the word is more
often used to describe anything that happened or existed before another thing, especially if it either developed
into it or had an influence on it. When describing people, it may be more appropriate to use the word
predecessor. The adjective precursory is used to describe things that come at the beginning, like an introduction,
and means "initial, preliminary."

Usage Examples:

1. The precursor to our current network infrastructure was slow and bulky. (forerunner)

2. After his precursory statements outlining the project, we got into the heart of the meeting. (introductory,
first, initial)

3. Our new business model is much more streamlined and efficient compared to its precursor. (forerunner,
prototype)

4. During a precursory inspection of the house, I failed to notice many of its problems. (initial,
preliminary)

Proximity-(noun)-The quality of being near or close together

Synonyms: nearness, closeness, vicinity, adjacency, togetherness, juxtaposition, propinquity, immediacy

Antonyms: distance, farness, remoteness

Tips & Usage: Proximity is derived from the Latin term proximus, which means "nearest." Think, nearness.
Proximity is used when describing how near things are to each other and is most often used when referring to
distance or time. You may have heard the phrase "close proximity." This is redundant because proximity means
closeness. Therefore, it's enough to simply say "proximity."

Usage Examples:

1. My house is in proximity to the store and the library. (nearness, vicinity)

2. The proximity of the men's homes helped them to remain friends over the years. (closeness, nearness)

3. They wanted a hotel with proximity to the amusement park. (nearness, closeness)

4. The proximity of our cubicles makes it difficult for me to have a private conversation at the office.
(closeness, adjacency)

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Repository-(noun)-A place used for storage and safekeeping
Synonyms: storage, vault, treasury, depository, locker, container, closet

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Repository is derived from the Late Latin term repositorium, which means "store." Think,
storage. A repository is a storage facility and can also refer to a person to whom a secret is entrusted.

Usage Examples:

1. The nuclear waste repository was dangerously close to the town. (container, storage)

2. We have an online database that serves as a repository for all the information you requested. (treasury,
storage, vault)

3. The librarian was regarded as a repository of useful information. (treasury, vault)

4. Please make sure you lock the repository after you’ve counted the cash. (vault, container)

Semblance-(noun)-1. An outward appearance of something, usually intended to be misleading 2. A

resembling of something else 3. A small amount or faint trace of something

Synonyms: appearance, facade, look, guise, resemblance, similarity, likeness, illusion, trace, suggestion

Antonyms: difference

Tips & Usage: Semblance is derived from the Old French word sembler, meaning “to seem.” It originated from
the Latin term simulare, meaning "to imitate or resemble." This is also the root of the word resemble. Use
semblance as a more sophisticated way of saying "outward appearance." Semblance also denotes likeness or
similarity, whether real or intentionally misleading (like facade).

Usage Examples:

1. She was a very good sketch artist. Even when she worked quickly, her drawings had an unmistakable
semblance of the person she had sketched. (likeness, similarity)

2. He didn't even show a semblance of remorse. (appearance)

3. The manager decided to hire the first person with a semblance of professionalism. (appearance,
suggestion)

4. Although there wasn’t much work to be done, I tried to maintain a semblance of keeping busy.
(appearance, facade)

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Synergy-(noun)-The combined power of different things working together to create a greater effect than if
they were separate

Synonyms: cooperation, coalition, harmony, teamwork, unity, togetherness, accord, agreement, exchange

Antonyms: autonomy, individualism

Tips & Usage: Synergy is derived from the Greek term synergia, which means "joint work, working together,
help." Think, "cooperation and working together." Synergy is the power that is created when people cooperate
and work together. The adjective synergistic describes working together or cooperating.

Usage Examples:

1. The individuals' talents combined to make a team synergy that was virtually unbeatable. (harmony,
unity)

2. The synergy in the office was due to the employees’ genuine affinity for each other and their ability to
work well together. (harmony, cooperation)

3. Even though the coworkers teamed up for the project, they lacked the kind of synergy needed to do a
good job. (teamwork, unity, cooperation)

4. The project was finished well before the client’s deadline thanks to the synergy and cooperation between
the team members. (harmony, accord)

Usurp-(verb)-1. To seize or use something without authority 2. To take the place of

Synonyms: hijack, preempt, take, force, seize, wrest, take over, assume

Antonyms: return, give, bestow

Tips & Usage: Usurp is derived from the Latin term usurpare, which means "seize in order to use." Think of
seizing something or taking it over without regard to rights, permission, or proper authority.

Usage Examples:

1. The media company employed by our client usurped our control over the client’s media schedule.
(hijacked, seized, preempted)

2. It is not right for a government to usurp its people's rights. (take, wrest, seize)

3. She usurped my authority and changed the project plans without input from anyone else. (took,
assumed)

4. In the advertising industry, it’s not uncommon for members of the creative team to usurp other’s ideas.
(take, assume)

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Wry-(adjective)-1. Combining amusement and irony for dry humor−sardonic 2. Temporarily contorted or bent
to one side

Synonyms: sarcastic, sardonic, cynical, crooked, ironic, mocking, twisted, warped

Antonyms: serious, solemn, sober, straight

Tips & Usage: Wry is derived from the Old English term wrigian, which means "to turn or bend." Think of
twisted humor that is dry and sarcastic. A wry sense of humor is one that is askew and completely different
from a more traditional sense of humor−a wry joke is one that finds a unique angle of comedy.

Usage Examples:

1. The comic had a wry, self-deprecating wit. (sarcastic, sardonic)

2. His wry smile led me to believe he was being sarcastic. (crooked, sarcastic, mocking)

3. Some people thought his wry humor was hilarious; others were offended by his twisted jokes. (sardonic,
sarcastic)

4. The journalist’s wry commentary on the state of world affairs made him a popular syndicated columnist.
(cynical, mocking, sarcastic)

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Section 16 Test

1. I found the boss’s criticism to be constructive. However, my partner was ________________ and quit
on the spot.
2. We helped with the preparations for the big conference out of ____________ for our hard-working boss.

3. She’s a great poker player because she has complete ___________ over her facial expressions and can
bluff better than anyone.
4. We can’t just sell all the company assets in a day; it’s going to take a few months to ____________.

5. I don’t think we could have completed this project without the great __________ of the two project
teams.
6. They were ____________ by our ideas, and I’m sure we’ll get the business.

7. I was incensed when the assistant manager ______________ my authority and hired a new employee
without authorization.
8. I am not jealous, and I certainly do not ______________ his success.

9. It’s clear that our company has achieved success when you look at our ___________ growth over the
last couple of years.
10. Our corporate intranet site serves as a _____________ for all of the human resource forms and
documents.
11. There were several arguments and heated discussions. It was quite a _____________ meeting.

12. Who is at the __________ of this project? I need to talk to the person in charge.

13. I won’t be able to make a decision until I _____________ the two plans and compare them against each
other.
14. I enjoy talking to her because I find her interest and knowledge of various topics ____________.

15. The rumor was ______________ quickly, and it was all anyone could talk about.

16. We have ___________ enough investment capital to build our new production facility.

17. That technology hasn’t been in use for a long time; it became _____________ years ago.

18. It’s a good thing we finally got these new computers. The ______________ were pretty antiquated.

19. Does the sarcastic tone of my _________ humor offend you?

20. Before we officially begin this meeting, there is one issue I would like to discuss first and
_______________.
21. When I saw the expression on his face, I _____________ that he was quite angry.

22. The defendant tried to maintain a _______________ of innocence, but his demeanor didn’t convince the
jury because they found him guilty.

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23. His vision for the future of this company is overly _______________ and has very little substance.

24. On my last business trip, I chose a hotel with ______________ to the airport in order to ease my arrival
and departure.
25. The basketball star was _____________ for being the best player to ever step foot on a court.

1. I would like to give your firm the business, but I just can’t give my ____________ to this proposal.

2. Her personal belief system included the ____________ "There’s more to life than work."

3. My boss ____________ me for coming in late this morning.

4. His answers to the questions were _____________ and provided no substantive insights of his beliefs.

5. My business plan is ____________ to the one used by my former company. However, mine is more
industry-specific.
6. He was able to save plenty of money for retirement because of the ____________ spending habits he
employed throughout his life.
7. I’m happy to live in such a _____________ society; I find it more interesting and intellectually
stimulating to have contact with people of varying cultures.
8. I appreciated your ____________ observations during the meeting. We’re lucky to have someone as
astute as you on board.
9. That was an interesting thing for him to say. What was the ____________ of the discussion?

10. Certain natural occurrences are ____________ for scientists because they are unexplained.

11. My coworker never has anything positive to say. Frankly, his ____________ complaining is getting on
my nerves.
12. I dreaded going to the party because I knew I would be drawn into ______________ conversation about
topics I knew nothing about.
13. Are you always this _____________, or are you trying to act ill-informed on purpose?

14. The company’s successful growth and hiring of new employees were the _____________ behind our
need for more office space.
15. Our interns are sometimes relegated to ____________ tasks, like organizing the supply room.

16. Our company has been the ______________ parts manufacturer in the industry for over ten years, and
we’re striving to maintain our leadership position.
17. Running the new departments will be a lot of hard work and should prove to be a ____________
challenge.
18. Before you make your decision, think through it carefully; it ___________ you to give this ample
consideration.

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19. Her _____________ ability to know what I was going to say, before I said it, was unnerving at times.

20. He was very concerned about his ______________ and how people would remember him when he left.

21. These ideas should be ________________ in a proposal we will present to the client.

22. It was clear from his nervousness that his speech was ___________________ and unrehearsed.

23. It took me awhile to learn all of the _______________ details of the plan.

24. The scholarship helped to _____________ some of my college expenses.

25. I was happy to earn a promotion and a pay raise, making my salary _______________ with my work
experience.

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Section 16 Test Answers

1. acquiescence
2. dogma
3. reproved
4. insipid
5. analogous
6. prudent
7. heterogeneous
8. perceptive
9. context
10. enigmas
11. incessant
12. sententious
13. obtuse
14. catalysts
15. menial
16. preeminent
17. formidable
18. behooves
19. uncanny
20. legacy
21. synthesized
22. extemporaneous
23. intricate
24. defray
25. commensurate

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Section 17 Lessons

Acquiesce-(verb)-To agree or give consent

Synonyms: agree, assent, comply, consent, concede, concur

Antonyms: object, protest, differ, dissent

Tips & Usage: Acquiesce is derived from the Latin term acquiescere, meaning "to remain resting." The essence
of acquiesceis is "to agree quietly, without protest−to put any disagreement to rest." Acquiesce is used to
describe a situation where someone originally fought for an idea or silently harbored resistance to an idea, but
then decided it wasn't worth fighting for. Therefore, he acquiesced (quietly agreed) to the other party's
recommendation. Acquiesce is different from capitulate, where someone is forced to surrender or grudgingly
give up and comply with another person's request. Acquiesce is more similar to accede. To accede is to agree
and usually refers to agreeing after careful deliberation. Accede does not imply giving up or putting up
resistance, but rather agreeing after consideration. The related noun acquiescence means consent, compliance,
or agreement.

Usage Examples:

1. I hoped my boss would acquiesce to my request for an extended vacation. (agree, consent)

2. There was a nod of acquiescence from the board members as the CEO outlined his plan for the coming
year. (agreement, compliance)

3. She acquiesced to his request for a second date. (agreed, conceded)

4. He reluctantly acquiesced to the Vice President's recommendation. (agreed)

Analogous-(adjective)-1. Similar in some respects 2. In biology, used to describe parts of the body that have
the same functions but work independently of one another

Synonyms: similar, corresponding, resembling, parallel, alike, equivalent, comparable, associated

Antonyms: different, opposite

Tips & Usage: Analogous originated from the Greek term ana, meaning "according to," and logos, meaning
"ratio." Essentially, things that are analogous are closely linked, but aren't necessarily the same. Use analogous
to compare things that are similar in some respects, but essentially dissimilar. For example, "a brain and a
computer are analogous." The related noun analogy is a comparison between two similar things. Analogy and
metaphor are similar in meaning.

Usage Examples:

1. American football and rugby are considered to be analogous sports. (similar, comparable)

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 2. This report is analogous to the one you handed in last week, but I found it to be much more concise.
(similar, corresponding)

3. The wings of a bee and the wings of a hummingbird are analogous. (similar, comparable)

4. It is sometimes easier to explain an abstract concept by using an analogy with something easier to
understand. (comparison, metaphor)

Behoove-(verb)-To be necessary, advantageous, or appropriate

Synonyms: befit, profit, require, oblige, help, benefit

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Behoove is usually used in the sense of "something behooves…," meaning that something is
fitting, proper, or prudent, given the circumstances. If it behooves you to do something, it means that doing it
will benefit you in some way.

Usage Examples:

1. It would behoove you to tell me what's wrong so I can help you sort out the problem. (befit, help)

2. It behooves us to provide our employees with the best compensation plan possible. (benefits, profits)

3. It would behoove you to be respectful toward your coworkers; you never know when one of them will
become your boss. (help, benefit)

4. I think it would behoove us to consider his recommendation. (benefit, profit, help)

Catalyst-(noun)-Something that causes an action or event to occur

Synonyms: stimulus, instrument, impulse, motivation, reactor, synergist, agitator, accelerator

Antonyms: damper

Tips & Usage: A catalyst is anything that brings about an action or change. In chemistry, a catalyst is a
substance that speeds and brings about a chemical reaction without undergoing change itself. Use catalyst to
describe anything that causes action where there was previously inaction.

Usage Examples:

1. The argument was the catalyst for the couple's breakup. (motivation, accelerator)

2. Our main competitor’s encroachment on our market share was the catalyst behind our more aggressive
marketing approach. (stimulus, motivation)

3. We hope our increased ad spending will be a catalyst for increased sales. (instrument, stimulus)

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 4. The increase in violent crime was a catalyst for the creation of the “Three Strikes Law.” (stimulus,
motivator)

Commensurate-(adjective)-Corresponding in size, extend, or proportion

Synonyms: equal, proportionate, corresponding, comparable, matching, same, even

Antonyms: disproportionate, unequal, mismatched, uneven

Tips & Usage: Commensurate comes from the Latin term mensura, meaning "to measure." Things that can be
equally measured are commensurate, or proportionate, to one another. Commensurate is often used in the
context of salary, as in "salary commensurate with experience."

Usage Examples:

1. I was afraid that due to my lack of experience, I would not be able to find a high-paying job. However, I
found a position with a salary that was commensurate with knowledge and intelligence, not the number
of years in the industry. (corresponding, proportionate)

2. His knowledge is not commensurate with that of someone who has been working in this field as long as
he has. (equal, comparable)

3. We are changing our pay structure for the sales team so that pay will be commensurate with sales
revenue. (corresponding, proportionate)

4. I think we can all agree that pay should be commensurate with both experience and productivity.
(proportionate, equal)

Context-(noun)-1. A set of facts and circumstances pertaining to a situation or event 2. The linguistic sense of
a word that helps explain its meaning−the words before and after the word in question

Synonyms: circumstance, timing, locale, environment, setting

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: When you put something in context, you essentially explain the full circumstances surrounding
it. This can be true of an event or situation as well as of a word. When you don't understand the meaning of a
word, you can sometimes figure it out from its context−how it's used in a sentence. Contextual clues provide
information as to the meaning of a word or circumstance.

Usage Examples:

1. I know you think that my comments were meant to be critical, but you heard them out of context.
(circumstance, setting)

2. It’s important to use vocabulary words in the proper context because a word’s usage doesn’t always
correspond to its literal meaning. (setting)

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 3. You can often guess the meaning of an unfamiliar word by looking at its context. (words before and
after)

4. The historical context of that event explains a lot about how such an event could happen. (timing,
setting, circumstance)

Defray-(verb)-1. To offset costs or bear an expense 2. To pay some or all of an expense

Synonyms: pay, settle, compensate, redeem

Antonyms: incur (costs)

Tips & Usage: Defray is a more sophisticated way to denote payment, specifically paying down part of or all of
an outstanding expense. It also refers to receiving assistance with a costs or expenses.

Usage Examples:

1. We should be able to defray some of our expenses through money we will receive from our tax refund.
(settle, offset)

2. I’m sure there’s a way we can defray our out-of-pocket costs to get this business started. Perhaps we can
get a small business loan. (redeem, pay)

3. My student loan will defray most of my college tuition. (pay, settle)

4. Whenever I go on business trips, my company defrays all of the travel expenses, including meals. (pays,
compensates)

Dogma-(noun)-1. A religious doctrine 2. A code of beliefs

Synonyms: doctrine, belief, tenet, conviction, creed, credo, ideology, code, system

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Dogma is derived from the Greek term dogma, meaning "opinion." A dogma is essentially a
system of beliefs, whether religious or not, that a person or group adheres to and considers authoritative. A
person can lead his or her life by a certain dogma. The plural of dogma can be either dogmata or dogmas. A
person who is dogmatic (stubborn, opinionated, biased, arrogant) believes that he or she is right in his or her
beliefs or opinions, and everyone else is wrong. Think, "belief that one is right."

Usage Examples:

1. His political dogma paralleled that of the Republican Party. (ideology, belief system)

2. This company has always operated under the dogma that employees must be respected and compensated
fairly. (belief, tenet, conviction)

3. Chad's dogmatic attitude makes it difficult for his employees to express their opinions. (stubborn,
biased, opinionated)

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 4. The professor's dogmatic lecture annoyed his students, who felt that he was using their class time to
propagate his own beliefs. (opinionated, arrogant, egotistical)

Enigma-(noun)-Something that defies explanation

Synonyms: mystery, secret, puzzle, paradox, perplexity

Antonyms: answer, truth, clarity

Tips & Usage: In the history of cryptography, the Enigma was a portable cipher machine used to encrypt and
decrypt secret messages. Today, an enigma is something that's difficult, if not impossible, to explain−something
obscure and mysterious. Enigma is a good word to use for things that are rare and puzzling. Enigma is similar in
meaning to paradox and anomaly. Enigma is best used to describe a mystery−either a person or something that
is not easily explained or understood. A paradox is more of a puzzle or a contradiction. For example, "the
famous paradox of what came first, the chicken or the egg." Finally, an anomaly is an irregularity that seems to
differ from the norm. You will often hear anomaly used in a statistical context: if statistically something is
supposed to happen, but it doesn't, it's usually characterized as an anomaly. The related adjective is enigmatic,
which means "hard to understand or interpret."

