VOCABULARY LISTS

Impressive Words
April 18, 2012 By Andrew M.

unquali ed
not meeting the proper standards and requirements

vigorous
characterized by forceful and energetic action or activity

industrious
characterized by hard work and perseverance

adequate
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

uniform
clothing of distinctive design worn by members of a group

proportionate
being in due magnitude or extent
equitable
fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience

adventurous
willing to undertake new and daring enterprises

gossipy
prone to friendly informal communication

adverse
in an opposing direction

antagonistic
characterized by feelings of intense dislike or hostility

hostile
characterized by enmity or ill will

advisable
worthy of being recommended or suggested; prudent or wise

advantageous
giving a bene t
expedient
appropriate to a purpose

a able
di using warmth and friendliness

di dent
showing modest reserve

a ectionate
having or displaying warmth or a ection

tender
easy to cut or chew

a uent
having an abundant supply of money or possessions of value

opulent
rich and superior in quality

abundant
present in great quantity
ample
more than enough in size or scope or capacity

allurement
the power to entice or attract through personal charm

snare
a trap for birds or small mammals; often has a slip noose

torment
intense feelings of su ering; acute mental or physical pain

indignation
a feeling of righteous anger

resentment
a feeling of deep and bitter anger and ill-will

animate
make lively

impel
urge or force to an action; constrain or motivate
instigate
provoke or stir up

embolden
give encouragement to

animosity
a feeling of ill will arousing active hostility

malice
feeling a need to see others su er

enmity
a state of deep-seated ill-will

annul
cancel o cially

anxiety
a vague unpleasant emotion in anticipation of a misfortune

solicitude
a feeling of excessive concern
apparent
clearly revealed to the mind or the senses or judgment

ostensible
appearing as such but not necessarily so

plausible
apparently reasonable and valid, and truthful

specious
plausible but false

appropriate
suitable for a particular person, place, or situation

arrogate
seize and take control without authority

usurper
one who wrongfully seizes and holds the place of another

enthusiasm
a feeling of excitement
sympathy
sharing the feelings of others, especially sorrow or anguish

aptitude
inherent ability

capacity
capability to perform or produce

arbitrary
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference

dictatorial
characteristic of an absolute ruler or absolute rule

domineering
tending to rule in a cruel manner

imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority

sculpture
a three-dimensional work of plastic art
ardent
characterized by intense emotion

impatient
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

keen
intense or sharp

vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions

dispute
the act of coming into con ict

artful
not straightforward or candid

wily
marked by skill in deception

insincere
lacking the quality of being open and truthful
disingenuous
not straightforward or candid

arti cial
contrived by art rather than nature

soulless
lacking sensitivity or the capacity for deep feeling

hectic
marked by intense activity or agitation

assemble
create by putting components or members together

amass
collect or gather

accumulate
get or gather together

acquire
come into the possession of something concrete or abstract
assiduity
great and constant diligence and attention

industry
the action of making of goods and services for sale

vigilance
the process of paying close and continuous attention

assiduity
great and constant diligence and attention

assurance
a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something

persuasion
communication intended to induce belief or action

delity
the quality of being faithful

diligence
conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task
august
profoundly honored

magnanimous
noble and generous in spirit

distinguished
standing above others in character or attainment

authoritative
of recognized power or excellence

independent
free from external control and constraint

arbitrary
based on or subject to individual discretion or preference

avaricious
immoderately desirous of acquiring something

grasping
immoderately desirous of acquiring e.g. wealth
miserly
characterized by or indicative of lack of generosity

parsimonious
excessively unwilling to spend

aversion
a feeling of intense dislike

repugnance
intense aversion

vicious
having the nature of evildoing

babble
utter meaningless sounds

prate
speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly

chatter
talk socially without exchanging too much information
prattle
speak about unimportant matters rapidly and incessantly

barbarous
able or disposed to in ict pain or su ering

brutal
resembling a beast; showing lack of human sensibility

inhuman
without compunction or compassion

base
lowest support of a structure

abject
of the most contemptible kind

hideous
grossly o ensive to decency or morality; causing horror

bearing
characteristic way of holding one's body
deportment
the way a person behaves toward other people

