(dih-SEET-fuhl), adjective
Tending or apt to deceive, lie, or cheat; misleading; false; fraudulent.
artifice (ARE-ti-fis). The use of clever strategies and cunning methods to fool or best others and tip an outcome in your favor.
“Every art and ARTIFICE has been practiced and perpetrated to destroy the rights of man.”
—Robert Ingersoll, American orator
charlatan (SHAR-luh-tun). A fake; fraud; a person falsely claiming to possess a given level of status, skills, or knowledge in order to deceive others.
The defendant, it has been claimed, is a CHARLATAN and a liar—but where is the evidence for this?
chicanery (shih-KAIN-uh-ree). Cheating or deception, especially through the use of language.
The way the candidate consistently quibbled about the precise meaning of his statements made me feel he was guilty of CHICANERY.
mountebank (MOUNT-uh-bank). A charlatan; one who sells worthless medicines, potions, and the like; a fake; an unscrupulous pretender.
The line between visionary romantic and common MOUNTEBANK, for my father, was often a thin one.
poseur (poh-ZUR). A person who attempts to impress or obtain the approval of others by assuming characteristics not truly his own; an affected person.
Whenever Bobby saw a POSEUR, he would comment: “Big hat, no cattle.”
red herring (red HAIR-ing). Something intended to mislead others from the real issue or problem; a deception.
The board of selectmen’s discussion of sewers was a RED HERRING and nothing to do with the increase in taxes.
sophistry (SOF-iss-tree). Subtly misleading argument or reasoning.
I believe this jury is too sophisticated to be taken in by the SOPHISTRIES the defense has offered.
subterfuge (SUB-tur-fyoodge). A misleading ruse or cunning evasion; a strategic avoidance employing deceit.
Nick knew he would have to come up with a clever SUBTERFUGE to get out of going to another boring Sunday dinner at his grandparents’ home.
wile (WILE). A clever trick meant to attain a goal; an instance of or talent for beguiling deceit.
Headquarters trusts, as always, that the information with which you have been entrusted is secure even from the WILES of a spy of the opposite sex.
duplicitous (doo-PLIS-ih-tus). Characterized by hypocritical deception or cunning; double-dealing.
His DUPLICITOUS behavior disappointed and hurt his friends, and eventually Mike found himself alone.
gullible (GULL-ih-bull). Easily cheated, tricked, or deceived.
I’m afraid Terry is a little too GULLIBLE to survive for long as an aspiring actor in a city like New York.
illusory (ih-LOO-suh-ree). Giving a false appearance of being real; seeming genuine but probably fake or deceptive.
After she moved to the beach, Lorna expected to feel joy but instead found that joy ILLUSORY.
insidious (in-SID-ee-uss). Designed to entrap; happening or spreading harmfully but subtly; stealthily and seductively treacherous.
Mark’s chess games were full of INSIDIOUS traps meant to lull his opponent into a sense of complacency.
Machiavellian (mack-ee-uh-VEL-ee-uhn). Somewhat unscrupulous and self-centered; always looking out for one’s own good.
We can hardly be called MACHIAVELLIAN simply because we do what we need to do to hold on to the luxurious lifestyle to which we have become accustomed.
perfidious (per-FID-ee-us). Faithless; treacherous; not able to be trusted.
Once again, Heather’s heart was broken by a PERFIDIOUS lover.
sanctimonious (sank-tih-MOAN-ee-us). Overbearingly self-righteous and smug in the (perhaps mistaken) belief that one’s opinion is correct; hypocritically righteous.
“Not but I’ve every reason not to care / What happens to him if it only takes / Some of the SANCTIMONIOUS conceit / Out of one of those pious scalawags.”
—Robert Frost, American poet
unctuous (UNK-chew-us). Possessing an untrustworthy or dubious nature; characterized by an insincere manner.
Local car dealers doing their own TV commercials often communicate in an UNCTUOUS, almost laughable manner.
bamboozle (bam-BOO-zul). To deceive; trick.