Usage Examples:

1. Her enigmatic smile made me wonder what was on her mind. (mysterious)

2. How such an inept person became CEO for a major corporation is truly an enigma. (mystery, perplexity)

3. Everyone joked that it was an enigma that the perpetually late employee made it to work on time.
(mystery, paradox)

4. He's very difficult to figure out−an enigma, really. (puzzle, mystery)

Extemporaneous-(adjective)-Done without any advance preparation

Synonyms: unrehearsed, unprepared, off-the-cuff, improvised, spontaneous, impromptu

Antonyms: rehearsed, prepared, planned

Tips & Usage: Extemporaneous is derived from the Latin term ex tempore, meaning "out of the moment."
Something extemporaneous is unrehearsed and unplanned, like an off-the-cuff speech. To extemporize means
"to improvise," or make it up as you go along. Extemporaneous is synonymous with impromptu.

Usage Examples:

1. His extemporaneous speech was actually quite good for having been improvised. (unprepared, off-the-
cuff)

2. Although the new CEO hadn’t planned on delivering a speech on his first day, he did offer a few
extemporaneous comments of encouragement to his employees. (spontaneous, impromptu)

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 3. The pianist was forced to extemporize when the singer decided to sing a song they had not rehearsed
together. (improvise)

4. All of the laughter garnered by Charlie's extemporaneous comedy routine convinced him that he should
become a professional comedian. (improvised, spontaneous)

Formidable-(adjective)-1. Highly impressive 2. Causing fear 3. Difficult to overcome

Synonyms: impressive, awe-inspiring, overwhelming, imposing, overpowering, fierce, frightful, menacing,
dreadful

Antonyms: weak, fearful, feeble, unimpressive

Tips & Usage: Formidable comes from Latin term formidare, meaning "to fear." Something or someone
formidable can instill fear or dread, but can also be impressive. Think of a formidable opponent−someone who
you are impressed by and fearful to face. You should try to use the word formidable to describe daunting
challenges or opponents. When describing people, use formidable to describe someone that you find
intimidating/impressive. Think of how fear and respect often go hand in hand (e.g. The Godfather).

Usage Examples:

1. The company president had a formidable challenge in growing revenue without increasing costs.
(overwhelming, imposing)

2. This candidate has a formidable list of accomplishments on his resume; I think he’s the right choice for
the position. (impressive)

3. He has a formidable intellect, so I try to be as focused as possible whenever we debate or discuss

politics. (impressive, awe-inspiring)

4. She is a formidable opponent on the tennis court, and I look forward to the challenge of playing against
her. (impressive, fierce)

Heterogeneous-(adjective)-Made up of parts that are different from each other and unrelated
Synonyms: mixed, miscellaneous, varied assorted, diverse, mingled

Antonyms: homogeneous

Tips & Usage: Heterogeneous originated from a Greek term meaning "other kind." The population in the
United States can be described as heterogeneous because of its many, various cultures and nationalities. The
noun heterogeneity means "diversity." The opposite of heterogeneous is homogeneous.

Usage Examples:

1. The many cultures brought together in the United States have created a truly heterogeneous society.
(diverse)

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 2. Thanks to the varied educational backgrounds of our company’s employees, we have a heterogeneous
company culture. This in turn allows a broad range of ideas to thrive. (varied, diverse)

3. The heterogeneity of foods at the pot luck picnic made for a very interesting lunch. (diversity)

4. I really like this company because of its heterogeneous staff−the last place I worked was more
homogeneous and everyone looked, dressed, and acted the same. (diverse, varying)

Incessant-(adjective)-Uninterrupted and continuous

Synonyms: constant, unending, ceaseless, continuous, uninterrupted, perpetual

Antonyms: temporary, periodic

Tips & Usage: Incessant literally means "not stopping." It comes from the Latin term cessare, meaning "to
stop." Something incessant feels like it's never-ending and is usually bothersome, like "incessant noise."

Usage Examples:

1. Her incessant questions were cute at first, but soon became very annoying. (constant)

2. My boss’s incessant demands are putting so much pressure on me that I’m beginning to see physical
signs of the strain. (ceaseless, constant)

3. I always take a month-long vacation during the summer, spend time in the country, and get away from
the incessant noise of the city. (uninterrupted, perpetual)

4. I don't think I could live in Seattle because of the incessant rain during the winter. (continuous, nonstop)

Insipid-(adjective)-1. Having no interest, significance, or impact 2. Without taste of flavor

Synonyms: uninteresting, unimaginative, banal, insignificant, empty, flat, lackluster, jejune, dull, stale, boring,
lifeless, bland, vapid, tasteless, flavorless

Antonyms: interesting, significant, imaginative, savory, flavorful

Tips & Usage: Insipid is derived from the Latin term insipidus, meaning "tasteless." This meaning of having no
flavor has translated beyond food to anything that seems bland, flat, or uninteresting. For a memory trick, think
of the root word sip and how you like to sip and savor something with great taste. Then add the negative in,
meaning "not," and think of something insipid as something you would not like to sip or savor it because it has
no flavor. Insipid is synonymous with vapid, which means flat and lacking flavor. See additional analysis at
vapid. To describe something as insipid is a strong critique. Insipid is related to the word banal. Something
insipid is boring because it lacks flavor, spice, and excitement−it's just dull. Banal describes something boring
and dull because it's been done before and has no originality.

Usage Examples:

1. Her insipid sales presentation had no impact on the client and certainly didn’t raise our bottom line.
(lackluster, insignificant)

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 2. Even the famous actor couldn’t help the ratings of the insipid TV show. (boring, lifeless, banal)

3. The meal was bland and insipid−a simple pizza would have been more tasty. (bland, tasteless,
flavorless)

4. The insipid dialogue and lack of character development in the movie didn't give me any reason to care
about the outcome of the plot. (unimaginative, banal, boring)

Intricate-(adjective)-1. Highly involved or complex 2. Made up of many different parts

Synonyms: complex, involved, tricky, convoluted, complicated, elaborate, entangled

Antonyms: easy, simple

Tips & Usage: Intricate is derived from the Latin term intricare, meaning "to entangle or perplex." Think of
something intricate as being tricky or hard to figure out. The noun intricacy refers to a complexity or difficulty
and is often used to describe details in business.

Usage Examples:

1. The plan was so intricate that I was sure there was an easier way to complete the project. (complex,
convoluted, involved)

2. We can’t let him go because he is the only person who understands all the intricacies of the project.
(complexities, difficulties)

3. The quilt, with all of its intricate needlework, took her over a year to complete. (elaborate, tricky)

4. The police uncovered an intricate network of criminal behavior involved in the money laundering
scheme. (entangled, complex)

Legacy-(noun)-1. Money or property left through a will 2. Something handed down from one person or
generation to another

Synonyms: grant, bequest, gift, bestowal, heritage, inheritance

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: A legacy is something left by an individual, usually after death or at the end of a career. Legacy
can also refer to a part of history and describe what one generation leaves to the next. Legacy can also be an
adjective that refers to old computer hardware or software.

Usage Examples:

1. The company founders left a legacy of competitive spirit and top marketing strategy that lives on in this
corporation. (heritage, bestowal)

2. Since she had no immediate family, she left a large legacy to her favorite charity. (gift, grant)

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 3. The Greeks left behind a rich cultural legacy of poetry, theater, and philosophy. (heritage, gift, history)

4. It's time the FBI upgrades from its legacy systems to more sophisticated database technology. (old,
outdated)

Menial-(adjective)-Relating to work which is uninteresting and doesn't require much skill or training
Synonyms: humble, lowly, common, servile

Antonyms: interesting, skilled, noble, elevated

Tips & Usage: Menial is usually used to describe domestic chores and has its root in the Latin word mansio,
meaning "house." It also describes the person doing the menial work and can be used as a noun meaning
"servant." You will often hear menial used to describe unskilled work and work that most people don't want to
do.

Usage Examples:

1. I don’t mind doing menial tasks like cleaning the house; I actually find them quite relaxing. (humble,
common)

2. He decided to finish high school and get a college education because he didn’t want to be stuck doing
menial labor for the rest of his life. (lowly, servile)

3. One summer, I was hired by a family to help them with menial chores like washing dishes, doing
laundry, and cleaning the house. (servile, household)

4. I think it's good for kids to do menial labor like cleaning houses and washing dishes for a summer. It
makes them respect school and the value of an education much more. (unskilled, servile)

Obtuse-(adjective)-1. Slow to learn or understand 2. Lacking insight 3. Blunt or rounded, not sharp
Synonyms: dim-witted, dull, dumb, ignorant, stupid, blunt

Antonyms: acute, sharp, keen, intelligent

Tips & Usage: Obtuse is derived from a Latin word that means "dull." In geometry, obtuse refers to an angle
that is greater than 90 degrees, but less than 180 degrees. This is an angle that is not very sharp. Obtuse is the
opposite of acute, which is derived from a Latin word meaning "sharp." Acute is often used to describe
someone who is sharp, keen, and intelligent. Use obtuse as a more sophisticated way of criticizing someone
who is dim-witted or has a "dull" mind. Obtuse is similar in meaning to myopic. See myopic for additional
analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. I thought his project report was obtuse and lacked insight into the client’s industry. (dull, lacking
insight)

2. The young boy was too obtuse to understand the implications of his behavior. (dumb, ignorant)

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 3. I think he knows the answer, but he's being deliberately obtuse because he doesn't want to get involved.
(dim-witted, ignorant)

4. I tried to explain how the program functions, but unfortunately, I think he's too obtuse to ever learn how
to use it. (stupid, dim-witted)

Perceptive-(adjective)-1. Having the ability to understand and notice things that many people do not notice 2.
Relating to perception

Synonyms: understanding, insightful, keen, discerning, intuitive, observant, wise, watchful, aware

Antonyms: imperceptive, dull, obtuse, unaware, unintuitive

Tips & Usage: Being perceptive is a great skill. It means you have a keen eye for picking up on things that
others may not notice. The related noun perception refers to an observation, insight, or point of view.

Usage Examples:

1. She was unusually perceptive for a child and often made remarkably intelligent statements. (insightful,
observant)

2. There was a growing perception that our company wasn’t doing enough to drive sales. Therefore, we
finally hired an ad agency to help us formulate a marketing strategy. (observation, understanding)

3. The insights and observations in his book are perceptive and revealing. (insightful, keen)

4. You have to be very perceptive during a sales presentation and pick up on any little feedback that your
potential customer may be unconsciously giving you. (observant)

Preeminent-(adjective)-Highest in superiority or achievement and standing out above all others

Synonyms: predominant, superior, foremost, leading, distinguished, highest, above, paramount, supreme,
celebrated, eminent, illustrious

Antonyms: inferior, humble, undistinguished

Tips & Usage: Preeminent originates from the Latin word eminere, meaning "to stand out." A preeminent
person in his or her field stands out above all others, usually because of some notable achievement.

Usage Examples:

1. The scientist was the preeminent expert on the sociology of chimpanzees and gave a fascinating lecture
in my anthropology class. (foremost, leading)

2. I chose my stockbroker based on his reputation for being a preeminent financial advisor who has helped
many clients reach financial goals. (superior, leading, celebrated)

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 3. The professor is the preeminent authority on that subject, and you'll learn more about it from him than
anyone else. (highest, leading)

4. It should be interesting to meet him since he is the preeminent authority in child psychology. (highest,
leading)

Prudent-(adjective)-1. Having good sense and judgment 2. Being careful and sensible
Synonyms: careful, cautious, discreet, wise, sagacious, judicious, sensible, practical, discerning, guarded,
mindful, tactful, thrifty, economical, watchful, circumspect

Antonyms: imprudent, foolish

Tips & Usage: Prudent is often used to denote self-restraint in speech or behavior, as in "she maintained a
prudent silence." Prudent is synonymous with discreet and judicious. Prudent is best used to describe someone
who is wise, and also conservative in making decisions. A prudent decision is one that carefully assesses
potential consequences, while a judicious one is wise and shows sound thinking, with less focus on being
cautious. Discreet usually is more specific and describes someone who is very careful about not offending
people, which would also be considered prudent. The noun prudence refers to caution, discretion, or sound
judgment.

Usage Examples:

1. He was quite prudent in his spending habits and always had plenty of savings in the bank. (cautious,
sensible)

2. She was always prudent when giving criticism in order to not offend anyone. (guarded, tactful, discreet)

3. Her financial prudence was rewarded with growing investments. (good judgment, sagacity)

4. It is always prudent to have a firm contract in place before accepting a new job. (wise, sensible)

Reprove-(verb)-To censure or criticize someone

Synonyms: blame, admonish, chide, rebuke, censure, criticize, reprimand

Antonyms: praise, applaud, congratulate

Tips & Usage: Reprove has its roots in the Latin term reprobare, meaning "to prove unworthy." If a person or
something a person has done is "unworthy," the person may be reproved. When you reprove someone for
something, you disapprove aloud. The related noun is reproof and denotes a chastisement or reprimand.

Usage Examples:

1. The account executive was reproved for his rude behavior toward the client. (criticized, admonished)

2. I know he made a mistake, but don’t reprove him too harshly. He was only trying to help. (chide,
censure, admonish)

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 3. She was so angry that she knew she had to wait until she had calmed down to reprove him, or her
reprimand would be too harsh. (rebuke, admonish, chide)

4. The reproof stung a little, but the boy never made the same mistake again. (reprimand, chastisement)

Sententious-(adjective)-1. Tending to use too many maxims 2. Given to moralizing 3. Concise, but full of
meaning

Synonyms: pompous, showy, pretentious, bombastic, preachy, pithy, concise, succinct, meaningful, expressive

Antonyms: meaningless, verbose

Tips & Usage: Sententious can be either a critique or a compliment. When used as a critique, it usually refers to
someone who is pretentious in his use of maxims and wise sayings. Or, it can be used to describe someone who
is overly dogmatic. As a compliment, sententious is used to describe someone who is clear and to the point.
Sententious is used more often as a critique.

Usage Examples:

1. Angela’s boss welcomed her sententious comments, which were succinct and to the point. (meaningful,
pithy)

2. He makes all those sententious remarks and uses clichéd maxims just to appear clever and important.
(pompous, showy, pretentious)

3. He thought his speech would come off as intellectual and profound, but I found it to be sententious and
pompous. (showy, pretentious)

4. He is always trying to use some old maxim or wise saying to make his point. Sometimes it's effective,
other times he comes off as sententious. (showy, pretentious)

Synthesis-(noun)-1. The combining of various elements into a unified whole 2. In chemistry, the forming of
chemical compounds through a series of chemical reactions 3. The process of reasoning by deduction from the
general to the specific

Synonyms: creation, combination, formation, mixture, compound, composition, union

Antonyms: separation, destruction

Tips & Usage: Synthesize is derived from the Greek term suntithenai, meaning "to put together." In synthesis,
different elements come together to form a unified whole. The related verb synthesize means "to combine or
integrate."

Usage Examples:

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1. The synthesis of all the information we have gathered should provide us with a definitive theory.
(combination)

2. Please synthesize the data into a concise report. (combine, integrate)

3. The artist's paintings are an interesting synthesis of Abstraction and Impressionism. (union, combination)

4. The synthesis of our various ideas created a truly unique marketing strategy for our client. (mixture, union)

Uncanny-(adjective)-Too strange to seem natural

Synonyms: unusual, odd, eerie, strange, weird, mysterious

Antonyms: normal, natural

Tips & Usage: When learning the meaning of uncanny, think of something "canned" as being very normal and
ordinary. When you add the negative un, meaning "not." to canned, uncanny means "something out of the
ordinary, unusual, almost supernatural." You will often hear someone use the word uncanny to describe two
people who look alike but are not related: "It's unnatural for two people to look so much alike, but not be
related...It's uncanny."

Usage Examples:

1. She has an uncanny ability to predict the weather. She’s certainly better than any meteorologist I’ve
seen. (unusual, eerie)

2. The likeness between the two friends was uncanny−everyone thought they were twins. (odd, eerie)

3. Her uncannily good sense of direction ensures that we'll never get lost. (mysteriously, eerily)

4. They sound exactly the same over the phone; it's uncanny. (eerie, unnatural)

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Section 17 Test

1. I would like to give your firm the business, but I just can’t give my ____________ to this proposal.

2. Her personal belief system included the ____________ "There’s more to life than work."

3. My boss ____________ me for coming in late this morning.

4. His answers to the questions were _____________ and provided no substantive insights of his beliefs.

5. My business plan is ____________ to the one used by my former company. However, mine is more
industry-specific.
6. He was able to save plenty of money for retirement because of the ____________ spending habits he
employed throughout his life.
7. I’m happy to live in such a _____________ society; I find it more interesting and intellectually
stimulating to have contact with people of varying cultures.
8. I appreciated your ____________ observations during the meeting. We’re lucky to have someone as
astute as you on board.
9. That was an interesting thing for him to say. What was the ____________ of the discussion?

10. Certain natural occurrences are ____________ for scientists because they are unexplained.

11. My coworker never has anything positive to say. Frankly, his ____________ complaining is getting on
my nerves.
12. I dreaded going to the party because I knew I would be drawn into ______________ conversation about
topics I knew nothing about.
13. Are you always this _____________, or are you trying to act ill-informed on purpose?

14. The company’s successful growth and hiring of new employees were the _____________ behind our
need for more office space.
15. Our interns are sometimes relegated to ____________ tasks, like organizing the supply room.

16. Our company has been the ______________ parts manufacturer in the industry for over ten years, and
we’re striving to maintain our leadership position.
17. Running the new departments will be a lot of hard work and should prove to be a ____________
challenge.
18. Before you make your decision, think through it carefully; it ___________ you to give this ample
consideration.
19. Her _____________ ability to know what I was going to say, before I said it, was unnerving at times.

20. He was very concerned about his ______________ and how people would remember him when he left.

21. These ideas should be ________________ in a proposal we will present to the client.

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22. It was clear from his nervousness that his speech was ___________________ and unrehearsed.

23. It took me awhile to learn all of the _______________ details of the plan.

24. The scholarship helped to _____________ some of my college expenses.

25. I was happy to earn a promotion and a pay raise, making my salary _______________ with my work
experience.

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Section 17 Test Answers

1. abated
2. beleaguered
3. ancillary
4. demeanor
5. extraneous
6. obdurate
7. preempt
8. merit
9. purported
10. tentative
11. continuity
12. salient
13. ubiquitous
14. perennial
15. ensued
16. forte
17. systematic
18. requisite
19. harness
20. incipient
21. caustic
22. insulate
23. leverage
24. dominion
25. commissioned

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Section 18 Lessons

Abate-(verb)-1. To reduce something 2. To become less or gradually reduce in amount or intensity 3. To put an
end to something

Synonyms: reduce, diminish, lessen, decline, subside, ebb, moderate, decrease, soften, relieve, annul, nullify,
suspend

Antonyms: intensify, increase, enlarge, expand

Tips & Usage: Abate's literal meaning comes from the Old French word abatre, meaning "to beat down." Think
of suppressing or pushing something back by beating it down. You will often hear the word abate used to
describe rain or stormy conditions as the rain or storm begins to let up or stop. You may also hear the word
abate used to describe the quieting or slowing down of any kind of upheaval or political unrest. Finally, you
may see abate used to describe a reduction in taxes or a legal sentencing. The related noun abatement denotes a
reduction, alleviation, or decrease.

