Flashcards
magooshf2
Cards in this deck (59)
- 1buckresist
The profits at our firm bucked the general downturn that affected the real estate industry. - 2inadvertenthappening by chance or unexpectedly or unintentionally
Although Prohibition was rooted in noble ideals, the inadvertent and costly consequences of making alcohol illegal in the U.S. led to its repeal.
- 3glibspeaking with ease but without sincerity
I have found that the more glib the salesman, the worse the product.
- 4ranklegnaw into; make resentful or angry
His constant whistling would rankle her, sometimes causing her to leave in a huff.
- 5tawdrytastelessly showy; cheap and shoddy
Carol expected to find New York City magical, the way so many movies had portrayed it, but she was surprised how often tawdry displays took the place of genuine elegance.
- 6whimsicalplayful
Adults look to kids and envy their whimsical nature at times, wishing that they could act without reason and play without limitation.
- 7buckresist
The profits at our firm bucked the general downturn that affected the real estate industry. - 8banishexpel from a community, residence, or location; drive away
The most difficult part of the fast was banishing thoughts of food.
- 9pastoralrelating to the countryside in a pleasant sense
Those who imagine America's countryside as a pastoral region are often disappointed to learn that much of rural U.S. is filled with cornfields extending as far as the eye can see.
- 10toutadvertize in strongly positive terms; show off
At the conference, the CEO touted the extraordinary success of his company's Research & Development division. - 11maxima short saying expressing a general truth
Johnson initially suggests that the secret to business can be summarized in a single maxim but then requires a 300-page book to explain exactly what he means. - 12aphoristicsomething that is concise and instructive of a general truth or principle
Sometimes I can't stand Nathan because he tries to impress everyone by being aphoristic, but he just states the obvious.
- 13tactconsideration in dealing with others and avoiding giving offense
In a tremendous display of tact, Shelly was able to maintain a strong friendship with Marcia, even though Marcia's husband, Frank, confessed to finding Shelley more attractive than Marcia.
- 14devolvepass on or delegate to another
The company was full of managers known for devolving tasks to lower management, but never doing much work themselves.
- 15ekeTo live off meager resources, to scrape by
Stranded in a cabin over the winter, Terry was able to eke out an existence on canned food. - 16connivetaking part in immoral and unethical plots
With the help of the prince, the queen connived to overthrow the king.
- 17obstinateresistant to guidance or discipline; stubbornly persistent
The coach suggested improvements Sarah might make on the balance beam, but she remained obstinate, unwilling to modify any of the habits that made her successful in the past.
- 18impregnableimmune to attack; incapable of being tampered with
As a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were impregnable fortresses. - 19tarnishmake dirty or spotty, as by exposure to air; also used metaphorically
Pete Rose was one of the best baseball players of his generation, but his involvement with gambling on baseball games has tarnished his image in the eyes of many.
- 20savvya perceptive understanding
Although a great CEO, he did not have the political savvy to win the election.
- 21leeryopenly distrustful and unwilling to confide
Without checking his references and talking to previous employers, I am leery of hiring the candidate.
- 22brusquelyin a blunt, direct manner
Not one for social pleasantries, the Chief of Staff would brusquely ask his subordinates anything he wanted, even coffee.
- 23convolutedhighly complex or intricate
Instead of solving the math problem in three simple steps, Kumar used a convoluted solution requiring fifteen steps.
- 24steadfastmarked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable
A good captain needs to be steadfast, continuing to hold the wheel and stay the course even during the most violent storm.
- 25quipa witty saying or remark
In one of the most famous quips about classical music, Mark Twain said: "Wagner's music is better than it sounds."
- 26melancholya deep, long-lasting sadness
Hamlet is a figure of tremendous melancholy: he doesn't have a truly cheerful scene throughout the entire play.
- 27foolhardymarked by defiant disregard for danger or consequences
The police regularly face dangerous situations, so for a police officer not to wear his bullet-proof vest is foolhardy.
- 28cohesivewell integrated, forming a united whole
A well-written, cohesive essay will keep on topic at all times, never losing sight of the main argument.
- 29finagleachieve something by means of trickery or devious methods
Steven was able to finagle one of the last seats on the train by convincing the conductor that his torn stub was actually a valid ticket. - 30cavaliergiven to haughty disregard of others
Percy dismissed the issue with a cavalier wave of his hand.