manner
how something is done or how it happens

entreat
ask for or request earnestly

implore
call upon in supplication

supplicate
ask for humbly or earnestly, as in prayer

doctrine
a belief accepted as authoritative by some group or school

boorish
ill-mannered and coarse in behavior or appearance

clownish
like a clown
uncultivated
(of land or elds) not prepared for raising crops

boundless
seemingly limitless in amount, number, degree, or extent

immeasurable
impossible to calculate

breadth
the extent of something from side to side

brilliant
full of light; shining intensely

elegant
re ned and tasteful in appearance, behavior, or style

faithful
loyal and reliable

broaden
make broader
extend
stretch out over a distance, space, time, or scope

augment
enlarge or increase

vocation
the particular occupation for which you are trained

candid
openly straightforward and direct without secretiveness

ingenuous
lacking in sophistication or worldliness

captious
tending to nd and call attention to faults

petulant
easily irritated or annoyed

peevish
easily irritated or annoyed
splenetic
of or relating to the spleen

cautious
showing careful forethought

discreet
marked by prudence or modesty and wise self-restraint

provident
giving something useful for the future

positive
characterized by or displaying a rmation or acceptance

unquestionable
incapable of being questioned

chagrin
strong feelings of embarrassment

vexation
anger produced by some annoying irritation
morti cation
strong feelings of embarrassment

disposition
your usual mood

temperament
your usual mood

reputation
the general estimation that the public has for a person

charm
attractiveness that interests or pleases or stimulates

fascinate
attract; cause to be enamored

bewitch
cast a spell over someone or something

captivate
attract; cause to be enamored
animate
make lively

vivify
give new life or energy to

exhilaration
the feeling of lively and cheerful joy

chie y
for the most part

principally
for the most part

especially
to a distinctly greater extent or degree than is common

environment
the totality of surrounding conditions

claim
assert or a rm strongly
compel
force somebody to do something

fastidious
giving careful attention to detail

frugal
avoiding waste

re ned
cultivated and genteel

distinct
constituting a separate entity or part

obvious
easily perceived by the senses or grasped by the mind

intelligible
capable of being apprehended or understood

snobbish
characteristic of those who incline to social exclusiveness
coarse
rough to the touch

o ensive
unpleasant or disgusting especially to the senses

nauseous
causing a sick feeling

coax
in uence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or attering

wheedle
in uence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or attering

persuade
cause somebody to adopt a certain position or belief

cogitate
consider carefully and deeply

contemplate
think intently and at length, as for spiritual purposes
meditate
re ect deeply on a subject

ponder
re ect deeply on a subject

frigid
extremely cold

unfeeling
devoid of feeling for others

stoical
seeming una ected by pleasure or pain; impassive

authoritative
of recognized power or excellence

imperative
requiring attention or action

peremptory
putting an end to all debate or action
compassion
a deep awareness of and sympathy for another's su ering

goodwill
a disposition to kindness and compassion

admiration
a feeling of delighted approval and liking

enthusiasm
a feeling of excitement

con rm
strengthen or make more rm

establish
set up or found

sustain
lengthen or extend in duration or space

strengthen
make strong or stronger
conform
be similar, be in line with

distort
twist and press out of shape

involve
contain as a part

misinterpret
construe wrongly

consistent
the same throughout in structure or composition

congruous
corresponding in character or kind

rm
not soft or yielding to pressure

harmonious
exhibiting equivalence or correspondence among constituents
self-possessed
in full control of your faculties

copious
large in number or quantity

sonorous
full and loud and deep

emotional
of or pertaining to feelings

timid
showing fear and lack of con dence

timorous
timid by nature or revealing timidity

absurd
inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense

nonsensical
having no intelligible meaning
preposterous
inviting ridicule

crude
belonging to an early stage of technical development

jagged
having a sharply uneven surface or outline

pitiless
without mercy or sympathy

daring
a challenge to do something dangerous or foolhardy

cordial
politely warm and friendly

discerning
having or revealing keen insight and good judgment

optimistic
hopeful that the best will happen in the future
dimness
the state of being poorly illuminated