Usage Examples:

1. He had a very bad temper, and it was difficult to abate his anger once he was in a bad mood. (diminish,
soften, lessen)

2. The abatement of taxes will be a relief to those families with financial difficulties. (reduction, decrease)

3. The high court ruled to abate the previous verdict and set the man free. (nullify, suspend)

4. As soon as the rain had abated, the kids ran outside to play. (subsided)

Ancillary-(adjective)-1. Describing something that is added, but is not essential 2. Of less importance than
something or someone else 3. Providing support for or assisting someone

Synonyms: additional, supplementary, auxiliary, secondary, subordinate, subsidiary, supportive, extrinsic

Antonyms: primary

Tips & Usage: Ancillary came from the Latin word ancilla, which means "handmaid" and is the feminine form
of the word anculus, which means "manservant." The original meaning of the word was that of a subordinate, or
someone who assists another person in a position or profession. It has also come to mean anything additional
and secondary. Ancillary can also be used as a noun to mean any subordinate part or someone who is in a (non-
technical) support position.

Usage Examples:

1. In addition to our core service offering, there are some ancillary services we can sell to our clients.
(additional, supplementary)

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 2. I think we have a solid case, but there are some ancillary arguments we could make. (additional,
supplementary)

3. We couldn't have completed this project without the ancillary support of our temporary staff. (auxiliary,
secondary)

4. James is only in an ancillary position and probably won't be much help. We should go directly to his
boss. (subordinate, auxiliary)

Beleaguer-(verb)-1. To annoy or harass 2. To surround with an army

Synonyms: torment, annoy, harass, plague, besiege, beset

Antonyms: placate, relieve

Tips & Usage: To beleaguer someone is to severely annoy him. It originates from the Dutch word belegeren,
which literally means "to camp around." Thus, we get the meaning of “surrounding with an army.” Think of
being surrounded by an enemy and how tormenting that would be. Hence the meaning of "annoying or
harassing." The adjective form, beleaguered, means "annoyed or troubled."

Usage Examples:

1. He was beleaguered by worries of losing his job. (tormented, plagued)

2. Our camp was beleaguered by an army of ants in the middle of the night. (besieged, tormented)

3. He was beleaguered by his mean classmates during lunch. (tormented, harassed)

4. In sales, you have to make sure you do not beleaguer your prospects with too many calls or e-mails.
(annoy, harass)

Caustic-(adjective)-1. Very sarcastic or bitter in tone 2. Corroding or eating away by chemical action
Synonyms: sarcastic, bitter, scathing, biting, harsh, virulent, acrimonious, corroding, corrosive

Antonyms: kind, soothing, soft

Tips & Usage: Although caustic is most commonly used as an adjective, it can also be a noun used to denote a
chemical substance that corrodes. Caustic is derived from the Latin term kaiein, meaning "to burn." Think of
harsh words that burn or scathe. For a memory trick, note how caustic sounds like cause sick. Now, imagine
that someone used caustic language to criticize you−the words were so harsh they "caused you to be sick."

Usage Examples:

1. Her caustic comments have caused most of her coworkers to dislike her. (scathing, virulent)

2. The D.A. caustically denounced the company’s corrupt business practices and vowed to punish those
who were responsible. (bitterly, harshly)

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 3. The comedian's caustic jokes made some people laugh, but offended others. (sarcastic, biting)

4. The caustic substance burned a hole right through the metal container. (corrosive)

Commissioned-(verb)-Given official approval to act, or hired for a particular project

Synonyms: appointed, selected, assigned, chosen, elected, designated

Antonyms: fired

Tips & Usage: When someone is commissioned to do something, she is assigned to a task or project.
Commissioned is also used as an adjective to describe the person who has been commissioned. (e.g.
"commissioned artist" or "commissioned officer.") In the military, commissioned refers to holding a rank of
second lieutenant or above, by virtue of commission, or appointment. Commissioned is also the past tense of the
verb commission, meaning "to select or appoint." The related noun commission is a system of payment based
on a percentage of the value of sales or other business done.

Usage Examples:

1. David's mother was very proud when he became a commissioned officer. (appointed, selected)

2. We commissioned an interior decorator to help us furnish our new house. (selected, designated)

3. The city plans to commission an architect to design the new court house. (appoint, select)

4. My stockbroker receives a commission on every stock trade. (percentage payment)

Continuity-(noun)-1. The quality of being consistent and uninterrupted throughout 2. Something that stays
consistent throughout 3. A detailed film script used to ensure consistency throughout

Synonyms: constancy, continuousness, succession, smoothness, flow, unity, consistency, cohesion

Antonyms: break, interruption, inconsistency

Tips & Usage: The word continuity is often used in marketing to denote consistency between broadcast and
print advertising campaigns, as well as other marketing efforts. Continuity ensures that all parts of a campaign,
film, or other venture are unified and cohesive. Continuity is related to the word continue−continuity allows
things to continue and be consistent without interruption. The related adjective congruent means "consistent or
compatible." If two things are congruent, they most likely have continuity.

Usage Examples:

1. The company was unhappy with its ad campaign because it felt that there was no continuity between the
print and broadcast advertising. The two had very different styles. (flow, constancy)

2. Although I have officially resigned, I’m going to stay on until the new manager has been trained and
feels comfortable in the position to ensure continuity of service. (continuousness, constancy)

3. I didn't like the movie because it seemed to jump from one scene to another without any continuity of
the plot. (continuousness, succession)

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 4. There is no continuity in my professor's lectures. He seems to jump from one subject to another without
succession. (succession, smoothness, consistency)

Demeanor-(noun)-A person's outward behavior, manner, or appearance, especially as it reflects on mood or

character

Synonyms: behavior, attitude, conduct, disposition, deportment

Antonyms: temperament

Tips & Usage: Demeanor refers to a person's outward look and behavior. This is different from temperament,
which refers to the part of a person's character that affects his or her general mood and behavior. A person with
a fun and lively temperament usually has a fun and lively demeanor, but sometimes may have an agitated or
unfriendly demeanor.

Usage Examples:

1. His happy and optimistic demeanor put the employees at ease. (attitude, disposition)

2. We guessed that his lack of friends was due to his unfriendly demeanor. (behavior, conduct)

3. You could never guess that he was in a bad mood from his jolly demeanor. (disposition, attitude)

4. I picked the puppy with the calmest demeanor because I figured he would be the easiest to train.
(behavior, disposition)

Dominion-(noun)-1. Somebody's area of power or control 2. Power, authority, or control

Synonyms: power, authority, domination, ownership, control, reign, supremacy, sovereignty, kingdom, domain

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Dominion is derived from the Latin term dominium, meaning "property or right of ownership."
Essentially, dominion refers to power or authority.

Usage Examples:

1. The company is currently under my dominion. However, I’m CEO only in the interim, until a suitable
replacement can be found. (authority, control)

2. My office is my dominion, and I expect everyone to respect my space. (kingdom, domain)

3. The king divided his dominion and gave a portion of his land to each of his sons. (kingdom, domain)

4. I hold dominion over this company, and I'm not about to sell any part of it. (ownership, control)

Ensue-(verb)-1. To follow after something 2. To be a consequence of an earlier event

Synonyms: follow, result, develop, arise, occur

Antonyms: preface, antecede

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Tips & Usage: Something that ensues comes next, following the thing that came before. Ensue is often used as a
more sophisticated way of saying "follow." For example, "The witness said they first had a verbal argument and
then a fight ensued (followed)." The adjective ensuing means "following, resulting, or consequent."

Usage Examples:

1. This news could ensue in a huge increase in the price of our stock. (result)

2. After the jury read the verdict, cheering and shouting ensued in the courtroom. (followed, occurred)

3. Everyone was offended by the attorney’s comments in court, and his ensuing statement to the press
sounded apologetic. (following)

4. I'm not sure what will ensue from his actions, but I'm curious to find out. (develop, arise)

Extraneous-(adjective)-1. Not essential or important 2. Not relevant to the matter at hand 3. Coming from
outside

Synonyms: nonessential, irrelevant, immaterial, incidental, ancillary, external, exterior, foreign, outside

Antonyms: relevant, inherent, germane, pertinent

Tips & Usage: Extraneous refers to something that is beside the point and really has nothing to do with the topic
of conversation or matter at hand. Extra means "outside." Therefore, something extraneous is outside of
importance or relevance.

Usage Examples:

1. That issue was completely extraneous to the debate and really only caused confusion. (irrelevant,
immaterial, unnecessary)

2. Unfortunately, extraneous light in the camera spoiled the photo. (outside, external)

3. Most of the information in your lecture notes seems to be extraneous; you should have just stuck to the
main points. (nonessential, ancillary)

4. I want a succinct summary of the conference with no extraneous information. (unnecessary,

nonessential)

Forte-(noun)-A person's talent or strength

Synonyms: talent, strength, specialty, proficiency, ability, aptitude, skill

Antonyms: incompetence, weakness, inability, inefficiency

Tips & Usage: Forte is derived from the French term fort, meaning "strong." A person's forte is his or her
strength−something at which the person excels. In music vernacular, forte (the "e" pronounced with an "ay"
sound) refers to a note or passage which is to be played loudly, or is an adjective, meaning "loudly." When
using forte to mean strength, talent, or ability, it is correct to either pronounce the "e" or not.

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Usage Examples:

1. Connecting well with clients has always been his forte; that’s what makes him such a great account
executive. (strength, talent)

2. I’m on the creative end of the advertising industry because marketing strategy and client negotiations are
not my forte, but creative design is. (specialty, talent)

3. I'm afraid singing isn't one of my fortes. (talents, skills)

4. Negotiating is not my forte. That's why I hire attorneys to manage my negotiations. (strength, skill)

Harness-(verb)-1. To control and direct something for a purpose 2. To keep something in check 3. To put a
harness (straps) on an animal

Synonyms: tame, control, reign in, subdue, suppress, restrain, yoke, hitch

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: As a noun, a harness is a support for a person's body or straps put on an animal to be attached to
a cart. As a verb, to harness something means "to reign it in" and "control it." For example, "harness your anger
into something positive," or "harnessing the energy from solar power."

Usage Examples:

1. You’ve got to find a way to harness your temper, because you can’t go flying off the handle in meetings
the way you have been. (control, suppress)

2. We harnessed our joint resources to create a truly innovative product. (reigned in)

3. There is much hope among environmentalists that the power of the wind will someday be harnessed to
create an alternative source of energy. (controlled, reigned in)

4. You should harness your excitement for the time being because you don't know the outcome of the
experiment yet. (suppress, restrain)

Incipient-(adjective)-In the beginning of development or formation

Synonyms: nascent, initial, beginning, inchoate, budding

Antonyms: developed, finished

Tips & Usage: Incipient comes from the Latin term incipere, meaning "to undertake or begin." Something
described as incipient is in its beginning stages of development. Incipient is synonymous with nascent. See
further analysis at nascent.

Usage Examples:

1. His ideas were still incipient and vague. He needed to develop them more thoroughly. (initial, inchoate)

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 2. With the economy showing incipient signs of recovery, consumers are regaining their confidence in the
stock market. (initial, beginning)

3. The project is still in its incipient stage, so we can still change the plans if necessary. (beginning,
nascent)

4. Democracy is incipient in the Middle East−give it some time to take hold. (just beginning)

Insulate-(verb)-1. To protect something or prevent the transfer to heat, cold, or sound by surrounding it in
insulating materials 2. To isolate or set apart

Synonyms: cover, protect, cushion, encase, shield, isolate, separate, sequester

Antonyms: expose

Tips & Usage: Insulate is derived from the Latin term insula, meaning "island." Think of the way an island
stands alone in the middle of the ocean. A person who insulates himself tries to be isolated from others or from
something potential harmful. To insulate is essentially to protect from harm or damage. The noun insulation is
the act of protecting something or the state of being protected. Insulation also denotes a material used to prevent
the transmission of heat or electricity.

Usage Examples:

1. He left the country on vacation in order to insulate himself from the negative publicity surrounding the
scandal. (protect, shield)

2. It’s impossible to insulate your children from all the violence and strong language in today’s media.
(shield, protect)

3. The builders used high-tech insulation to prevent the house from becoming too cold in the winter or too
hot in the summer. (covering, protection, encasement)

4. Kate insulated herself from office politics by not socializing with her coworkers and only talking about
business when at work. (separated, shielded)

Leverage-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. A strategic advantage with the power to act effectively−the power to get things
done 2. The mechanical advantage gained by using a lever 3. The borrowing of money for investments (v.)-1.
To provide or supplement with leverage 2. To use leverage for one's advantage 3. To borrow money for
investment

Synonyms: (n.) advantage, effectiveness, power, influence, clout, weight, force, support, pull, (v.) fund, borrow,
benefit, profit, supplement, invest

Antonyms: (n.) disadvantage, hindrance, weakness

Tips & Usage: Think of the way you would use a lever to make a task easier. This is known as leverage. Thus,
leverage refers to anything used to one's advantage to make something easier. In business and finance, when

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you leverage an asset to borrow money, you are doing so to make even more money through investment. So,
you leverage what you already have to gain even more.

Usage Examples:

1. We hired the lobbyists for their reputation of being able to exert great political leverage. (influence,
clout, force)

2. We must leverage our funds to buy the equipment we need so that our business can continue to grow.
(supplement, invest)

3. The great review I received from my client should give me some leverage when I ask for a raise.
(advantage, support)

4. Right now, the client is really happy with our work; let's see if we can leverage this goodwill to create
some new business. (take advantage, use, profit)

Merit-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. An admirable quality or attribute 2. The facts of a case (v.)-1. To be worthy or
deserving of something

Synonyms: (n.) worth, value, advantage, excellence, goodness, virtue, distinction, ability, honor, (v.) warrant,
deserve, earn

Antonyms: (n.) fault

Tips & Usage: Merit is derived from the Latin term meritum, meaning "price, value." If something is merited, it
is warranted or deserving of something.

Usage Examples:

1. Your comments certainly have merit, and I’ll be sure to incorporate them into the report. (value, worth)

2. Our investment portfolio merits our time and attention since it’s so important to our future. (warrants,
deserves)

3. There is no merit to this lawsuit, and I'm sure the judge will throw it out. (worth, virtue)

4. My doctor touted the merits of taking a daily multi-vitamin. (advantages, values)

Obdurate-(adjective)-1. Not easily influenced by others−stubborn 2. Resistant to emotion−hardhearted

Synonyms: stubborn, unyielding, firm, inflexible, rigid, obstinate, hard-hearted, unemotional, stoic, callous,
headstrong, unfeeling

Antonyms: submissive, relenting, compassionate, emotional, tender, sympathetic

Tips & Usage: Obdurate is derived from the Latin term obdurare, meaning "to be hard." Someone who is
described as obdurate can be hard-headed, hard-hearted, or both. Obdurate is synonymous with obstinate.

Usage Examples:

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 1. He was obdurate in his demands, and there was nothing I could do to change his mind. (unyielding,
inflexible)

2. He strongly believed in the new policy and took an obdurate stance in its support. (firm, rigid, hard-
headed)

3. The President remains obdurate about his tax cuts and will not consider any recommendation that rolls
the tax cuts back. (firm, rigid, stubborn)

4. It takes an obdurate person to lay off employees without any consideration of their feelings and well-
being. (cold-hearted, callous)

Perennial-(adjective)-1. Lasting for an indefinite amount of time 2. Recurring again and again 3. In botany,
lasting for several years, and blooming again and again

Synonyms: eternal, enduring, constant, repeating, recurrent, durable, long-lasting

Antonyms: short-lived, temporary, fleeting, annual

Tips & Usage: A plant that produces flowers year after year is referred to as a perennial. Thus, something
described as perennial occurs again and again and is enduring.

Usage Examples:

1. We seem to have a perennial problem when it comes to having enough money set aside for Christmas
presents. (recurrent, constant)

2. His perennial happiness made everyone around him a bit more cheery and optimistic. (enduring,
constant)

3. I'm planning on planting some perennial plants in my garden so I can enjoy their flowers year after year.
(recurrent, long-lasting, seasonal)

4. The Grinch is a perennial favorite among plays during the Christmas season. (recurrent, enduring)

Preempt-(verb)-1. To prevent someone from doing something by doing it first, or by doing something else that
would make it impossible or unnecessary for the other person to do what he intended 2. To take the place of
something less important

Synonyms: usurp, seize, occupy, stake claim, forestall, prevent, hinder, replace, substitute

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The adjective preemptive refers to something designed to deter or prevent an anticipated
situation. Preemptive is a term that's often used in business, especially marketing, when companies preempt
another company's marketing efforts by "getting there first." Preempt is also used when TV stations preempt
(replace) regular programming with something special or more important.

Usage Examples:

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 1. The retailer saturated the market with new stores in an effort to preempt its competitor from moving into
the territory. (prevent, forestall)

2. In a preemptive strike against negative media attention, the actor’s publicist released a statement to the
press. (preventative)

3. The station preempted my favorite TV show with a speech from the President. (replaced, substituted)

4. The Federal Reserve will often raise interest rates in an attempt to preempt inflation. (forestall, prevent)

Purported-(adjective)-Claimed or supposed, but not proven

Synonyms: alleged, supposed, professed, reputed, claimed, implied

Antonyms: proven

Tips & Usage: Purported is synonymous with alleged. If something is purported, it is believed to be true, but not
yet verified. Usually, there is doubt as to the veracity or truthfulness of what is purported or believed to be true.
If something is alleged, it is usually an activity that is believed to have taken place, but has not yet been proven.
Alleged is often used to describe criminal activities: "He allegedly robbed the bank, but it is still under
investigation." The difference between the two words is very subtle. The verb purport means "to claim, imply,
or indicate."