Fred was BAMBOOZLED out of $15,000 by a con artist who convinced him to invest money in nonexistent real estate.
dissemble (diss-SEM-bul). To act with an insincere or disguised motive.
Although many on the committee were convinced that the undersecretary was DISSEMBLING about how much he knew of rebel activities, there was no hard proof to support this view.
finagle (fih-NAY-gul). To wangle; to use clever, often underhanded methods to achieve one’s desires.
Justin FINAGLED his way into the press conference by borrowing a pass from another reporter.
purport (per-PORT). Claiming to be something you are not; pretending to do something you aren’t in fact doing.
“Doris Lessing PURPORTS to remember in the most minute detail the moth-eaten party dresses she pulled, at age thirteen, from her mother’s trunk.”
—Tim Parks, British novelist
wangle (WANG-guhl). To accomplish by underhanded methods.
Jennifer managed to WANGLE an invitation to the Clarksons’ party, even though she is the most gauche of the area’s parvenus.
guileless (GAHYL-lis). Without guile; candid; frank.
“There is a strange glow on the face of a GUILELESS person. Inner cleanliness has its own soap and water—the soap of strong faith and the water of constant practice.”
—Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Indian spiritual leader
veracious (vuh-RAY-shuss). Honest; truthful.
Your Honor, I ask that the defense’s assertion that none of the prosecution’s witnesses are VERACIOUS be stricken from the record.
(dih-KLAIR), verb
To make clearly known; state or announce in definite or formal terms; to announce officially or emphatically.
avowal (uh-VOW-uhl). An open admission or statement.
He had run as a Democrat for over thirty years, so his AVOWAL of support for the Republican ticket shocked many supporters.
postulate (PA-stew-late). A theory, belief, hypothesis, or principle based on an analysis of known facts.
“The primacy of human personality has been a POSTULATE both of Christianity and of liberal democracy.”
—Julian Huxley, English evolutionary biologist
allege (uh-LEJ). To state without proof; to declare as reason or excuse.
The media is usually quick to ALLEGE a celebrity’s mistake or wrongdoing in order to create interest.
aver (uh-VER). To assert the truthfulness of a statement.
“‘Has she no faults, then (Envy says), sir?’ / Yes, she has one, I must AVER: / When all the world conspires to praise her, / The woman’s deaf, and does not hear.”
—Alexander Pope, British poet
contend (kuhn-TEND). To maintain; to hold to be a fact; assert.
After years in prison, Arthur would still CONTEND his innocence.
tout (TOWT). To publicize in a boastful, extravagant manner.
The studio TOUTED its latest picture as “the greatest story ever told.”
gainsay (GANE-say). To deny, dispute, or contradict.
Michael has made no attempt to GAINSAY the persistent rumors that his family’s fortune rests solely on insider trading.
recant (rih-KANT). To withdraw or disavow formally.
“I cannot and will not RECANT anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.”
—Martin Luther, the father of Protestantism
(dee-FENSE), noun
Protection from harm or danger; guarding from attack; support against a foe.
aegis (EE-jis). The protection, support, and help rendered by a guardian, supporter, backer, or mentor.
Jill thinks she’s above reproach because she’s under the AEGIS of that marketing vice president with a penchant for younger women.
bastion (BAS-chuhn). An institution, individual, or something else protecting or preserving a particular way of life, society, set of beliefs, or moral code.
Cliff, a Yale BASTION, continuously quibbles with Irene, who graduated summa cum laude from Harvard.
bulwark (BULL-wark). A defensive, protective barrier, wall, or force.
“Since he aims at great souls, he cannot miss. But if someone should slander me in this way, no one would believe him. For envy goes against the powerful. Yet slight men, apart from the great, are but a weak BULWARK.”
—Sophocles, Greek tragedian
cannonade (can-non-AYD). A continuous, relentless bombardment or effort.
A CANNONADE of questioning greeted Eva’s statement that she was quitting the club’s tennis team.
muniment (MYOO-nuh-munt). A means of defense; in law, a document, such as a title or deed, used to defend or maintain rights or privileges.