dullness
without sharpness or clearness of edge or point

deadly
causing or capable of causing death

fatal
bringing death

implacable
incapable of being appeased or paci ed

deceit
the quality of being fraudulent

delusion
a mistaken or unfounded opinion or idea

treachery
an act of deliberate betrayal
sham
something that is a counterfeit; not what it seems to be

abstruse
di cult to penetrate

profound
situated at or extending to great depth

de cient
inadequate in amount or degree

inadequate
lacking the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task

scanty
lacking in amplitude or quantity

determine
nd out or learn with certainty, as by making an inquiry

circumscribe
draw a geometric gure around another gure
degrade
reduce in worth or character, usually verbally

defame
charge falsely or with malicious intent

debase
make impure by adding a foreign or inferior substance

delicacy
the quality of being exquisitely ne in appearance

daintiness
the quality of being beautiful and delicate in appearance

tact
consideration in dealing with others

re nement
the result of improving something

palatable
acceptable to the taste or mind
democracy
the orientation of those who favor government by the people

dismiss
stop associating with

exclude
prevent from entering; shut out

repudiate
refuse to acknowledge, ratify, or recognize as valid

deprive
take away

dispossess
deprive of the possession of real estate

divest
take away possessions from someone

despoil
steal goods; take as spoils
describe
give a statement representing something

delineate
represented accurately or precisely

depict
give a description of

characterize
be typical of

contrived
showing e ects of planning or manipulation

executed
put to death as punishment

desperate
a person who is frightened and in need of help

reckless
marked by de ant disregard for danger or consequences
irremediable
impossible to correct or redress

despicable
morally reprehensible

abject
of the most contemptible kind

servile
submissive or fawning in attitude or behavior

destructive
causing damage

detrimental
causing harm or injury

deleterious
harmful to living things

subversive
in opposition to an established system or government
desultory
marked by lack of de nite plan or regularity or purpose

discursive
tending to cover a wide range of subjects

unmethodical
not e cient or methodical

desultory
marked by lack of de nite plan or regularity or purpose

detestable
o ensive to the mind

abominable
unequivocally detestable

discord
lack of agreement or harmony

estrangement
separation resulting from hostility
arduous
characterized by e ort to the point of exhaustion

intricate
having many complexly arranged elements; elaborate

perplexing
lacking clarity of meaning

di use
spread out; not concentrated in one place

discursive
tending to cover a wide range of subjects

rambling
spreading out in di erent directions

diligence
conscientiousness in paying proper attention to a task

attention
the act of concentrating on something
assiduity
great and constant diligence and attention

disagreement
a con ict of people's opinions or actions or characters

discrepancy
a di erence between con icting facts or claims or opinions

divergence
moving away in di erent direction from a common point

disconsolate
sad beyond comforting; incapable of being consoled

desolate
providing no shelter or sustenance

pessimistic
expecting the worst possible outcome

discrimination
unfair treatment of a person or group based on prejudice
acuteness
the quality of having a sharp edge or point

insight
clear or deep perception of a situation

judgment
the act of assessing a person or situation or event

loathing
hate coupled with disgust

abhorrence
hate coupled with disgust

dissatis ed
in a state of sulky dissatisfaction

unsettled
still in doubt

satirical
exposing human folly to ridicule
distinct
constituting a separate entity or part

distinguished
standing above others in character or attainment

illustrious
widely known and esteemed

eminent
standing above others in quality or position

disturbed
having the place or position changed

distressed
feeling general unhappiness

bewildered
perplexed by many con icting situations or statements

docile
easily handled or managed
tractable
easily managed

compliant
disposed to act in accordance with someone's wishes

teachable
ready and willing to be taught

dogmatic
pertaining to a code of beliefs accepted as authoritative

bigoted
blindly and obstinately attached to some creed or opinion

libelous
harmful and often untrue; tending to discredit or malign

unsympathizing
not showing or expressing sympathy

indecision
the trait of irresolution
perplexity
trouble or confusion resulting from complexity