Usage Examples:

1. The candidate was so nervous during his interview that his purported knowledge and intelligence were
not adequately displayed. (alleged, reputed)

2. Journalists purport to be objective, but many of them are biased. (claim, profess)

3. The study purports to reveal why some people have a harder time losing weight than others, but the
claims are rather weak. (professes, claims)

4. The plan was purported to be foolproof, but we found out otherwise. (alleged, professed)

Requisite-(adjective, noun)-(adj.)-1. Necessary and indispensable (n.)-1. Something that is essential

Synonyms: (adj.) essential, necessary, indispensable, required, compulsory, (n.) requirement

Antonyms: (adj.) unnecessary, dispensable, nonessential, elective

Tips & Usage: Requisite is related to the word require and essentially describes something that is necessary or
required. Requisite can also be a noun referring to the requirement itself. One often hears the term prerequisite
in the education world, as in "Algebra 101 is a prerequisite for Calculus." A prerequisite is something required
or necessary prior (pre=before) to something else.

Usage Examples:

1. There are some requisite skills that are needed for this job. (essential, required)

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 2. Money is not a requisite for happiness, but it certainly helps. (requirement)

3. The investors have asked to see our financial statements as a prerequisite for the consideration of
funding our company. (prior requirement)

4. I was afraid I wouldn't finish all the requisite, preliminary work needed before our meeting with the new
client. (essential, indispensable)

Salient-(adjective)-1. Notable, relevant, and most important 2. Having a quality that calls attention to itself 3.
Projecting out of something at an angle

Synonyms: important, notable, remarkable, noticeable, conspicuous, striking, protruding, pronounced,

prominent

Antonyms: unremarkable, uninteresting, inconspicuous, unobtrusive

Tips & Usage: Salient comes from the Latin term salire, meaning "to jump." Picture a girl named Sallie jumping
out of a cake. This is a notable and remarkable event. Now, picture how Sallie protrudes out of that cake. This
picture encompasses both meanings of the word salient−remarkable/protruding. In business, you may say: "I
only want to focus on the most salient (important, noteworthy, remarkable) points." Salient can also be a noun
denoting an angle or part that protrudes. The related noun salience means "prominence or visibility" and is often
used in advertising and marketing discussions.

Usage Examples:

1. Good advertising can make a brand more salient in the minds of consumers. (notable, pronounced)

2. Consumer food companies try to achieve salience through convenient product placement in
supermarkets. (prominence, visibility)

3. Please do me a favor, and write up a summary of the most salient points made in the presentation.
(relevant, most important)

4. His comments were salient to me, and I really took them to heart. (important, notable)

Systematically-(adverb)-Done in a consistent and systematic manner

Synonyms: orderly, methodically, consistently

Antonyms: randomly

Tips & Usage: When something is done systematically, there is a system (method, order, plan) to it. Systematic
describes anything organized and logical, rather than disorganized and chaotic.

Usage Examples:

1. After being systematically passed up for a promotion three years in a row, Mike finally quit his job.
(consistently)

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 2. We’ll have to systematically go through our old invoices to find the billing discrepancy. (orderly,
methodically)

3. They conducted a systematic investigation to uncover the truth. (organized, methodical)

4. Fortunately, the city agency has become more systematic in the way it processes forms. Therefore, it
provides you with a much faster response. (organized, consistent)

Ubiquitous-(adjective)-Being, or seeming to be, everywhere at once

Synonyms: universal, omnipresent, everywhere, allover, common, prevalent, widespread

Antonyms: uncommon, rare, scarce

Tips & Usage: The Latin word ubique means "everywhere." Something that is described as ubiquitous seems to
be all over the place and very common. Ubiquitous is more than prevalent (which means "to be common in an
area"). Ubiquitous is "everywhere, universal."

Usage Examples:

1. Mobile phones have become so ubiquitous that it’s surprising when somebody doesn’t have one.
(common, universal)

2. We often take things that are ubiquitous for granted, until they disappear. (everywhere, allover,
prevalent)

3. Advertising has become so ubiquitous that you can’t walk down a street without seeing an ad.
(prevalent, common)

4. If you travel around the world, you quickly find that English is becoming more and more
ubiquitous−everyone seems to speak at least a little English. (prevalent, common)

Tentative-(adjective)-1. Unsure, hesitant, or showing a lack of confidence 2. Not finalized, not fully worked
out

Synonyms: doubtful, uncertain, hesitant, provisional, conditional, probationary, indefinite

Antonyms: definite, final, permanent

Tips & Usage: Tentative has its roots in the Latin term temptare, meaning "to feel or try." When you're "feeling
something out" and are unsure about it, you are tentative about the decision. Likewise, if an idea or plan is
tentative, it hasn't been fully worked out and is still temporary. The adverb tentatively is often used to describe a
scheduled meeting that is not 100% certain to occur: "We are tentatively scheduled to meet at 3:00 pm, but I'm
still waiting for confirmation."

Usage Examples:

1. The two companies signed a tentative agreement until further details of the arrangement could be
worked out. (provisional, conditional)

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2. She was tentative about accepting the job offer because it meant having to move to a different city.
(uncertain, hesitant)

3. The two friends made tentative plans to have dinner on Friday night because they weren't sure what time
they would get off work. (indefinite)

4. I've made a tentative choice, but I'm still looking at my options. (uncertain, indefinite, provisional)

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Section 18 Test

1. The storm _______________ overnight, and we woke to clearing skies.

2. Our company has been ________________ by an IRS audit.

3. In addition to our core service offering, we are now offering some ____________ solutions for our
clients.
4. He had a very calm and collective ______________ that put people at ease when they were around him.

5. I was having some _______________ thoughts during the discussion, and unfortunately I missed some
of the key points.
6. The negotiations came to a halt when both sides took an ______________ stance and refused to
compromise further.
7. We’re going to have to launch our product sooner than originally planned if we want to __________ the
competition from gaining market share.
8. The investors felt that the business plan had ___________ and agreed to fund the company.

9. He is ____________ to be the preeminent expert in this field. However, so far, I haven’t heard him say
anything of value to this discussion.
10. This is just a ____________ schedule; the final one will be available by day’s end.

11. The business plan was written by several people and lacked ____________ between sections.

12. We are going to need to wrap up, so let's just focus on our most ____________ issues.

13. Mobile phones have become so ___________ that every single one of my friends owns one.

14. You just can’t avoid taxes; it’s one of the _______________ evils of life.

15. The slowing economy has ___________ in thousands of layoffs.

16. I think my interview went well because I was able to demonstrate my ___________ for strategic
thinking.
17. He had a very ________________ approach to packing that ensured he never forgot anything when he
traveled.
18. We don’t have time to train an inexperienced employee. We have to hire someone with the
______________ skills needed in this position.
19. We need to find a way to _____________ all of the energy and creative thinking of our young
managers.
20. Our proposal is still in its ___________ stage and will require much more work before we can present it
to the client.
21. She has difficulty getting along with coworkers and frequently directs __________ comments at them.

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22. Although I’ve tried to ___________ myself from inter-office gossip, sometimes it’s impossible to avoid
hearing rumors.
23. Mike has a friendly relationship with the company president and tries to _____________ this alliance to
his advantage.
24. My husband is a great chef, and the kitchen has always been his ________________.

25. My boss was __________________ to give the annual year-end summary to the board.

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Section 18 Test Answers
1. demographics
2. abrasive
3. continuum
4. fortitude
5. circumventing
6. incorporate
7. cavalier
8. holistic
9. acumen
10. levity
11. personas
12. enumerating
13. anecdotal
14. simulate
15. unilaterally
16. insurgency
17. ominous
18. tacit
19. diligence
20. resolute
21. perfunctory
22. extrapolating
23. qualitative
24. meticulous
25. compartmentalize

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Section 19 Lessons

Abrasive-(adjective)-1. Harsh and disagreeable in manner 2. Harsh and aggressive in action

Synonyms: disagreeable, aggressive, harsh, sharp, rigorous, grating, offensive, irritating, rough, coarse

Antonyms: soft, pleasant

Tips & Usage: The word abrasive can also be used as a noun referring to a substance used to polish surfaces,
like a household cleaner. Therefore, the adjective form of abrasive describes something or someone harsh,
grating, or aggressive, whether in composition or temperament. The related word abrasion is a noun and refers
to skin that has been torn or worn off due to injury.

Usage Examples:

1. He has an abrasive personality that offends most people he meets. (disagreeable, aggressive)

2. I think you'll need an abrasive to clean that stain from the sink. (harsh cleanser)

3. The reporter offended the politician with the abrasive manner in which she asked her questions.
(offensive, sharp, aggressive)

4. The businessman's publicist asked him to soften his voice so he would appear less abrasive. (rough,
aggressive)

Acumen-(noun)-1. Experience or expertise in something 2. The ability to make good judgments−keen insight
Synonyms: insight, shrewdness, discernment, sagacity, intelligence, keenness, acuity

Antonyms: obtuseness, slowness, denseness

Tips & Usage: Acumen comes from the Latin word acuere, meaning "to sharpen." When you have good
acumen−in business, for example−you have a sharp and keen intellect, especially in a specific field or subject
matter. Acumen is often used as a more sophisticated way of saying "skills or expertise." For example,
financial acumen, political acumen, and marketing acumen. The synonym acuity can be also be used to denote
sharp intellect, but is often used in reference to "sharpness of vision," or keen insight.

Usage Examples:

1. There will be a good deal of number crunching on this project, and we’ll need someone with great
financial acumen. (intelligence, skills, expertise)

2. His international marketing acumen comes from several years of working for an ad agency and doing
product marketing for large, multi-national companies. (sagacity, insight, keenness)

3. She may be young and inexperienced, but she shows great acumen in practical matters Therefore, I think
she'll be a fast learner. (shrewdness, discernment)

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 4. Her legal acumen will be of great value if she wins the Senatorial campaign. (insight, intelligence)

Anecdotal-(adjective)-1. Based on second-hand accounts or stories, rather than firsthand knowledge 2.

Relating to anecdotes

Synonyms: illustrative, descriptive, characterizing, interpretive

Antonyms: firsthand

Tips & Usage: An anecdote is a story or short account of a happening. It's often used to draw a correlation
between similar situations. Something anecdotal, such as "anecdotal evidence," is story-like evidence told from
a few sources, rather than gathered through comprehensive research. You will often hear anecdotal research
referred to in contrast to comprehensive and quantitative research.

Usage Examples:

1. Right now, the anecdotal evidence from interviews with consumers demonstrates that consumers are
regaining confidence in the economy, but it will be another month before the economic data comes in to
confirm this. (illustrative, interpretive)

2. He told us a couple amusing anecdotes about his trip to France and how he was treated as an American
tourist. (short stories)

3. All we have to work on at the moment is anecdotal feedback from a few customers. (interpretive,
secondhand)

4. She had some funny anecdotes about her experiences in a college sorority. (stories)

Cavalier-(adjective)-Showing careless disregard and disrespect for something or somebody

Synonyms: careless, nonchalant, blasé, flippant, negligent, arrogant, haughty, cocky, inconsiderate, disdainful

Antonyms: considerate, careful, respectful, regardful, humble

Tips & Usage: Cavalier is usually used to describe someone who makes decisions without considering the risk
or negative consequences of the decision, usually in a very arrogant way. It is also used as a noun referring to a
knight or a gallant and chivalrous gentleman. However, this meaning is no longer used in modern English.

Usage Examples:

1. The executive team’s cavalier approach to spending quickly dried up the company’s cash reserve.
(careless, negligent)

2. She was a great CEO who maintained a balance between being overly conservative and overly cavalier
in her acquisition of new companies. (arrogant, cocky, careless)

3. Mark's cavalier attitude has made him very unpopular around the office. (arrogant, inconsiderate,
negligent)

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 4. I decided I couldn't work with him because I thought he was too cavalier and wasn't prudent enough in
his decision making. (arrogant, negligent, careless)

Circumvent-(verb)-1. to go around something in order to avoid it 2. to outwit someone through cleverness

Synonyms: evade, avoid, sidestep, bypass, circumnavigate, outwit

Antonyms: conform, cooperate

Tips & Usage: Circumvent is derived from the Latin term circumvenire, meaning "to come around." When you
avoid or elude something, such as a legal restriction, by finding a way to get around it, you circumvent it.

Usage Examples:

1. They want us to complete hundreds of forms in order to bid on this project; is there any way we can
circumvent some of this work? (avoid, bypass)

2. I was completely flabbergasted when my assistant circumvented my authority and went straight to upper
management to request a vacation. (bypassed, circumnavigated)

3. Jean applied for a business license in another state to circumvent her state's high taxes. (avoid, evade)

4. The thieves circumvented the alarm system using sophisticated technology. (outwitted)

Compartmentalize-(verb)-To separate or organize into categories or compartments

Synonyms: separate, organize, partition, isolate, assign

Antonyms: bundle, unify

Tips & Usage: A compartment is a small space or section used to hold separate things. To compartmentalize is
to put things into isolated sections or categories. You can compartmentalize physical objects, or you can
compartmentalize thoughts or ideas. Either way, it's a form or organizing.

Usage Examples:

1. Good leaders are able to review several critical issues and compartmentalize each one without being
overwhelmed or distracted. (separate, organize)

2. I know you have a lot on your plate, so you should compartmentalize each project and derive a
systematic approach to completing each one. (separate, isolate)

3. Sometimes it's unhealthy to compartmentalize your life too much. (organize)

4. By living in New Jersey and working in New York City, his life was carefully compartmentalized, with
his work in one city and his family life in another. (separated, organized)

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Continuum-(noun)-A continuous series of things that blend into one another seamlessly so that it's impossible
to tell where one ends and the next begins

Synonyms: continuation, perpetuity, range, gamut

Antonyms: separation, distinction

Tips & Usage: A continuum is a continuous whole, though it is made up of separate parts. A continuum is
something that changes gradually and has no clear dividing points or lines, although its extremes are quite
different. Think of the way the colors in a rainbow continue, or blend, into one another, forming a continuum of
color. Continuum can also be used to describe a series or range of things in one line or category. Think,
continue or continuous.

Usage Examples:

1. Although we mark points in our life with birthdays and holidays, the progression of life is a continuum,
with days, months, and years blending into one another far too quickly. (continuation, perpetuity)

2. One's education doesn't end with graduation−it's a lifelong continuum. (continuation, perpetuity)

3. With the endless continuum of personal computers to choose from, you should have little problem
finding a computer that fits your needs. (range, gamut)

4. The continuum of colors in a rainbow can sometimes be so blurred that it's impossible to tell one color
from the next. (range, continuation)

Demographic-(noun, adjective)-(n.)-1. A statistic, like sex, age, or income, that characterizes human
populations (adj.)-1. Relating to demography

Synonyms: (n.) characteristic, statistic (with regard to population), group

Antonyms: psychographic

Tips & Usage: Demographics are used in censuses and surveys to characterize groups of the human population.
Demographics are factual statistics, unlike psychographics, which are behavioral statistics.

Usage Examples:

1. Our target demographic for this product is active females between the ages of 17 and 25. (characteristic,
group)

2. The geographic segment is the Southern United States, and the demographic segment is farmers between
the ages of 35 and 60. (statistic, characteristic)

3. Current demographic trends seem to indicate that the baby boomers will create a huge financial burden
on our economy when they begin collecting entitlements like Social Security and Medicare. (statistical)

4. We are seeing major demographic changes as more people from around the world immigrate into the
U.S. (statistical, characteristic)

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Diligence-(noun)-1. Conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task and being very thorough 2. Hard
and persistent effort when doing a task

Synonyms: industriousness, thoroughness, conscientiousness, application

Antonyms: carelessness, neglect

Tips & Usage: Diligence is a characteristic that you would like to see in an employee. The term due-diligence is
used to describe thorough research and planning for a deal or a case. Diligent is a related adjective that means
"hardworking, industrious, and thorough."

Usage Examples:

1. Larry's care and diligence won him many promotions and the respect of his boss. (industriousness,
thoroughness)

2. It is important for us to do our due-diligence on this project; we can’t overlook anything or make any
mistakes. (thorough research, application)

3. He made a diligent effort to improve his grades. (hardworking)

4. I admire Stacy's diligence and careful research on this project. (thoroughness, industriousness)

Enumerate-(verb)-1. To individually list things one by one 2. To count the number of things in something
Synonyms: specify, list, recite, recount, count, itemize, number, tally

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Enumerate has its roots in the Latin word for “number.” When you enumerate points or details,
you recount them in a list.

Usage Examples:

1. The mechanic enumerated the list of things that were wrong with the car. (listed, cited)

2. After her boss enumerated the number of times she had been late for work that month, he warned her
that next time she would be fired. (recounted, tallied)

3. I took careful notes during his presentation. If you like, I can enumerate all of the key points he made.
(list, recount)

4. He enumerated the many benefits of investing in the company 401K plan. (listed, recited)

Extrapolate-(verb)-To draw knowledge or conclusions about something unknown by using known facts
Synonyms: infer, derive, generalize, project

Antonyms:

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Tips & Usage: Extrapolate is also a mathematical term meaning "to estimate a value that falls outside the
known range or values." Extrapolate is often used in statistical analysis. In business or general discussions, you
can use the word extrapolate as a way of saying "anticipate or project" future trends based on current
experiences.

Usage Examples:

1. Surveys and polls extrapolate information from a small sampling of people in order to make
assumptions about the general population. (derive, draw on)

2. Unfortunately, we cannot extrapolate this anecdotal evidence to predict market trends. (generalize,
project)

3. From the story he just told, we can extrapolate that he was the hero of the day. (infer)

4. Unfortunately, with only a few people giving us input, we will not be able to accurately extrapolate
future trends. (predict, project)

Fortitude-(noun)-Strength, courage, and determination during difficult circumstances

Synonyms: firmness, determination, resolve, strength, courage, valor, mettle, moxie

Antonyms: weakness, cowardice, despair, pusillanimity

Tips & Usage: Fortitude comes from the Latin word fortis, meaning "strong." Someone who faces challenges
with fortitude does so with strength and determination to overcome his difficulties. Note the prefix fort. Think
of putting up a fort around any weakness or despair and containing those feelings−that would be showing
fortitude (strength, courage). The common slang saying, "That person has guts," refers to intestinal fortitude,
which is another common way to speak about fortitude. However, the most frequent use of fortitude is to
describe someone who "lacks fortitude (resolve)."

Usage Examples:

1. The investors sold their stocks in the face of massive declines because they lacked the fortitude to stay
the course. (firmness, resolve)

2. When you start a business, it is inevitable that something will go wrong. Therefore, you need to make
sure you have the fortitude to follow your dreams and make the business a reality. (courage, moxie)

3. Lacking the fortitude to stand up for himself, Max was often the victim of his boss's disrespectful
remarks. (strength, mettle)

4. The fact that he is running for the Presidency again, after having lost four times, is proof of his intestinal
fortitude. (strength, resolve, determination)

Holistic-(adjective)-Relating to the entirety of something

Synonyms: complete, organic, entire, whole, total

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Antonyms: partial, incomplete

Tips & Usage: In medical treatment, the word holistic refers to treating the whole person, including mind, body,
and spirit, on the physical, mental, and emotional level, rather than just the physical symptoms. Think, "whole."