- 31insipiddull and uninteresting
The movie director was known for hiring beautiful actors in order to deflect attention away from the insipid scripts he would typically use.
- 32rakishmarked by a carefree unconventionality or disreputableness
As soon as he arrived in the city, the rakish young man bought some drugs and headed straight for the seedy parts of town.
- 33wantonwithout check or limitation; showing no moral restraints to one's anger, desire, or appetites
Due to wanton behavior and crude language, the drunk man was thrown out of the bar and asked to never return.
- 34avertturn away
Afraid to see the aftermath of the car crash, I averted my eyes as we drove by.
- 35incumbentnecessary (for someone) as a duty or responsibility
Middle managers at times make important decisions, but real responsibility for the financial well-being of the corporation is ultimately incumbent on the CEO.
- 36ascribeattribute or credit to
History ascribes The Odyssey and The Iliad to Homer, but scholars now debate whether he was a historical figure or a fictitious name.
- 37piquanthaving an agreeably pungent taste
The chef, with a mere flick of the salt shaker, turned the bland tomato soup into a piquant meal.
- 38deridedtreat or speak of with contempt
The nun derided the students for trying to sneak insects and worms into the classroom. - 39clemencyleniency and compassion shown toward offenders by a person or agency charged with administering justice
In the final moments of the trial, during his closing speech, Phillips was nearly begging the judge for clemency.
- 40profusionthe property of being extremely abundant
When Maria reported that she had been visited by Jesus Christ and had proof, a profusion of reporters and journalists descended on the town.
- 41coalescefuse or cause to grow together
Over time, the various tribes coalesced into a single common culture with one universal language.
- 42consecrateto make holy or set apart for a high purpose
At the church of Notre Dame in France, the new High Altar was consecrated in 1182.
- 43vanquishcome out better in a competition, race, or conflict
For years, Argentina would dominate in World Cup qualifying matches, only to be vanquished by one of the European countries during the late stages of the tournament.
- 44dilapidatedin terrible condition
The main house has been restored but the gazebo is still dilapidated and unusable.
- 45paradoxicalseemingly contradictory but nonetheless possibly true
That light could be both a particle and a wave seems paradoxical, but nonetheless, it is true.
- 46miscreanta person who breaks the law
"Come back you miscreant!" yelled the woman who just had her purse stolen.
- 47balkrefuse to comply
The students were willing to clean up the broken glass, but when the teacher asked them to mop the entire floor, they balked, citing reasons why they needed to leave.
- 48stymiehinder or prevent the progress or accomplishment of
The engineers found their plans stymied at every turn and were ultimately able to make almost no progress on the project.
- 49malodoroushaving an unpleasant smell
Some thermally active fountains spew sulfur fumes--the air around them is sometimes so malodorous that many have to plug their noses.
- 50carpingpersistently petty and unjustified criticism
What seemed like incessant nagging and carping about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well.
- 51futileproducing no result or effect; unproductive of success
I thought I could repair the car myself, but after two days of work with no success, I have to admit that my efforts were futile.
- 52aphorisma short instructive saying about a general truth
Nietzsche was known for using aphorisms, sometimes encapsulating a complex philosophical thought in a mere sentence.
- 53sordidinvolving ignoble actions and motives; arousing moral distaste and contempt; foul and run-down and repulsive
The nightly news simply announced that the senator had had an affair, but the tabloid published all the sordid details of the interaction.
- 54viecompete for something
While the other teams in the division actively vie for the championship, this team seems content simply to go through the motions of playing.
- 55perquisitea right reserved exclusively by a particular person or group (especially a hereditary or official right)
Even as the dishwasher at the French restaurant, Josh quickly learned that he had the perquisite of being able to eat terrific food for half the price diners would pay.
- 56relegateassign to a lower position
When Dexter was unable to fulfill his basic duties, instead of firing him, the boss relegated him to kitchen cleanup.
- 57chivalrousbeing attentive to women like an ideal knight
Medieval tales are full of stories of chivalry, in which a young knight must commit deeds of heroism to win the hand of a fair maiden.
- 58staidcharacterized by dignity and propriety
Frank came from a staid environment, so he was shocked that his college roommate sold narcotics.
- 59debunkexpose as false ideas and claims, especially while ridiculing
Richard Dawkins tries to debunk religious belief, but his ridicule tends to push people away from his points rather than convince them.
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- magoosh flashcards Flashcards on magooshf2, created by rakshit muralinath on 13/11/2016.
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