dread
fearful expectation or anticipation

repugnance
intense aversion

dreary
lacking in liveliness or charm or surprise

dispirited
showing no enthusiasm

peevish
easily irritated or annoyed

tiresome
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

uninteresting
arousing no interest or attention or curiosity or excitement
dubious
fraught with uncertainty or doubt

equivocal
open to two or more interpretations

uctuating
having unpredictable ups and downs

dull
so lacking in interest as to cause mental weariness

painstaking
characterized by extreme care and great e ort

conscientious
characterized by extreme care and great e ort

forcible
impelled by physical force especially against resistance

adequate
having the requisite qualities or resources to meet a task
potent
having or wielding force or authority

emaciated
very thin especially from disease or hunger or cold

scraggy
having a sharply uneven surface or outline

meager
de cient in amount or quality or extent

attenuated
reduced in strength

ceaseless
uninterrupted in time and inde nitely long continuing

immutable
not subject or susceptible to change or variation

imperishable
not subject to destruction or death or decay
eagerness
a positive feeling of wanting to push ahead with something

earnestness
the trait of being serious

enthusiasm
a feeling of excitement

elevate
raise from a lower to a higher position

intensify
increase in extent

enormous
extraordinarily large in size or extent or degree

prodigious
great in size, force, extent, or degree

colossal
so great in size or force or extent as to elicit awe
enrage
make someone extremely or violently angry

incense
make furious

infuriate
make furious

exasperate
make furious

intensity
high level or degree

zeal
a feeling of strong eagerness

envy
a desire to have something that is possessed by another

deception
a misleading falsehood
equitable
fair to all parties as dictated by reason and conscience

reasonable
showing sound judgment

equivocal
open to two or more interpretations

uncertain
lacking or indicating lack of con dence or assurance

ambiguous
having more than one possible meaning

eradicate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots

extirpate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots

exterminate
kill on a large scale
annihilate
kill in large numbers

extirpate
destroy completely, as if down to the roots

erroneous
containing or characterized by error

faulty
having a defect

inexact
not exact

eternal
continuing forever or inde nitely

unchangeable
not changeable or subject to change

unerring
not liable to error
misfortune
a state resulting from unfavorable outcomes

corruption
use of a position of trust for dishonest gain

exacting
severe and unremitting in making demands

suspicious
openly distrustful and unwilling to con de

irritable
easily annoyed

wayward
resistant to guidance or discipline

dignify
confer dignity or honor upon

elevate
raise from a lower to a higher position
extol
praise, glorify, or honor

inquiry
an instance of questioning

scrutiny
the act of examining something closely, as for mistakes

exceed
be or do something to a greater degree

outdo
be or do something to a greater degree

surpass
be or do something to a greater degree

transcend
go beyond the scope or limits of

exceptional
surpassing what is common or usual or expected
abnormal
not typical or usual or regular

diversion
a turning aside

stimulation
the act of arousing an organism to action

exhaustive
performed comprehensively and completely

expend
use up, consume fully

dissipate
cause to separate and go in di erent directions

squander
spend thoughtlessly; throw away

facile
arrived at without due care or e ort; lacking depth
showy
super cially attractive and stylish

super cial
of, a ecting, or being on or near the surface

dignity
the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

fanatic
a person motivated by irrational enthusiasm

enthusiast
an ardent supporter of some person or activity

visionary
a person with unusual powers of foresight

zealot
a fervent and even militant proponent of something

fanciful
indulging in or in uenced by the imagination
grotesque
distorted and unnatural in shape or size

vagary
an unexpected and inexplicable change in something

caprice
a sudden desire

fastidious
giving careful attention to detail

poised
marked by balance or equilibrium and readiness for action

contingency
the state of being dependent on something

fatuous
devoid of intelligence

moony
lighted by moonlight
impracticable
not capable of being carried out or put into practice

timidity
fear of the unknown or fear of making decisions

cowardice
the trait of lacking courage

pusillanimity
contemptible fearfulness

feeble
pathetically lacking in force or e ectiveness

languid
lacking spirit or liveliness

timid
showing fear and lack of con dence

irresolute
uncertain how to act or proceed
ferocious
marked by extreme and violent energy