Usage Examples:

1. We need a holistic solution that considers all aspects and facets of our organization. (complete, entire)

2. This is truly a holistic strategy that will benefit every product and service we offer. (complete, total)

3. I've been seeing a holistic health practitioner who has suggested weekly massage therapy and herbal
treatments for my chronic stomach pain. (whole, complete)

4. I like to approach problems from a holistic level, rather than focusing on only one part of the picture.
(complete, total)

Incorporate-(verb)-1. To unite or merge one thing with another 2. To form a corporation

Synonyms: merge, combine, consolidate, integrate, include

Antonyms: disjoin, break apart, separate

Tips & Usage: The word incorporate stems from the Latin word corpus, meaning "body." When two or more
things are incorporated, they are combined into a single body. Incorporation (noun) can involve the forming of a
brand new body or organization, or it can involve uniting or merging something with something else that is
already formed or established.

Usage Examples:

1. She felt that his suggestions were very helpful and incorporated them into her presentation. (included,
integrated)

2. Although we are currently a small business, I think that we should incorporate to allow for the growth of
our company. (form a corporation, organize)

3. The company wants to incorporate its various advertising strategies into one, cohesive marketing
campaign. (merge, combine)

4. I think that is a great idea, and I plan to incorporate it into my recommendation to the board. (include,
merge)

Insurgency-(noun)-An organized rebellion aimed at overthrowing a government, organization, or leadership

Synonyms: rebellion, revolt, uprising

Antonyms: cooperation

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Tips & Usage: An insurgency essentially aims to take power away from those in control. One often hears this
term on the news during times of war. An insurgent is a rebel, someone involved in the insurgency.

Usage Examples:

1. Many businesses are afraid to invest in the country while the rebel insurgency is underway. (rebellion,
uprising)

2. An employee insurgency aimed at ousting executive management erupted when the management
announced another pay freeze. (revolt, uprising)

3. The guards were finally able to contain the insurgency among prisoners after several hours of fighting.
(revolt, uprising)

4. The government is growing increasingly concerned about the escalating insurgency in that country.
(revolt, uprising)

Levity-(noun)-1. An inappropriate lack of seriousness 2. Lightness of manner

Synonyms: lightness, silliness, giddiness, frivolity, foolishness, flippancy, cheerfulness, humor

Antonyms: seriousness, gravity

Tips & Usage: Levity originates from the Latin word levis, meaning "light." It has almost conflicting definitions
and uses. In one aspect, it’s an inappropriate lack of seriousness. In the other aspect, it is good-humored
cheerfulness. Levity is the opposite of gravity. Please see gravity for further analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. The levity in which he discussed the serious topic offended many people. (lightness, flippancy)

2. Tim’s jokes provided the only levity in an otherwise dull and boring night. (cheerfulness, humor,
lightness)

3. Though the memorial service was a solemn occasion−some of the speakers provided levity with a few
good-natured jokes. (humor, cheer)

4. The funny anecdote he told at his father's funeral provided a brief moment of levity amid the sadness of
the day. (humor, cheer)

Meticulous-(adjective)-Marked by precision and careful attention to detail

Synonyms: thorough, careful, painstaking, exact, precise, flawless, particular, detailed, picky

Antonyms: inaccurate, careless

Tips & Usage: Meticulous is derived from the Latin term meticulous, meaning "fearful." It could be that
meticulous came to have its meaning of "careful and detailed" from "fear of making a mistake." Someone who
is meticulous is extremely careful and picky in attention to detail. Likewise, something meticulous is perfect.

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Usage Examples:

1. I have him proofread all of my work because he is a meticulous editor who catches every spelling or
punctuation error. (thorough, careful)

2. He painted a meticulous portrait of the actress that captured her unique facial features. (precise, detailed)

3. The many hours of meticulous planning paid off, and the event was a complete success. (painstaking,
careful)

4. She has a "Type A" personality and meticulously fusses over every detail before throwing a party.
(painstakingly, carefully, thoroughly)

Ominous-(adjective)-Foreshadowing or suggesting that something bad is going to happen in the future

Synonyms: foreboding, foretelling, forbidding, portentous, warning, threatening, dire, gloomy

Antonyms: lucky, auspicious, favorable, promising, beneficial

Tips & Usage: Ominous is related to the word omen, which is a sign of things to come. Omens can be lucky or
unlucky, but ominous is always used in reference to evil or danger. It is often used in the phrase "ominous
sign." For a memory trick, note how ominous sounds like oh my God, a noose. Now consider how ominous an
empty noose would look to an arrested criminal in the Old Wild West (they used to hang people for stealing
horses). A person might say "oh my God, a noose" at the ominous site of an empty noose.

Usage Examples:

1. We could tell, by the ominous clouds on the horizon that a big storm was coming. (forbidding,
threatening)

2. The empty malls and shopping centers were an ominous sign that the economy was in a recession. (dire,
portentous)

3. An ominous silence fell upon the room just before the bad news was announced. (foreboding, gloomy)

4. The leak in our roof was an ominous sign that expensive repairs would have to be made. (foretelling,
warning)

Perfunctory-(adjective)-1. Done as a matter of routine or custom 2. Done superficially and in haste

Synonyms: careless, cursory, superficial, passing, automatic, standard, indifferent, offhand, casual, halfhearted,
apathetic

Antonyms: diligent, precise, sincere, genial

Tips & Usage: Perfunctory is derived from a Latin word that means "to get through something or complete an
action." Perfunctory is often used to describe actions that are done routinely, usually as a matter of custom or
tradition. For example, in many countries, when people greet each other, they kiss on the cheek. In the US, this
is considered a big deal and would be done with only select family and friends. In many European countries, a

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kiss is often perfunctory and done with little thought or special notice between people who have just met.
Perfunctory can also be used to describe someone performing a task with little thought or consideration. This is
more from the Latin origin of "getting through something" with minimal effort. Perfunctory is a good critique of
someone who simply did the bare minimum to complete a task.

Usage Examples:

1. You could tell by the perfunctory manner in which he performed his job that he was ready to move on to
something new. (careless, indifferent)

2. I was offended by his perfunctory approach to my annual review; I take those reviews very seriously and
he clearly did not. (passing, cursory, indifferent)

3. Because Gene was a young man, his doctor performed only a perfunctory examination of his heart and
missed the signs of developing heart disease. (passing, automatic, standard)

4. It was very evident that the thank-you note was only a perfunctory gesture, not a sincere one.
(superficial, halfhearted)

Persona-(noun)-1. The facade or personality that a person presents to the world 2. the role or character
portrayed by an actor

Synonyms: personality, character, guise

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The word persona has the same origin as the words person and personality. The persona is what
a person wants the world to see, not necessarily what is truly on the inside. When we assume a persona, we are,
in many ways, acting a part.

Usage Examples:

1. When he heard the bad news, his whole persona changed from one of happiness and laughter to deep
sadness. (personality)

2. I’ll admit that I have two completely different personas: one at work and another at home. (personalities,
characters)

3. Her private, shy side is completely at odds with her outgoing, public persona. (guise, personality)

4. Unfortunately, with politicians, you never really know if their public persona represents their true
character. (personality, guise)

Qualitative-(adjective)-Relating to the quality, nature, or characteristics of something, as opposed to size or

quantity

Synonyms:

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Antonyms: quantitative

Tips & Usage: Something described as quantitative is something that is measurable in quantity and is usually a
more objective guideline than a qualitative measurement, which is based on subjective characteristics and
qualities.

Usage Examples:

1. Quantitative analysis is based on measurable criteria and is usually more objective than qualitative
analysis. (based on character or quality)

2. Quantitative questionnaires have definitive answers like "a," "b," or "c," while qualitative questionnaires
allow for open-ended answers. (based on character or quality)

3. I believe that when you're hiring a person, you should look beyond quantitative measurements like GPA
and years of experience. You should consider qualitative attributes like personality and leadership skills.
(based on character or quality)

4. We will need to do some qualitative research in order to identify our needs for a more quantitative study.
(based on character)

Resolute-(adjective)-Firm in belief or purpose, and characterized by determination

Synonyms: determined, purposeful, immutable, unhesitating, unshakeable, firm, unwavering, intent, decisive

Antonyms: infirm, flexible, lenient

Tips & Usage: Resolute is related to the words resolve and resolution. When you resolve to do something, you
make a firm decision to do it. Likewise, a resolution is a firm decision or determination to do something. So,
someone who is resolute in his or her decision is firm and determined to stand by it.

Usage Examples:

1. Many people felt the President failed to lead with conviction and was not resolute in making decisions.
(purposeful, firm)

2. Make no mistake about it, our new CEO is resolute in his determination to turn this company around.
(determined, unwavering)

3. Kate's resolute refusal to apologize to her brother put a huge rift in their relationship. (immutable, firm)

4. Her resolution to exercise more was difficult at first, but she soon found herself looking forward to her
workouts. (determination, firm decision)

Simulate-(verb)-1. To reproduce or create a model of something 2. To mimic looks or behavior 3. To pretend

Synonyms: imitate, copy, model, represent, duplicate, mimic, recreate, pretend, fake, feign

Antonyms:

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Tips & Usage: Simulate has its origins in the Latin word similis, meaning "like." This is also the origin of the
word similar. When something is simulated, an attempt is made to create a model or imitation of the thing being
represented in the simulation. With the onset of new media, we will see a lot more simulation of reality. For
human behavior, the word pretend is a better choice than simulate. Simulate is most often used in technical
situations.

Usage Examples:

1. The pilot simulated a maneuver he had learned in flight school the week before. (imitated, recreated)

2. There are several flight simulator games that simulate the experience of flying. (mimic, recreate)

3. The theme casinos in Las Vegas try to simulate the experience of everything from being in New York to
attending the Mardi-Gras celebration. (duplicate, mimic, represent)

4. The test was meant to simulate the experience of driving under the influence of alcohol. (duplicate,
imitate, model)

Tacit-(adjective)-Implied, but not openly expressed

Synonyms: implied, unspoken, assumed, understood, implicit

Antonyms: expressed, spoken, explicit

Tips & Usage: Tacit originates from the Latin word tacere, meaning "to be silent." A tacit understanding or
agreement is an unspoken one. The related adjective taciturn also refers to silence and means "reserved" or
"uncommunicative."

Usage Examples:

1. Because the two men trusted each other implicitly, they felt they didn’t need an official contract and
instead had a tacit agreement on the deal. (unspoken, understood)

2. The city regulators gave us tacit approval to move forward on the project. An official approval will
ensue. (assumed, implied)

3. There was a tacit understanding that our office would be closed between Christmas and New Year's.
(implied, unspoken, assumed)

4. Jake was rather taciturn by nature, so we were all surprised when he made a toast at the party. (silent,
uncommunicative, reserved)

Unilateral-(adjective)-1. Involving or decided by only one group or country 2. Tracing the lineage of only one
parent

Synonyms: independent, one-sided

Antonyms: bilateral, multi-lateral

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Tips & Usage: In foreign politics, the word unilateral is often used to describe a country that proceeds with an
action on its own, without consulting with other nations. Unilateral can also be used in business to describe a
person or group that acts independently.

Usage Examples:

1. That country's forces operated unilaterally, without the help of armed forces from other nations.
(independently)

2. You can’t make unilateral decisions without consulting the group. (one-sided, independent)

3. The CEO made a unilateral decision, without the approval of the board of directors. (independent, one-
sided)

4. We often make unilateral decisions without consulting our parent company because it takes too long to
respond to our questions. (independent)

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Section 19 Test

1. Each part of the country has a slightly unique set of characteristics and population ______________ .

2. I don’t think you realize it, but you can be awfully curt and _______________ toward people.

3. It seems like there is a never-ending _____________ of mobile phones with different features and
functionality.
4. Unfortunately, I think he lacks the _____________ to run this company.

5. Several countries have developed unique schemes for importing goods to America while
________________ tariffs and other import fees.
6. He had some great ideas and recommendations that we should _________________ into our proposal.

7. He made several unfortunate decisions because of his ____________ approach to management.

8. He recommended a _____________ strategy that took into account the needs of each department.

9. With all of the changes in the tax code we will need an accountant with strong tax _____________.

10. The ______________ of his statements was inconsistent with the serious topic he was discussing.

11. In an attempt to be friends with everyone in the room, Michelle put on several different ____________.

12. You have made several recommendations in this meeting; would you mind _____________ each of your
recommendations again?
13. We need to know quantitatively what the market really thinks about our new car. Right now all we have
to rely on is ____________ evidence based on short descriptions from people who have taken the car for
a test drive.
14. Real estate developers are creating computer programs that _____________ a tour of a house that hasn’t
even been built.
15. Our office in Los Angeles is an autonomous division that operates ____________ from the parent New
York office.
16. Tourists were warned against visiting the country during the rebel _________________.

17. The smoke from the volcano was an ________________ sign that an eruption was possible.

18. We have not received an official endorsement to move forward on the project, but there is a
___________ understanding that we should proceed.
19. The project was a success because of her careful planning and ____________.

20. There is no changing his mind; he is _____________ in his support of the new program.

21. His _____________ performance demonstrated that he was not enthusiastic about his job.

22. By ________________ revenue for the first three months of the year, we were able to forecast annual
sales.

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23. We usually do more definitive quantitative research after we do market discovery with ___________
research.
24. In order to meet our deadline, we will need a ________________ execution of our project plan.

25. When you have several projects going on at once, it’s difficult to __________________ and focus on
just one.

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Section 19 Test Answers

1. adaptation
2. chagrin
3. quandary
4. fortuitous
5. milestones
6. anomaly
7. slander
8. urbane
9. permeated
10. duplicity
11. respective
12. onerous
13. confer
14. tandem
15. scintillating
16. exulted
17. incredulous
18. compelling
19. hyperbole
20. presumptuous
21. burgeoning
22. integrate
23. languid
24. contrite
25. envoy

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Section 20 Lessons

Adaptation-(noun)-1. The process of adapting or adjusting to something 2. The change resulting from
adjusting to the environment or new circumstances 3. The modification of something into a new form for a
specific purpose

Synonyms: modification, adjustment, acclimation, conformation, alteration, change, variation, reworking

Antonyms: constancy

Tips & Usage: To adapt means "to change in order to suit different conditions or a new purpose." When
something adapts to its environment, it is said to undergo adaptation. Likewise, something that is reworked into
another form, like a book made into a play or film, is also called an adaptation. Something or someone that is
adaptable is willing or able to change to better suit different conditions.

Usage Examples:

1. The movie was an adaptation of a bestselling novel. (reworking, modification)

2. Many European countries have found the adaptation from their previous currency to the EURO difficult.
(change, adjustment)

3. Evolution occurs over millions of years as a result of adaptation to the changing environment.
(acclimation, conformation)

4. He was highly adaptable to change and therefore didn't mind working under a new boss. (willing, able,
well-suited, changeable)

Anomaly-(noun)-An irregularity or peculiarity that deviates from normal expectations and can be difficult to
identify or classify−something odd or unusual

Synonyms: peculiarity, abnormality, deviation, oddity, irregularity, curiosity, discrepancy, exception, aberration

Antonyms: normalcy, constancy, regularity

Tips & Usage: Anomaly is often used in statistics to describe an occurrence that seems out of the norm or
unexplainable. See enigma for additional analysis of anomaly.

Usage Examples:

1. I don’t think we need to worry about that happening again; it was just a onetime anomaly. (irregularity,
discrepancy)

2. I don’t think we can explain the precipitous drop in sales last month. Now that sales have increased back
to normal, I think the drop was just an anomaly. (abnormality, exception)

3. The cardiologist was looking for anomalies that might indicate heart disease in the patient's blood.
(irregularities, abnormalities)

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 4. I have diligently researched every possible answer for why our network crashed, and I have come up
empty handed. I'm convinced it was an unexplainable anomaly. (oddity, irregularity)

Burgeon-(verb)-To grow and flourish

Synonyms: grow, thrive, rise, blossom, bloom, develop, flourish, sprout, proliferate, swell, increase

Antonyms: diminish, decrease, shrink

Tips & Usage: To burgeon means "to grow" or "to produce new growth." Burgeon was originally used when
discussing growth in nature, such as burgeoning (blossoming, sprouting) plant life. The verb burgeon and its
related adjective burgeoning are often used in business and commerce to describe growth in the marketplace.

Usage Examples:

1. The buds I planted last fall will burgeon into beautiful flowers come spring. (blossom, sprout, grow)

2. The once burgeoning high-tech stocks have been flat for over six months. (flourishing, rising)

3. Although the company's sales fell flat in the previous quarter, the investors were optimistic that sales
would burgeon once again. (thrive, increase, grow)

4. Many people fear that the burgeoning cost of living may force our economy into a recession.
(increasing, rising, swelling)

Chagrin-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. Feelings of anger, humiliation, or disappointment about something (v.)-1. to

frustrate or disappoint someone

Synonyms: (n.) disappointment, dismay, shame, humiliation, confusion, annoyance, (v.) dismay, embarrass,
humiliate, shame, confuse, frustrate, disappoint

Antonyms: (n.) contentment, (v.) impress, satisfy, gladden

Tips & Usage: The popular phrases "much to the chagrin of…" or "much to my chagrin…" are widely used
when referring to disappointment or dismay over something.

Usage Examples:

1. The CEO and the COO, the executives who many believe drove the company into bankruptcy, were able
to keep their jobs−much to the chagrin of the employees who were laid off. (dismay, confusion)

2. The executives moved forward with the plan, much to the chagrin of the advisory board that strongly
opposed the plan. (disappointment, dismay)

3. Mary was chagrinned when John didn't show up for their date. (humiliated, dismayed)

4. Much to my chagrin, my boss pointed out my mistake in front of several of my coworkers. (humiliation,
embarrassment, annoyance)

Compelling-(adjective)-1. Attracting interest and attention 2. Tending to drive or force something to happen

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Synonyms: convincing, forceful, driving, dominant, commanding, imposing, interesting, exciting

Antonyms: unconvincing, weak

Tips & Usage: The adjective compelling comes from the verb compel, meaning "to induce, require, or force."
When there is compelling evidence for something, it demands attention because it is so strong. Something
compelling "forces" you to action.

Usage Examples:

1. As compelling as your argument may seem, I’m not convinced it will prove persuasive. (convincing,
commanding)

2. Everyone in the audience felt compelled to contribute to the actor’s charity organization. (induced, driven)

3. It was a compelling story, and I wanted to learn more details. (interesting, exciting)

4. Your Honor, we would like to retry the case, as we now have new and compelling evidence that we are
certain will exonerate our client. (convincing, forceful)

Confer-(verb)-1. To present to or bestow something onto somebody 2. To have a conference or meeting

Synonyms: award, bestow, impart, grant, give, present, talk, discuss, deliberate

Antonyms: take

Tips & Usage: Confer originates from the Latin word conferre, meaning "to bring together." Confer means
more than just "discuss." Confer denotes a more serious and trusted deliberation and discussion. If there is an
important decision to make, you will confer with your colleagues rather than simply discussing the issue with
them. Confer also means "to bestow or award" (see usage examples).

Usage Examples:

1. Executive management is prohibited from participating in any program that will confer financial benefit
to a board member. (award, give)

2. Could I take a moment to confer your offer with my colleagues? (discuss, deliberate)

3. Universities usually confer an honorary degree on their keynote speakers at graduation ceremonies.
(bestow, impart, award)

4. The attorney asked for a recess in the court proceedings so he could confer with his client. (talk, discuss)

Contrite-(adjective)-Feeling and displaying sincere regret or remorse for something

Synonyms: remorseful, regretful, apologetic, repentant, compunctious, penitent

Antonyms: unrepentant

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Tips & Usage: Contrite is a more sophisticated way of describing feelings of regret. Contrition is a noun that
means repentance, apology, or regret. In Catholicism, the act of contrition is the act of asking God to forgive
your sins. Contrite is synonymous with penitent.

Usage Examples:

1. Many felt the politician's apology was not contrite enough and that he was only making the apology
because he got caught. (repentant, regretful)

2. He sent his wife a bouquet of flowers as a show of contrition for arguing with her that morning.
(apology, regret)

3. Anyone can make a mistake; it's those who are contrite about their errors who are forgiven. (remorseful,
repentant)

4. Although I was angry at first, when I saw how contrite he was, I immediately forgave him. (apologetic,
regretful)

Duplicity-(noun)-1. The act or state of dishonesty and deception 2. The state of being twofold
Synonyms: deceit, insincerity, dishonesty, double-dealing, deception, guile

Antonyms: honesty, sincerity, truthfulness

Tips & Usage: The word duplicity is related to the word duplex, which refers to something having two parts.
So, duplicity (or a person being duplicitous) refers to two sides used to deceive. A spy is a perfect example of
duplicity, as a spy has to live two different lives. A duplicitous person will trick you by deception and having
"two faces." A two-faced (duplicitous) person will put on whatever face he needs to manipulate you. The related
verb dupe means "to fool, trick, deceive, or con." The related noun dupe refers to the person who was duped,
"tricked and deceived." For example, “The poor dupes were duped into investing in the scam.”

Usage Examples:

1. I’m sensing duplicity on this deal−I’m not sure I trust them. (dishonesty, double-dealing)

2. A solid contract signed by both parties is the best way to prevent duplicity on either side of the deal.
(double-dealing, deception)

3. The degree of duplicity in the affair shocked all of Fred's friends, especially since he was thought to be
an honest and upstanding member of the community. (deceit, deception, dishonesty)

4. I could tell the store manager was being duplicitous with her kindness in order to sell me more
merchandise. (insincere, dishonest, deceitful)

Envoy-(noun)-1. An official representative acting as a diplomat on behalf of a higher authority 2. In literature,

the short stanza at the end of a poem

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Synonyms: representative, delegate, diplomat, emissary, deputy, ambassador, agent, attaché

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Envoy comes from the French term envoyer, meaning "to send." Nations often send an envoy to
represent the country in lieu of sending the President or Prime Minister (or leader of the country). Envoy can
refer to a single person or a group of people sent as representatives.

Usage Examples:

1. The President sent a special envoy to broker peace in the region. (diplomat, ambassador)

2. We need to send a management envoy of our top executives in order to save this account. (delegation,
representation)

3. The Prime Minister felt that sending an envoy would not be enough; he wanted to attend the meeting
personally. (representative, delegate)

4. The Prince's royal envoy was sent around the world on a mission of peace and goodwill. (emissary,
attaché, ambassador)

Exult-(verb)-1. To feel or express great joy or elation 2. To be triumphant over someone else's unhappiness
Synonyms: triumph, delight, celebrate, rejoice, revel, gloat

Antonyms: bemoan, lament, mourn

Tips & Usage: Exult comes from the Latin word exsultare, meaning "to leap or jump up." Think of someone
jumping up and down with joy or happiness over good news. That person is exulted (adj.). The noun exultation
refers to the extreme joy or triumph that is felt.

Usage Examples:

1. After hearing the "not guilty" verdict, the defense team jumped up and down and exulted in excitement.
(delighted, celebrated)

2. The CEO used his speech to the company to exult about his many accomplishments. (gloat, revel)

3. The team exulted in its win over its biggest rival. (triumphed, delighted, reveled)

4. I think the boss exults in her power too much; she seems to delight in putting fear into her employees.
(rejoices, delights, revels)

Fortuitous-(adjective)-1. Happening by chance, especially as the result of a happy accident 2. Indicating good
fortune

Synonyms: accidental, coincidental, unexpected, lucky, happy, serendipitous

Antonyms: deliberate, actuated

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Tips & Usage: Although the original sense of the word fortuitous was "by chance" or "accidental," it makes
sense that it should mean "by happy or lucky chance." This makes sense because it originates from the Latin
word fors, meaning "luck." Fortuitous is synonymous with serendipitous−both words relate to unforeseen luck
or fortune that a person accidentally encounters. Fortuitous is a better adjective, while serendipity is a better
noun to use in the context of lucky accidents.

Usage Examples:

1. Our profits were increased by a fortuitous and unexpected drop in the cost of raw materials. (lucky,
serendipitous)

2. The early completion of the new hotel proved fortuitous, as several colleges had scheduled their spring
breaks for the week of its grand opening. (lucky, serendipitous)

3. The unexpected demise of our largest competitor was a fortuitous boon to our quarterly sales. (lucky,
fortunate)

4. The unusually hot summer proved fortuitous for the manufacturer of portable air conditioners. (lucky,
fortunate)

Hyperbole-(noun)-An obvious exaggeration, not meant to be taken seriously

Synonyms: exaggeration, embellishment, distortion, overstatement

Antonyms: understatement

Tips & Usage: A hyperbole denotes a clear and intended exaggeration. Note the word hype in hyperbole. Hype
refers to greatly exaggerated publicity. Hyperbole is used more to denote statements that are gross exaggeration
used to deceive people. Politicians often use hyperbole and accuse other politicians of using hyperbole
(exaggerated statements).

Usage Examples:

1. "These peanuts are so fantastic I could eat a million of them," he said with a measure of hyperbole.
(exaggeration)

2. Most of the analysts dismissed the CEO’s prediction of burgeoning market share as hyperbole.
(exaggeration, overstatement)

3. Of course there was some hyperbole in his statement, but the company really does expect record growth
next year, and most of the numbers support his predictions. (embellishment, exaggeration)

4. Since Dave's stories were known to be full of hyperbole, his friends took everything he said with a grain
of salt. (exaggeration, embellishment, distortion)

Incredulous-(adjective)-1. Unable or unwilling to believe something 2. Showing complete disbelief

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Synonyms: unbelieving, skeptical, doubtful, dubious, suspicious, questioning

Antonyms: credulous, gullible, believing

Tips & Usage: The root of the word incredulous is credulous, which is derived from the Latin word credo,
literally meaning "I believe." Think of creed, which has the same Latin origin and means "belief." Someone
credulous is very open to believing almost anything (gullible). When you add the negative in, which means
"not," incredulous means "not believing or finding something not credible." The related noun incredulity
denotes disbelief.

Usage Examples:

1. The employees were incredulous when they heard their CEO was indicted for fraud, because everyone
who worked with the CEO trusted him implicitly. (unbelieving, suspicious)

2. Most people where incredulous when the politician conveniently failed to recall any of her previous
dealings with her largest contributor. (suspicious, skeptical)

3. He felt a sense of incredulity at the notion that somebody could steal from the company. (disbelief)

4. The straight “A” student was incredulous when she received a failing grade on her term paper.
(disbelieving, questioning)

Integrate-(verb)-1. To make two or more parts into a united whole 2. To accept or become accepted into a
group

Synonyms: assimilate, blend, merge, unite, combine, mix, incorporate, desegregate

Antonyms: divide, split, separate, segregate

Tips & Usage: Integrate is derived from the Latin term integrare, meaning "to make whole." When two or more
things are integrated, they are brought together, as one. It is also a mathematical term referring to the calculation
of an integral.

Usage Examples:

1. We were able to create strong synergy by better integrating our different service offerings. (merging,
combining)

2. When companies follow a consistent marketing strategy by integrating their PR, advertising, and online
communications, they can develop more recognizable brands. (assimilating, uniting)

3. Children are generally able to integrate easily, regardless of any differences between them. (unite, mix,
assimilate)

4. It can be difficult for people to integrate into a new culture or society. (assimilate, blend)

Languid-(adjective)-1. Lacking energy and spirit 2. Slow moving

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Synonyms: sluggish, listless, lethargic, lazy, lackadaisical, inactive, unhurried, leisurely, indifferent

Antonyms: active, spirited, energetic, lively

Tips & Usage: Languid originates from the Latin word languere, meaning "to feel weak or faint." Languid is a
great way to describe someone who is slow, lazy, and lethargic. The related verb languish means "to be
neglected or deprived" or "to steadily decline."

Usage Examples:

1. During the hot and languid summer, the kids spent numerous hours sitting leisurely by the pool. (lazy,
unhurried, leisurely)

2. It was clear by his languid demeanor that he was no longer interested in his work. (indifferent,
lackadaisical, listless)

3. He had been languid for several months, and his waistline showed it. (inactive, lazy)

4. She allowed her language skills to languish for many years, and it took some time for her Spanish to
come back to her. (decline, be neglected)

Milestone-(noun)-A significant event in life, business, or history

Synonyms: event, landmark, breakthrough

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: A milestone is also an actual stone that marks the distance to a particular place. Milestone is now
used to denote a significant time or occasion−a point reached in life or business.

Usage Examples:

1. The company’s website was launched on Monday, marking its first major milestone. (significant event)

2. We expect to be profitable by the third quarter of this year, meeting the first of many financial
milestones defined in our business plan. (breakthroughs, events)

3. James felt that graduating from college and getting his first job would mark a major milestone in his life.
(event, breakthrough)

4. He felt that moving and getting his own apartment was a major milestone in his life. (significant event)

Onerous-(adjective)-Difficult and troublesome

Synonyms: difficult, troublesome, burdensome, demanding, oppressive, tedious, arduous, tiring, weighty,
cumbersome, laborious

Antonyms: easy, trivial, effortless, smooth, untiring

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Tips & Usage: Onerous is closely related to the word onus, which means "burden." It describes anything that
imposes strain or hardship. In negotiating, you may hear someone say, "They don't want to make the terms so
onerous (difficult, burdensome, demanding) as to kill the deal."

Usage Examples:

1. I’m going to have an onerous schedule during my next business trip; it’ll be a wonder if I get any sleep
at all. (arduous, tiring)

2. The company pulled out of the deal because many of the contract stipulations were onerous and
impossible to meet. (burdensome, oppressive)

3. She had the onerous task of cleaning up after her son's birthday party. (laborious, tedious)

4. The jury had the onerous duty of deciding whether the defendant was guilty or innocent. (difficult,
weighty)

Permeate-(verb)-1. To completely spread throughout something 2. To pass through

Synonyms: pervade, saturate, penetrate, infuse, diffuse, suffuse, seep, imbue, drench, soak, invade, flood

Antonyms: empty, leak

Tips & Usage: Permeate is formed from the Latin term per, meaning "through" and meare, meaning "pass."
Think pass through and spread out. This is also the root of the word permeable, which means "porous," or
"allowing to pass through." Think of a liquid saturating a sponge−the liquid permeates the permeable sponge.
Permeate is often used to describe smells passing through a room.

Usage Examples:

1. I love opening the windows in spring and letting the fresh smell of the outdoors permeate the house.
(pervade, saturate)

2. Once the announcement was made, the news quickly permeated the office. (flooded, pervaded)

3. The red wine quickly permeated the carpet fibers, and I knew the stain would be impossible to get out.
(saturated, soaked, penetrated)

4. We applied a special sealant on our deck to prevent the rain from permeating the wood and damaging it.
(penetrating, drenching)

Presumptive-(adjective)-1. Based on what's reasonable and probable enough to be thought true 2. Based on
presumption

Synonyms: assumptive, presumable, apparent, inferred, likely, probable

Antonyms: unlikely, improbable

Tips & Usage: When you presume something, you assume that it is true. If you are being presumptuous, you are
being excessively forward or bold in your assumptions. Something is said to be presumptive if there are

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reasonable grounds for its belief or acceptance. Presumptive is a rather formal term, and presumable or
presumed are more widely used.

Usage Examples:

1. Since the Senator is so far ahead in the polls, he is the presumptive nominee for President. (apparent,
presumed)

2. It was very presumptuous of you to assume that you had the right to approve the project without
consulting me. (bold, audacious, forward)

3. Although the attorney presented mainly circumstantial evidence, the jury believed it presumptive that
the defendant was guilty. (likely, probable)

4. The Prime Minister is so far ahead in the polls, he is the presumptive winner. (likely, apparent)

Quandary-(noun)-Uncertainty over a decision

Synonyms: dilemma, uncertainty, perplexity, predicament, complication

Antonyms: certainty

Tips & Usage: Quandary is a good word to use when faced with a dilemma that has no easy solution. Quandary
is similar to predicament and dilemma, with slightly different applications. Predicament is best used to denote
an unpleasant situation that is difficult to get out of. Dilemma is best used to denote a situation where you have
to make a difficult decision between two alternatives. Quandary is best used to describe a state of not being able
to make a decision.

Usage Examples:

1. The CEO found himself in a quandary: the company was losing money, but he couldn’t break the union
contract and lay off workers. (dilemma, predicament)

2. The manager had a human resource quandary: she was forced to two choose between two candidates
who were both equally qualified for the position. (dilemma, uncertainty)

3. I've had two great offers, and I'm still in a quandary over which one to accept. (uncertainty, perplexity)

4. I have a major quandary: I am dating two great girls and both want to have an exclusive relationship
with me. (perplexity, problem)

Respective-(adjective)-Relating separately to each thing or person that has been mentioned

Synonyms: own, individual, separate, corresponding, specific

Antonyms: whole, unified, unspecified

Tips & Usage: When something is respective to a person or thing just mentioned, it belongs to that person or
thing. Respective and respectively are generally used when speaking of two or more people or things.

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Usage Examples:

1. Great teams are made of players who understand their respective role in winning games. (individual,
specific)

2. Since there are three companies working on this project, it is important that each organization
understands its respective responsibilities. (own, corresponding, separate)

3. Mary and Jane preferred strawberry and chocolate ice cream, respectively. (individually,
correspondingly)

4. Tom, Dick, and Harry went to their respective classes after meeting in the cafeteria for lunch. (own,
separate, individual)

Scintillating-(adjective)-1. Displaying dazzling spirit and clever wit 2. Shining brightly

Synonyms: sparkling, dazzling, brilliant, amusing, entertaining, clever

Antonyms: dull, boring

Tips & Usage: Scintillating is a good word to describe a clever, witty, or particularly interesting conversation.
To scintillate means "to say clever or amusing things." Scintillating can also literally mean "sparkling, dazzling,
and brilliant."

Usage Examples:

1. The music from the symphony was synchronized to fireworks, creating an absolutely scintillating
performance. (dazzling, entertaining)

2. It was a fun dinner party with scintillating conversations across the table. (amusing, clever)

3. Her scintillating personality drew people to her at any social gathering. (sparkling, dazzling)

4. Jerry's scintillating speech kept the audience hanging on his every word. (amusing, clever, brilliant)

Slander-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. The act of saying something false and damaging to a person's reputation 2. A false
statement that damages someone's reputation (v.) -1. To make a false and purposely malicious statement against
someone

Synonyms: (n.) defamation, smear, aspersion, (v.) defame, smear, malign, besmirch, denigrate, impugn

Antonyms: truth

Tips & Usage: While slander refers to any malicious, intentional, and damaging attack on a person or his or her
reputation, libel refers to slander in print. Both terms are more legally oriented than the related words defame,
smear, malign, besmirch, denigrate, vilify, and impugn. For a memory trick, note how slander sounds like
slammed her. Now think about how a writer could slander an actress in an article and how people would talk
about how the writer unjustly "slammed her" by spreading the nasty rumor, which was tantamount to slander.

Usage Examples:

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 1. His negative characterization of me was tantamount to slander. (defamation, aspersion)

2. The politician's reputation was slandered by his opponent, who made false accusations and leaked
rumors to the press. (maligned, denigrated, besmirched)

3. I regard his malicious comments as slander on my reputation. (defamation, aspersion)

4. He made it clear that he would not allow them to get away with slandering his reputation in the press
and would sue the paper for libel. (defaming, smearing, impugning)

Tandem-(adverb, noun)-(adv.)-1. One behind another (n.)-1. A close relationship between two or more people
or things that depends on cooperation 2. A bicycle with two seats and two sets of pedals, arranged one behind
the other

Synonyms: (adv.) closely, at the same time, in cooperation, together

Antonyms: (adv.) individually, separately

Tips & Usage: The phrase "in tandem" is often used to describe a close relationship between two or more
people or things. It is also used to describe two or more things happening together or at the same time.

Usage Examples:

1. Some of the team members think that we need to complete the New York project before we begin the
LA project, but I think we can proceed with both projects in tandem. (together, at the same time,
parallel)

2. My doctor wanted to run several blood tests in tandem. (together, at the same time, parallel)

3. The project manager wants our two teams to work in tandem on this project. (in cooperation, together)

4. My friend and I rented a tandem and rode it along the boardwalk at the beach. (two-seated bicycle)

Urbane-(adjective)-Showing sophistication and refinement, especially due to extensive travel and wide social
experience

Synonyms: sophisticated, refined, cosmopolitan, poised, polished, elegant, cultured, worldly, debonair, polite,
genteel

Antonyms: unsophisticated, unrefined, bucolic, boorish

Tips & Usage: The word urbane evolved from the word urban, which means "characteristic of a city or city
life." City living was thought to be sophisticated, thus the meaning. Someone who is urbane is well traveled and
has been to many cities, acquiring culture and sophistication from these travels.