restive
being in a tense state

savage
without civilizing in uences

uncultivated
(of land or elds) not prepared for raising crops

fervent
characterized by intense emotion

anxious
causing or fraught with or showing anxiety

zealous
marked by active interest and enthusiasm

falsehood
an untrue statement
fabrication
the act of making a product from raw materials

fragile
easily broken or damaged or destroyed

delicate
developed with extreme subtlety

dainty
something considered choice to eat

rmness
the trait of being resolute

steadfastness
steadfast resolution

stability
the quality or attribute of being rm and steadfast

tenacity
persistent determination
glare
be sharply re ected

at
having a surface without slope

insipid
lacking interest or signi cance or impact

monotonous
sounded or spoken in a tone unvarying in pitch

uctuating
having unpredictable ups and downs

hesitating
lacking decisiveness of character

vacillating
uncertain in purpose or action

oscillating
having periodic vibrations
folly
the trait of acting stupidly or rashly

imbecility
mental retardation

fatuity
a ludicrous folly

foolhardy
marked by de ant disregard for danger or consequences

hasty
excessively quick

fop
a man who is overly concerned with his dress and appearance

coxcomb
the eshy red crest on the head of the domestic fowl and other gallinaceous birds

force
in uence that results in motion, stress, etc. when applied
vigor
forceful exertion

precise
sharply exact or accurate or delimited

sti
incapable of or resistant to bending

methodical
characterized by orderliness

prosperous
in fortunate circumstances nancially

fragile
easily broken or damaged or destroyed

frail
physically weak

brittle
having little elasticity
delicate
developed with extreme subtlety

familiarity
personal knowledge or information about someone or something

liberty
freedom of choice

independence
freedom from control or in uence of another or others

direful
causing fear or dread or terror

dreadful
exceptionally bad or displeasing

frivolous
not serious in content or attitude or behavior

tri ing
not worth considering
petty
small and of little importance

fertile
capable of reproducing

proli c
intellectually productive

productive
capable of bringing forth, especially abundantly

vain
characteristic of false pride

trivial
(informal) small and of little importance

foolish
lacking good sense or judgment

frustrate
hinder or prevent, as an e ort, plan, or desire
disappoint
fail to meet the hopes or expectations of

thwart
hinder or prevent, as an e ort, plan, or desire

abundantly
in an abundant manner

furious
marked by extreme anger

impetuous
characterized by undue haste and lack of thought

boisterous
full of rough and exuberant animal spirits

vehement
marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions

gaiety
a joyful feeling
merriment
activities that are enjoyable or amusing

hilarity
great merriment

gallant
having or displaying great dignity or nobility

ardent
characterized by intense emotion

self-sacri cing
willing to deprive yourself

garnish
decorate, as with parsley or other ornamental foods

embellish
make more attractive, as by adding ornament or color

beautify
make more beautiful
generous
willing to give and share unstintingly

candid
openly straightforward and direct without secretiveness

independent
free from external control and constraint

aptitude
inherent ability

genteel
marked by re nement in taste and manners

re ned
cultivated and genteel

polished
perfected or made shiny and smooth

persuasive
intended or having the power to induce action or belief
a ective
characterized by emotion

una ected
undergoing no change when acted upon

ghastly
shockingly repellent; inspiring horror

grim
harshly uninviting or formidable in manner or appearance

hideous
grossly o ensive to decency or morality; causing horror

gibe
laugh at with contempt and derision

mock
treat with contempt

taunt
harass with persistent criticism or carping
jeer
laugh at with contempt and derision

giddy
lacking seriousness; given to frivolity

ckle
liable to sudden unpredictable change

ighty
guided by whim and fancy

gleam
a ash of light

glimmer
a ash of light

gloomy
depressingly dark

dismal
causing dejection
dejected
a ected or marked by low spirits

noble
of or belonging to hereditary aristocracy

resplendent
having great beauty

glut
supply with an excess of

gorge
a deep ravine, usually with a river running through it

cloy
supply or feed to surfeit

satiate
ll to satisfaction

venerable
profoundly honored
solid
not soft or yielding to pressure

stately
impressive in appearance

digni ed
formal or stately in bearing or appearance

pompous
pu ed up with vanity

contemplative
deeply or seriously thoughtful

profound
situated at or extending to great depth

avarice
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth

covetousness
reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth
cupidity
extreme greed for material wealth