Usage Examples:

1. He was an urbane gentleman who was conversant in the arts and music history. (cultured, sophisticated)

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 2. On the exterior, he looked like a well-dressed and urbane businessman, but behind his facade was an
abrasive and boorish personality. (refined, elegant, cultured)

3. Her urbane sense of style never failed to impress Marla's coworkers. (sophisticated, elegant, polished)

4. Jeannie hoped that her boorish cousin wouldn't embarrass her among the urbane crowd at the cocktail
party. (worldly, cosmopolitan, sophisticated)

Section 20 Test

1. The movie about the teenage surfer girls was a modern _____________ of the old TV series Gidget.

2. The President signed the measure, much to the _____________ of the staff that pleaded with him to veto
the bill.
3. Increased competition and an ongoing price war created a major _____________ for the company.

4. Profits for automakers increased due to a ______________ drop in steel prices that no one had
predicted.
5. Profitability and positive cash flow are the two crucial _____________ that we need to meet this year.

6. Don’t worry, it was just an _____________; I don’t think it will ever happen again.

7. The politician demanded that the newspaper retract its negative article, or he would sue for
_____________ .
8. It’s hard to believe the tough city kid from Brooklyn turned into such a sophisticated and ____________
business professional.
9. A new bullish attitude toward the stock market seems to have ________________ the country because
everyone is buying stocks again.
10. Do you get the sense that they are not telling us everything? I sense ______________ on their side.

11. The manager did a great job of defining each person's ________________ role in the project.

12. We want to have tough stipulations in the contract, but we don’t want them to be so ______________
that the other side walks from the deal.
13. The new mobile phone has several new product attributes that analysts believe will _____________ a
market advantage to the manufacturer.
14. Are we going to work on one project at a time or both in ____________?

15. The fireworks created a colorful and ________________ glow in the night sky.

16. After learning that they won the large contract, the team was ______________.

17. It was clear that the jury was becoming increasingly ______________ as the defendant continuously
contradicted himself on the stand.

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18. At first I didn’t agree with her, but she delivered such a ____________ argument that I changed my
opinion.
19. Jim’s business plan was fraught with ________________ and misleading market analysis.

20. I can’t believe he just assumed I was paying for his dinner; that was very _________________ of him.

21. With the increased investment in mobile technology, many analysts predict a ____________ market that
will grow by 20% each year.
22. The full service marketing agency developed a plan to ____________ their advertising, PR, and
interactive service offering.
23. The manager was upset with the ______________ performance of his team.

24. No, I don’t believe he is truly sorry. He was not ____________ in his apology.

25. Before the President sends the Secretary of State, he usually sends a special ___________ to meet with a
foreign government's representatives.

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Section 20 Test Answers
1. adaptation
2. chagrin
3. quandary
4. fortuitous
5. milestones
6. anomaly
7. slander
8. urbane
9. permeated
10. duplicity
11. respective
12. onerous
13. confer
14. tandem
15. scintillating
16. exulted
17. incredulous
18. compelling
19. hyperbole
20. presumptuous
21. burgeoning
22. integrate
23. languid
24. contrite
25. envoy

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Bonus Lessons

Ad hoc-(adjective, adverb)-Done for a specific purpose, without regard for larger or future issues
Synonyms: improvised, impromptu

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: When something is done for one, specific purpose, without regard for wider or future
application, it is considered ad hoc.

Usage Examples:

1. We did not have a plan in place for the inventory shortage, so we formed an ad hoc committee to
address the issue. (for a specific purpose)

2. When the programmers weren't able to create the functionality needed in the program, they were forced
to write ad hoc code to solve the problem. (improvised, addressing the specific problem)

3. Jennifer trained for the marathon ad hoc because she knew she would never run another one.
(specifically for this)

4. The marketing firm was hired to create a coordinated marketing strategy so that ad hoc advertising could
be avoided in the future. (improvised, impromptu, specific to only one purpose)

Algorithm-(noun)-A precise rule or set of rules for solving a problem

Synonyms: rule, formula, procedure, guide

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The word algorithm is often used to refer to a technical, problem-solving procedure that can be
consistently applied to derive a solution. Think of an equation that can be consistently applied to solve a
mathematical problem. Algorithm is often used in technology, mathematics, computer sciences, and scientific
research. Its origins are rooted in the Greek word arithmos, meaning "number."

Usage Examples:

1. The computer program employed complex algorithms to simplify the processing of data. (formulas,
problem-solving procedures)

2. The sales manager created a unique algorithm for his sales reps to use in identifying the best business
prospects. (formula, step-by-step guide)

3. The students were asked to identify the algorithm for finding the hypotenuse of any triangle. (formula,
rule)

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 4. The graphic designer created an algorithm for her assistant to use when creating a new page layout for
the magazine. (step-by-step guide, rule, formula)

Ascertain-(verb)-To determine or discover something with certainty−to make sure

Synonyms: determine, discover, confirm, learn, substantiate, conclude, unearth

Antonyms: assume, guess, conjecture, surmise

Tips & Usage: Notice the word "certain" within the word ascertain. The words are closely related, and ascertain
essentially means "to make certain." Ascertain is a more sophisticated way of saying "confirm" or "determine."
If something is described as ascertainable, it means that it can be determined or confirmed with certainty.

Usage Examples:

1. How do you plan to ascertain the accuracy of this report? (determine, confirm)

2. Before you begin investing in the stock market, it is important that you ascertain the amount of risk you
are willing to incur. (discover, determine)

3. The investigators have not been able to ascertain the cause of the accident. (determine, discover,
confirm)

4. We should ascertain that we have the right directions before heading out. (confirm, substantiate)

Buttress-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. Something that gives support 2. A support, usually made of stone or brick, which
supports a building (v.)-1. To support or reinforce something

Synonyms: (n.) support, prop, brace, bulwark, (v.) support, bolster, reinforce, strengthen, fortify

Antonyms: (v.) weaken, let down

Tips & Usage: Buttress can be used in the literal sense of giving support to something like a building, or it can
be used in the more figurative sense of giving support to a cause or idea. In the noun form, a modification or
addition which strengthens a case, argument, or plan can be referred to as a buttress.

Usage Examples:

1. The new evidence helped to buttress the defense attorney's argument and won him the case. (bolster,
support, strengthen)

2. To buttress their recommendations, the team members presented market research that supported their
respective ideas. (reinforce, support)

3. I fear that the buttress used to support this wall is too old to function much longer. (support, brace)

4. Although the building was very old, it was decided that it would be worthwhile to buttress the crumbling
walls, rather than tear the whole thing down. (brace, bolster, reinforce)

Commiserate-(verb)-To feel and show sympathy or share sadness

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Synonyms: sympathize, pity

Antonyms: rejoice

Tips & Usage: Commiserate is used in the context of sharing sadness or problems. It is closely related to the
word misery and has its roots in the Latin word miser, meaning "miserable." When you add the Latin prefix co,
meaning "with, together" with the Latin root miser, meaning "miserable," you get the term commiserate,
meaning "to share someone's misery." People usually commiserate because they are in the same situation. The
related noun commiseration refers to compassion, sympathy, or the sharing of problems.

Usage Examples:

1. Will you join me for a cup of coffee and commiserate with me over all the work we have to do this
week? (sympathize)

2. Our support group meets each month to commiserate over problems we have at work. (share sadness,
pity each other)

3. He gave me a look of commiseration as I left the principal's office in tears. (sympathy, compassion, pity)

4. I found it difficult to commiserate with her because I didn't think she had anything to be upset about.
(sympathize, share sadness)

Contempt-(noun)-Willful and open disrespect

Synonyms: disdain, dislike, disrespect, hatred, disgust, disregard, scorn, loathing, shame, dishonor, arrogance,
defiance

Antonyms: regard, reverence, respect, honor, affection

Tips & Usage: The word contempt comes from the Latin word contemnere, meaning "to despise utterly." When
you hold something or someone in contempt or have contempt for something, you have a powerful dislike for it
and feel that it is undeserving of respect. To say that someone is "beneath contempt" is to say that he or she is
completely undeserving of regard or respect. To be "held in contempt" of a court is a common legal term
meaning that the judge has ordered a punishment for someone who was being disrespectful or disobedient in
court. To contemn means "to scorn, to disrespect, to look down on with disdain." The adjective contemptible
means "deserving of contempt." The adjective contemptuous means "full of contempt for someone or
something." Please note the difference between contemptible and contemptuous. analysis.

Usage Examples:

1. I have nothing but contempt for people who lie, cheat, and steal. (disgust, loathing)

2. He is very contemptuous of people who don't work hard and complain about everything in life.
(expressing disgust)

3. Her comments were contemptible, and I can't possibly have any respect for her at this point. (shameful,
loathsome, deserving of disdain)

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 4. I have nothing but contempt for people who are cruel to animals. (disrespect, scorn, disdain, dislike)

Conversely-(adverb)-In the opposite way

Synonyms: on the other hand, on the contrary

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The converse of something is its opposite. Thus, using the word conversely is a good way to
introduce an opposite statement from the one that has just been made.

Usage Examples:

1. All fathers are men; conversely, not all men are fathers. (on the other hand)

2. We provide tech-support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Conversely, our competitors only provide
tech-support 8 hours a day, five days a week. (contrarily, on the other hand)

3. He was considered a great doctor by some, and conversely, as an out-of-control renegade by others. (on
the contrary)

4. If we do nothing to improve our sales, this company will fail. Conversely, our competition will thrive.
(contrarily)

Edification-(noun)-The improvement of understanding, especially through instruction or enlightenment

Synonyms: instruction, education, guidance, learning, enlightenment, clarification

Antonyms: complication, obstruction

Tips & Usage: Notice how the words edification and education sound very similar. This is a good way to help
remember the meaning of edification. Edification is often considered to mean "spiritual enlightenment" but is
generally used when referring to any kind of education, clarification, or a better understanding of an issue. The
verb edify means "to improve one's mind, educate, or clarify." The adjective edifying means "educational or
instructive."

Usage Examples:

1. For my own edification, would you mind explaining this new technology further; I find it fascinating.
(education, clarification)

2. I read the software manual from cover-to-cover for no reason other than my own edification.
(instruction, education)

3. I read books for pleasure rather than edification. However, I find that I usually learn something from
most everything I read. (education, learning)

4. That class was easy and boring, not edifying at all. (educational, instructive, enlightening)

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Glean-(verb)-To collect and extract information about something over a period of time and often from multiple
sources

Synonyms: collect, gather, discover, derive, accumulate, extract, assemble, cull, garner

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Glean is an old farming term used to describe the gathering of stray bits and pieces of a crop that
remained after the fields were reaped. The same idea is used today to describe the gathering of facts and
information. To glean means "to gather facts in small quantities in order to piece together some information
over time." Glean is related to the word cull, which has its origin in selecting livestock. Where gleaning is
gathering information in small quantities from different sources, culling is selecting from a group what you
think is best or most appropriate. Glean is used most often to denote the gathering of information. Cull can also
be used to denote the selection of information, but is also used to mean culling (narrowing down, selecting,
picking) the best from a group or removing the bad.

Usage Examples:

1. I was able to glean some details of the new marketing strategy from their business plan, but I still don't
have the full story. (extract, garner)

2. Greg reported back all of the new insights he gleaned from presentations he attended at the conference.
(collected, garnered, culled)

3. From what we were able to glean from the report, our sales forecasts for the year are quite good. (gather,
extract)

4. Through a series of brief conversations with my friends, I gleaned that their marriage was in trouble.
(gathered, derived)

Goad-(verb, noun)-(v.)-1. To provoke or try to incite someone to do something (n.)-1. Something, usually a
verbalization, used to get someone to do something

Synonyms: (v.) push, prompt, incite, bully, coerce, provoke, motivate, spur, prod, (n.) stimulus, incentive,
motivation, prod, jolt, spur

Antonyms: discourage

Tips & Usage: The original meaning of goad was "to prod an animal with a stick," and also referred to the stick
itself. Think of goading goats and trying to get them to move along or do something. Today, the meaning has
come to encompass any kind of prodding or prompting, but is used in a negative sense−a sense of pushing
someone into doing something he or she doesn't really want to do. As a verb, goad should not be used to denote
positive encouragement or support. As a noun, however, a goad can be a motivator, in a more positive sense.

Usage Examples:

1. The group tried to goad Dale into singing karaoke by telling him he was a "chicken" if he didn't do it.
(push, prod, bully)

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 2. The President delivered several speeches intended to goad congress into enacting new legislation.
(incite, prompt, motivate)

3. I didn't want to be goaded into making a decision I wasn't comfortable with, so I decided to take some
time to think about it. (pushed, coerced)

4. The teacher used a prize, which would go to the person who scored the highest grade on the next exam,
as a goad to encourage the children to study. (motivator, spur)

Gumption-(noun)-1. Good common sense and practical judgment 2. The courage and determination to take
action

Synonyms: sense, wisdom, sagacity, determination, initiative, fortitude, courage

Antonyms: stupidity, cowardice

Tips & Usage: To say that someone has gumption means that the person demonstrates self-motivation and
initiative to succeed. Someone with gumption has the ability and sound judgment to decide what is best in a
particular situation and to do it with determination. Gumption also denotes courage and the will to stand up and
do what is right.

Usage Examples:

1. You have to give the young manager credit for gumption, as he was not afraid to stand up and question
the CEO's ideas in the meeting. (initiative, fortitude)

2. I always knew he possessed the gumption needed to succeed in this difficult business. (determination,
fortitude)

3. Kristi had the gumption to challenge her company's policies and was able to incite much needed change.
(sense, initiative, courage)

4. The success of this business is due in large part to her gumption as a leader. (wisdom, fortitude)

Indicative-(adjective)-Indicating existence, pointing out or revealing clearly

Synonyms: indicating, suggesting, suggestive, denotative, representative, characteristic

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: You will often hear indicative used in the following phrase: "something was or is indicative
of...". This translates to "something seems to indicate, demonstrate, or represent." Indicative is also a
grammatical term which describes the mood of a verb. Something that is indicative indicates, or shows.

Usage Examples:

1. I don't think that the real estate boom we're seeing in California is indicative of what's happening in
other parts of the country. (representative, characteristic)

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 2. Andrew feels that the poor financial reports are indicative of a worsening economy. (suggestive,
denotative)

3. Her strong words were indicative of a bad mood, not her general demeanor. (suggestive, representative)

4. The recent meetings seem to be indicative of improved relations between the two countries. (suggestive,
denotative)

Insidious-(adjective)-1. Harmful and destructive in a slow and gradual way 2. Harmful and injurious, yet
enticing

Synonyms: cunning, devious, sinister, sly, subtle, treacherous, harmful, dangerous, injurious

Antonyms: obvious, apparent, innocuous

Tips & Usage: Insidious is derived from the Latin word insidere, meaning "to sit on" or "lie in wait." Something
that is insidious may not seem dangerous or harmful at first, but slowly spreads to become so. An insidious
disease, for example, is one that may not be detected until it has spread to the point of being fatal.

Usage Examples:

1. The company's insidious accounting practices had a gradually negative impact on profits. (injurious,
harmful)

2. Cancer is an insidious disease that often goes undetected until it is too late. (dangerous, sinister)

3. Drug addiction can gradually manifest itself in an insidious way. (subtle, sly, injurious)

4. The insidious gossip within our office has caused more problems than anyone might realize. (subtle,
cunning, devious, injurious)

Invariably-(adverb)-Almost always
Synonyms: regularly, consistently, always, constantly

Antonyms: never, sometimes

Tips & Usage: Invariably is a more sophisticated way to describe something that always happens.

Usage Examples:

1. No matter how hard he tries to remember, he invariably forgets his keys at least once a week.
(consistently, regularly)

2. When your arm is in a cast, people invariably want to know how your injury happened. (always,
consistently)

3. That airline has the worst track record for timeliness; it is invariably late. (regularly, always)

4. As soon as I start a new diet, someone invariably brings donuts into the office. (consistently, always)

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Iterative-(adjective)-Characterized by tedious repetition
Synonyms: repetitive, recurring

Antonyms: singular, isolated

Tips & Usage: Iterative is usually used to describe a process of small, incremental steps or improvements in
something. The related noun iteration is used to describe each version or step. The related verb iterate means "to
repeat." To reiterate is to state again, used for emphasis.

Usage Examples:

1. It is an iterative process, by which we constantly improve the program over time. (repetitive)

2. Each iteration of the program improved upon what we had already done. (new version)

3. This is an iterative and tedious task, but there's no way around it. (repetitive)

4. I wish she would iterate what she just said because I didn't hear her the first time. (repeat)

Percolate-(verb)-1. To filter or rise to the top 2. To gradually spread or pass through

Synonyms: filter, trickle, strain, rise, pass

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Most people recognize the word percolate from the percolating of coffee. Water passes through
coffee grounds and the coffee percolates into a container. In business and daily life, percolate is used to describe
good ideas or recommendations that rise above other considerations. Percolate can also be used to denote the
spreading of information.

Usage Examples:

1. All critical considerations must percolate up to the CEO and CFO for their review. (filter, rise)

2. If a meeting is successful, all of the good ideas will percolate early on and inspire substantive
discussion. (rise, filter upward)

3. The rumors of their breakup have begun to percolate through our circle of friends. (filter, trickle, pass)

4. Tiny cracks in our roof have allowed water to percolate into our attic during the rain. (pass, trickle)

Proverbial-(adjective)-1. Relating to or used in a proverb 2. Widely known and spoken of

Synonyms: spoken of, widely known, familiar

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: The word proverbial is usually used as an intensifier to note to the listener that you are about to
quote a proverb or cliché. Proverbial is also used when referring to something that is widely known or often
spoken of.

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Usage Examples:

1. The proverbial key to success in the service industry is to remember that time is money. (widely known,
commonly referred to)

2. His proverbial bad temper is feared by his family. (widely known, familiar)

3. This isn't such a big deal; it's just a proverbial drop in the bucket. (spoken of, commonly referred to)

4. It will be as easy as the proverbial shooting fish in a barrel. (widely known, spoken of)

Riveting-(adjective)-Arousing and holding the attention of

Synonyms: fascinating, enthralling, spellbinding, captivating

Antonyms: boring, dull, uninteresting, common

Tips & Usage: To rivet is "to hold" or "direct one's attention to something." Thus, something described as
riveting is capable of holding a person's attention because of its fascinating qualities. Just because something is
riveting, doesn't always mean it's good. Sometimes, horrifying things can be riveting as well. Riveting is
synonymous with captivating and enthralling. They all refer to something that is fascinating and captures your
attention. Use whichever word best flows with your sentence.

Usage Examples:

1. I found the movie riveting and was on the edge of my seat the whole time. (enthralling, captivating)

2. I was riveted to the television as news of the events unfolded. (held, fixed)

3. After the play, many audience members waited backstage to congratulate the actor on his riveting
performance. (spellbinding, enthralling)

4. The professor's lectures were less than riveting, and several students decided to drop the class.
(captivating, fascinating)

Serendipity-(noun)-Good luck in discovering unexpected things

Synonyms: luck, fortune, coincidence, chance

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Serendipity is often used as a sophisticated way of describing luck. When things happen out of
serendipity, it usually seems like they're meant to be, although they happen through coincidence. Serendipitous
is a related adjective that means "coincidental and lucky." A perfect use of serendipity is to describe a situation
where a person was pursuing something and stumbles upon an even greater find or fortune, one that was
completely different from their original pursuit. For example, if you joined a club to make new friends, and you
ended up meeting the love of your life, that would be a perfect example of serendipity.

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Usage Examples:

1. In addition to his hard work, I would say his success was in part due to serendipity−the proverbial
"being at the right place at the right time." (luck, chance)

2. I landed a great job when I bumped into an old friend at the grocery store−talk about serendipity! (luck,
fortune, chance)

3. We didn't want to over-plan our trip because we wanted to leave ourselves open to serendipitous
adventures. (lucky, accidental, chance)

4. Many couples think that their meeting and coming together was pure serendipity. (luck, chance, happy
coincidence)

Steeped-(adjective)-1. Soaked in a liquid 2. Fully engrossed 3. Filled with

Synonyms: soaked, drenched

Antonyms: dry, dried, empty of

Tips & Usage: Steeped literally means "soaked in liquid." Steeped is often used in business to describe a person
who is full of experience. You may hear the verb steep used in the context of steeping a bag of tea in water.
Steeped is similar in meaning to saturated and sodden.

Usage Examples:

1. We hired the accounting firm because everyone on the team was steeped in accounting knowledge and
experience. (full of)

2. After I finished studying for the Bar exam, I felt as if my brain was steeped with legal facts and
knowledge. (filled, drenched, soaked)

3. The team was steeped in pride when it won its first championship. (filled with)

4. The directions say to steep the tea bag in boiling water for four to five minutes.(submerge)

Triage-(noun, verb)-(n.)-1. The act of prioritizing and organizing emergency relief (v.)-1. to assign priority
based on where funds and resources are most needed and can best be used

Synonyms: prioritization, organization, sorting, allocation

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: Triage is mainly used in the context of providing and prioritizing emergency, especially medical
relief in the wake of a disaster, but can also be used in business to denote prioritizing important issues.

Usage Examples:

1. The bank will need to triage its loan books to identify its most important loans. (organize, prioritize)

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 2. The venture capital firm triaged its most important investments and pulled out of the others. (prioritized)

3. The triage in the wake of the disaster ensured that those with the most chance of survival were given
medical attention first. (prioritization, allocation)

4. I would ask that you triage your different recommendations based on priority and need for funding.
(prioritize, allocate)

Unseemly-(adjective)-Not in keeping with acceptable standards of polite society, in bad taste

Synonyms: rude, uncouth, inappropriate, improper, impolite, indecent

Antonyms: polite, proper

Tips & Usage: Anything that doesn't seem proper can be considered unseemly. Unseemly is a more
sophisticated way of saying "inappropriate."

Usage Examples:

1. Her unseemly remarks at the meeting made the other employees uncomfortable. (inappropriate,
improper)

2. I thought his attire was unseemly and not fit for a formal party. (improper, inappropriate)

3. It was unseemly for her to borrow my lip gloss without asking. (rude, impolite)

4. His unseemly behavior embarrassed his date. (uncouth, rude, indecent)

Veritable-(adjective)-Absolute, true, and complete, usually indicating that something being referred to
figuratively is actually true

Synonyms: authentic, real, genuine, true, absolute, complete, bona fide, undeniable, unquestionable

Antonyms: doubtful, counterfeit, fake, unreal, untrue

Tips & Usage: Veritable comes from the Latin word veritas, meaning "truth." Veritable usually refers to
something figurative as actually being true. For example, the veritable low hanging fruit, or the veritable silver
bullet etc.

Usage Examples:

1. We've been told that this program is a veritable treasury of useful vocabulary words. (bona fide, true)

2. We have to pursue this market−it's a veritable orchard of low-hanging fruit. (absolute, undeniable)

3. For our holiday party last year, we transformed our house into a veritable replica of the North Pole.
(authentic, genuine, bona fide)

4. After a month of neglect, my garden became a veritable jungle. (authentic, genuine)

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Visceral-(adjective)-1. Obtained through intuition and instinct rather than reasoning and observation 2.
Relating to the internal parts of the body

Synonyms: instinctive, emotional, intuitive, internal, deep

Antonyms:

Tips & Usage: A visceral reaction is a reaction "from the gut." You may respond to something based on instinct
and intuition, but not be able to explain why you feel a certain way. This is a visceral reaction.

Usage Examples:

1. I don't want to do business with him because I have a visceral distrust of the man. (instinctive, deep,
intuitive)

2. My initial, visceral response was to decline the job offer and wait for a better opportunity. (instinctive,
emotional)

3. I trust my instincts and rely on my visceral feelings to guide my decisions. (intuitive, instinctive)

4. I'm not sure why, but I have a visceral feeling that he is the right man for the job, so I'm going to hire
him. (intuitive, instinctive)

Wrangle-(verb, noun)-(v.)-1. To argue noisily for a long period of time 2. To get something through argument
(n.)-1. A long and/or noisy argument

Synonyms: (v.) quarrel, argue, bicker, squabble, (n.) dispute, argument

Antonyms: agree, settle

Tips & Usage: To help you remember the word wrangle, think of a Wrangler whose job is to herd and wrangle
cows and sheep. Cows and sheep don't always want to move, so you yell at them, herd them, and prod them
along. This is wrangling. Think of this when you use the word wrangle to describe an argument or an effort to
get someone to go along with your ideas.

Usage Examples:

1. I don't want to get involved, so I'll let the attorneys wrangle over the details of the dispute. (argue,
quarrel)

2. Democrats and Republicans spent most of the week wrangling over the details of the bill. (arguing,
bickering)

3. The lengthy legal wrangle finally ended with a settlement that both parties could live with. (dispute,
argument)

4. The political wrangle lasted well into the night, and when it was over, neither side had conceded.
(argument, dispute)

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Bonus Test

1. I think the key to success is an ______________ solution that we build on over time.

2. I don’t think he will follow through with this without some ______________ on our part.

3. You had a bad day too; let’s meet for a drink to _______________ over our day.

4. Our planned itinerary went out the door when we had to call an _____________ meeting to address the
crisis.
5. If you look at the company’s history, you will see an ____________ pattern of running smaller
competitors out of business.
6. I couldn’t put the book down; it was a ____________ story that captured my attention from the first
page.
7. You were able to land this great job by bumping into an old friend at the store−talk about
_______________.
8. It may take some time, but I will ultimately get my _____________ "day in court."

9. What do you think of the plan? Please be honest. What’s your ____________ feeling about this new
strategy?
10. The manufacturing company hired the consulting firm because they were _____________ with
operation and manufacturing experience.
11. When you have an accent, ______________ someone will ask you where you are from.

12. The attorney was confident the new evidence would ____________ their case.

13. In court, the plaintiff could barely hide his _______________ for the accountant who had embezzled
money from him.
14. With our limited marketing budget, we will need to ___________ our spending on what we think will
give us the most bang for the buck.
15. The movie star let her agent do all of her dirty work and ____________ over the details of her contract
with the studio.
16. My ideas were finally starting to _____________ and gain recognition with upper management.

17. All of the Power Words used in the Executive Vocabulary were __________ from leading business
publications and business documents.
18. I think his actions in the past are ____________ of what he will do in the future.

19. I thought his loud and obnoxious tone-of-voice while dining in the fine restaurant was ______________.

20. It takes a lot of _______________ to be successful in this difficult industry.

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21. The investment firm developed several ______________ for profitably buying and selling foreign
currency.
22. We offer a comprehensive solution; ______________ our competitors offer only a limited solution.

23. Were you able to ______________ the exact time his plane is expected to arrive?

24. Would you mind elaborating on this subject for my own ________________.

25. His in-depth knowledge of many diverse subjects makes him a _______________ walking
encyclopedia.

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Bonus Test Answers
1. iterative
2. goading
3. commiserate
4. ad hoc
5. insidious
6. riveting
7. serendipity
8. proverbial
9. visceral
10. steeped
11. invariably
12. buttress
13. contempt
14. triage
15. wrangle
16. percolate
17. gleaned
18. indicative
19. unseemly
20. gumption
21. algorithms
22. conversely
23. ascertain
24. edification
25. veritable

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Alphabetical Index, by Section
Abate (abatement) 18
Abdicate 8
Abort 9
Abrasive 19
Abreast 10
Abstruse 11
Accolade 12
Accordance 13
Accost 14
Accountability (account) 15
Accrue 16
Acquiesce (acquiescence) 17
Acumen 19
Adamant 1
Adaptation 20
Adept 1
Adhere (adherence) 2
Admonish 3
Adroit 3
Aesthetic 4
Affable 5
Affiliate 6
Affinity 7
Afford 8
Aggregate 9
Alacrity 10
Allay 11
Allude 12
Altruistic 4
Ambiguous 5
Ambivalence (ambivalent) 14
Amicable 15
Amortize (amortization) 16
Analogous 17
Analytical 6
Ancillary 18
Anecdotal (anecdote) 19
Anomaly 20
Antiquated 1
Antithesis 2
Apathetic 3
Apathy 4
Arbitrary 2
Ardent 3
Arduous 5
Arrears 12

336
Assiduous 6
Assimilate 7
Astute 8
Audacity (audacious) 9
Augment 10
Auspicious 11
Autonomous (autonomy) 13
Avid 14
Banal 15
Begrudge 16
Behooves 17
Beleaguered 18
Benchmark 7
Benignant 20
Berate 1
Blasé 2
Bode 3
Bombastic 4
Boon 5
Breadth 6
Brevity 7
Broach 8
Buoyant 1
Cadre 9
Caliber 10
Candid (candor) 11
Capitalize (capitalization) 13
Capitulate 14
Capricious (caprice) 12
Captivating, captive 16
Catalyst 17
Caustic 18
Cavalier 19
Caveat 3
Chagrin 20
Characterize 1
Circumspect 2
Circumvent 19
Clandestine 4
Cliché 5
Coalesce 6
Coerce (coercion) 7
Cogent 8
Cognitive 9
Coherent (incoherent) 11
Cohesive 2
Cohort 13
Collateral 14
Collective 15
Command 16

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Commensurate 17
Commissioned 18
Compartmentalize 19
Compel compelling 20
Complacent 1
Compulsion 2
Concert (concerted) 3
Concerted 4
Concession (concede) 10
Concur 5
Condemn (condemned) 6
Condescend (condescending) 7
Confound 12
Congruent 8
Conjecture 9
Connote (connotation) 10
Consortium 11
Consternation 12
Construe (misconstrue) 13
Consummate (consummate) 14
Contemporary 15
Contentious 16
Context 17
Continuity 18
Continuum 19
Contrite 20
Contrive 1
Convene 9
Converge 2
Conversant 6
Conviction 3
Convolution 4
Copious 5
Correlation 6
Coupled 7
Cull 9
Culmination 10
Cursory 11
Curt 8
Dabble 12
Daunt (daunting) (undaunted) 13
Decimate 5
Deduce (deduction) 14
Deemed 15
Deference 16
Defray 17
Demeanor 18
Demographic 19
Demure 20
Depraved 1

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Deprecate 2
Desultory 3
Dichotomy 4
Dilapidated 6
Diligence (due-diligence), (diligent) 19
Discern (discerning) 7
Disconcerted (disconcert) 8
Discourse 9
Discovery 10
Discretionary (discretion) 11
Disparage 12
Disparate 13
Disparity 14
Disposed 15
Disseminate (dissemination) 16
Dogma 17
Dominion 18
Duplicity 20
Duress 1
Earnest 2
Eccentric 3
Eclectic 4
Effusive 6
Elicit 7
Elucidate 8
Elusive 9
Emphatic 10
Emulate 11
Enamor 12
Encroach 15
Endear 13
Endeavor 14
Endemic 5
Enduring (endure) 15
Engaging, (engage) 16
Enigma 17
Ensue 18
Enumerate 19
Envoy 20
Epiphany 2
Equanimity 3
Esoteric 4
Espouse 5
Euphemism 7
Euphoric (euphoria) 8
Exacerbate 10
Exasperated (exacerbated) 11
Expedient 12
Expedite 13
Expenditure 14

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Explicit, explicitly 15
Exponentially 16
Extemporaneous 17
Extraneous 18
Extrapolate 19
Exult 20
Facade 1
Facet 2
Facetious 3
Facilitate 4
Factor 5
Fallacy 7
Falter 8
Feasibility (feasible) 9
Fervent 10
Flaccid 11
Flagship 12
Flippant 13
Foment 14
Foregoing (forgo) 15
Foremost 16
Formidable 17
Forte 18
Fortitude 19
Fortuitous 20
Framework 1
Frank 2
Fraught 6
Frenetic 12
Frivolous 3
Fruition 4
Fundamental 5
Furtive 6
Gamut 7
Garner 8
Germane 9
Grapple (grappling) 11
Gratuitous 12
Gravity (grave) 13
Gregarious 14
Harness 18
Heed 8
Helm 16
Heterogeneous 17
Holistic 19
Hyperbole 20
Ideological 16
Idiosyncratic (Idiosyncrasy) 1
Illicit 4
Illusive (illusory) 5

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Impasse 15
Impede (impediment) 6
Imperative 8
Impetuous 9
Impetus 10
Implicit 11
Implore 7
Impress 12
Impugn 13
Inadvertent 14
Inane 15
Incensed 16
Incentive 10
Incessant 17
Incipient 18
Incorporate 19
Incredulous 20
Incumbent 1
Incur 2
Indigent 3
Indignant 4
Indolence 5
Induce 6
Inept 7
Influx 8
Infrastructure 9
Ingrained 10
Inherent 11
Innate 12
Innovative 13
Innuendo (insinuation) 14
Insatiable 15
Insipid 17
Insulate 18
Insurgency 19
Integrate, integration 20
Integrity 1
Interactive 2
Interim 3
Interject 4
Intermittently 5
Intrepid 6
Intricate 17
Intrinsic 7
Intuitive (intuition) 8
Inundated 9
Inveterate 10
Jaded 11
Jettison 12
Juxtaposed (juxtapose) (juxtaposition) 16

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Kudos 13
Laissez-faire 3
Lament (lamentation) 14
Latent 15
Laud 16
Legacy 17
Leverage 18
Levity 19
Loquacious 20
Lucid 1
Lucrative 2
Machiavellian 4
Magnanimous 5
Magnitude 6
Malcontent 7
Malign 8
Mandate 10
Mantras 11
Maxim 13
Meager 14
Mediate (mediator) 15
Menial 17
Merit verb. 18
Meticulously 19
Milestone 20
Mire 12
Mitigating, mitigate 1
Mollify 2
Moot 3
Mulling 4
Mundane 5
Myopic 6
Myriad 7
Nascent 8
Nebulous 9
Negate 10
Nepotism 11
Nexus 9
Niche 12
Novelty 13
Nuance 14
Nullify (annul) (null) 15
Obdurate 18
Obsolete 16
Obtuse (acute) 17
Ominous 19
Onerous 20
Onus 1
Opportune 2
Orchestrate 3

342
Ostensibly 4
Ostentatious 5
Overt 6
Pander 7
Paradigm 8
Paradox 9
Paragon 10
Paramount 11
Parody 12
Paucity 14
Penchant 13
Pensive 15
Perceived 16
Perceptive (perception) 17
Perennial 18
Perfunctory 19
Permeate 20
Perpetuate 1
Persona 19
Personify 2
Perspective 3
Pertaining to 4
Pertinent 5
Peruse 6
Pervasive 7
Pinnacle 9
Placate 10
Placid 11
Poignant 12
Pragmatic 14
Precedent 15
Precipitous (precipitate) 13
Precursor 16
Preeminent 17
Preempt (preemptive) 18
Presumptive 20
Pretense 1
Pretentious 2
Prevalent prevailing 3
Pristine 4
Proactive (retroactive) 13
Prodigious 10
Profound 5
Profusion (profuse) 6
Prohibitive 7
Proliferate (proliferation) 14
Prolific 8
Prompting (prompt) 9
Propensity 11
Prosaic 12

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Prospect (prospecting) 13
Protocol 14
Provocative 15
Proximity 16
Prudent 17
Purported 18
Qualitative 19
Quandary 20
Quantify 1
Quantitative 2
Quintessential 3
Ramifications 4
Rancor 5
Rash 6
Rebuffed 7
Recant 8
Reconcile 9
Redeem (Redeeming ) 8
Regress 10
Reiterate 11
Relinquish 12
Remit 13
Rendered 14
Repertoire 15
Repository 16
Reprove 17
Requisite (prerequisite) 18
Resolute resolution 19
Resonate (resonant) (resonating) 15
Respective 20
Reticent 1
Revere 2
Rhetoric 3
Rhetorical 4
Rift 5
Robust 6
Rudimentary 7
Sagacity (sagacious) 9
Salient (salience) 18
Sanguine 11
Savvy 12
Scalability (scalable) 13
Scintillating 20
Seamlessly 14
Semblance 16
Sententious 17
Simulate 19
Slander 20
Solace 1
Sporadic 2

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Staid 6
Staunch 3
Steadfast 4
Stoic 5
Streamline (streamlined) 7
Stringent 8
Subjective 9
Subside 10
Substantive 11
Succinct 12
Superfluous 13
Supersede 10
Symmetry (asymmetrical) 15
Synergy (synergistic) 16
Synthesis 17
Systematically 18
Tacit 19
Tandem 20
Tantalizing 1
Tantamount 2
Temper 3
Tenacity (tenacious) 5
Tentative 18
Tenuous 6
Tenure (tenure) 7
Trepidation 4
Trite 9
Trivial (trivialize) 10
Tumultuous 11
Turn-key 12
Tutelage 13
Ubiquitous 18
Umbrage 15
Uncanny 17
Unilateral 19
Unprecedented 8
Unwitting 14
Urbane 20
Usurp 16
Utilization 1
Vacillate 2
Vehement 3
Veracity 4
Verbose 5
Vernacular 6
Viable (vie) 7
Vigilant 8
Vigor 9
Vilify 10
Vindicate 11

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Waning (wane) 13
Wary 14
Wrest 15
Wry 16

346