gross
lacking ne distinctions or detail

academic
associated with an educational institution

vulgar
of or associated with the great masses of people

indiscriminate
failing to make or recognize distinctions

habit
an established custom

method
a way of doing something, especially a systematic way

exquisite
delicately beautiful
accomplished
highly skilled

innocent
free from sin

innocuous
not injurious to physical or mental health

ino ensive
giving no o ense

harmony
compatibility in opinion and action

sublimity
nobility in thought or feeling or style

harsh
disagreeable to the senses

discordant
not in agreement or harmony
hasty
excessively quick

super cial
of, a ecting, or being on or near the surface

impatient
restless or short-tempered under delay or opposition

desultory
marked by lack of de nite plan or regularity or purpose

soothe
cause to feel better

console
give moral or emotional strength to

assuage
provide physical relief, as from pain

healthy
free from in rmity or disease
hale
exhibiting or restored to vigorous good health

sluggish
moving slowly

dejected
a ected or marked by low spirits

hallowed
worthy of religious veneration

sacred
made or declared or believed to be holy

consecrated
made or declared or believed to be holy

homely
lacking in physical beauty or proportion

hideous
grossly o ensive to decency or morality; causing horror
horrid
grossly o ensive to decency or morality

unsightly
unpleasant to look at

honor
a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction

virtue
the quality of doing what is right

program
a series of steps to be carried out

hospitable
disposed to treat guests and strangers with generosity

generous
willing to give and share unstintingly

tolerant
showing or characterized by broad-mindedness
kindly
in a kind manner or out of kindness

hasty
excessively quick

fervent
characterized by intense emotion

ery
like or suggestive of a ame

humane
marked by concern with the alleviation of su ering

submissive
inclined or willing to give in to orders or wishes of others

unostentatious
not ostentatious

imagination
the ability to form mental images of things or events
conception
the creation of something in the mind

idleness
the trait of being idle out of a reluctance to work

recreation
an activity that diverts or amuses or stimulates

repose
freedom from activity

ignominious
deserving or bringing disgrace or shame

infamous
known widely and usually unfavorably

despicable
morally reprehensible

contemptible
deserving of contempt or scorn
illumine
make lighter or brighter

instruct
impart skills or knowledge to

enlighten
give spiritual insight to

inform
impart knowledge of some fact, state or a airs, or event to

sensitive
responsive to physical stimuli

nervous
of or relating to a system of sensory apparatus

impatience
irritation with anything that causes delay

indolence
inactivity resulting from a dislike of work
inconclusiveness
the quality of being inconclusive

impel
urge or force to an action; constrain or motivate

stimulate
cause to act in a speci ed manner

animate
make lively

inspirit
infuse with spirit

imperious
having or showing arrogant superiority

wayward
resistant to guidance or discipline

empirical
derived from experiment and observation rather than theory
improvident
not supplying something useful for the future

incautious
lacking in caution

prodigal
recklessly wasteful

thriftless
careless of the future

impudent
improperly forward or bold

insolent
marked by casual disrespect

irrelevant
having no bearing on or connection with the subject at issue

o cious
intrusive in a meddling or o ensive manner
inadvertency
the trait of forgetting or ignoring your responsibilities

negligence
failure to act with the prudence of a reasonable person

oversight
an unintentional omission from failure to notice something

indecision
the trait of irresolution

lassitude
a feeling of lack of interest or energy

indi erence
the trait of remaining calm and seeming not to care

indolent
disinclined to work or exertion

passive
lacking in energy or will
sluggish
moving slowly

slothful
disinclined to work or exertion

ine ectual
not producing an intended consequence

unavailing
producing no result or e ect

infamy
a state of extreme dishonor

disgrace
a state of dishonor

infantile
of or relating to babies

dutiful
willingly obedient out of a sense of respect
informal
not in accord with established conventions and requirements

unconventional
not conforming to standards

insolent
marked by casual disrespect

impudent
improperly forward or bold

impertinent
improperly forward or bold

ippant
showing inappropriate levity

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