Sam was prepared to support his claims to ownership and brought all the necessary MUNIMENTS to the hearing.
paladin (PAL-uh-din). A knight or heroic champion, a defender or advocate of a noble cause; any of the twelve peers who attended Charlemagne.
The fictional character of Superman represented society’s need for a PALADIN during the 1950s.
palisade (pal-ih-SADE). A defensive barrier or fence comprising a row of tall stakes driven into the ground; also, a line of steep cliffs along a river.
As we drove along the PALISADES of the river gorge, my wife and I lamented that we had forgotten to bring our camera.
adduce (uh-DUCE). To cite as an example or justification; to bring something forward for consideration.
I would ADDUCE the following reasons in support of rewriting the club charter.
forfend (for-FEND). To protect, defend, secure, etc.
After he bought a television with a fifty-five-inch screen, Keith bought an alarm system to FORFEND it.
indemnify (in-DEM-nih-fy). To protect from or provide compensation for damages; to shield against the loss, destruction, or damage of something.
This policy INDEMNIFIES my house against fire, flood, and burglary.
vindicate (VIN-dih-kate). To prove your opinion is correct, or your action justified, or that you are innocent of a misdeed you stand accused of, despite opinions and evidence to the contrary; to defend one’s rights.
We laughed at Paulette’s predictions about the imminent fall fashions, but, once the couture was unveiled, Paulette was VINDICATED.
untenable (uhn-TEN-uh-bull). Not possible to defend, as an argument or position.
“Are the legitimate compensation and honors that should come as the result of ability and merit to be denied on the UNTENABLE ground of sex aristocracy?”
—Bertha Honore Potter Palmer, American socialite
(dih-FYE-unht), adjective
Characterized by defiance; resistant or challenging; rebellious
contumacious (kon-too-MAY-shus). Obstinately resisting authority; disobedient; insubordinate.
The CONTUMACIOUS defendant eventually had to be gagged.
obstreperous (ob-STREP-er-us). Uncontrollably aggressive; defiant, boisterous.
Before announcing the plan for massive layoffs to his workers, the boss hired an extra security force to prevent certain OBSTREPEROUS persons from inciting a riot.
recalcitrant (rih-KAL-sih-trunt). Unwilling to cooperate voluntarily; resisting control or authority; hesitant to step forward and do what one is asked or told to do.
On the witness stand, the mobster was RECALCITRANT and uncommunicative.
renitent (ri-NAHYT-int). Steadfastly resisting pressure, constraint, or compulsion.
Dorothy’s RENITENT efforts proved superior to her mother’s attempts to modify her behavior.
subversive (sub-VER-siv). Describes an act performed to challenge or overthrow the authority of those in power.
“If sex and creativity are often seen by dictators as SUBVERSIVE activities, it’s because they lead to the knowledge that you own your own body.”
—Erica Jong, American author and teacher
beard (BEERD). To defy boldly, oppose.
To ensure the measure would pass, supporters needed to be ready to BEARD the opposition.
contravene (kon-truh-VEEN). To go against or deny; to oppose something by action or argument.
The orders I left were to be CONTRAVENED by no one but the colonel.
remonstrate (rih-MON-strate). To protest, object, or to show disapproval.
When Carlotta REMONSTRATED our snubbing of Julia, we simply began to snub Carlotta as well.
restive (RESS-tihv). Impatient and stubborn; contrary.
Audrey was so worked up about her first summer abroad that her excitement came across as RESTIVE.
dissentient (dih-SEN-shunt). A person who dissents, especially in opposition to the majority opinion.
The group of close-knit political activists, for all their discussion of free thought, could never tolerate a true DISSENTIENT.
recusancy (REK-yuh-zun-see). The refusal to recognize or obey established authority.
At one time, an individual’s religious RECUSANCY could result in punishment.
sedition (sih-DISH-uhn). An action that promotes discontent or rebellion against authority.
In an act of childish SEDITION, Alex quit the club after we refused to play a round of golf with him.
milquetoast (MILK-toast). An unassertive, timid, spineless person who is easily intimidated.
Unless you just want to be a pencil-pusher all your life, you’ve got to stop being such a MILQUETOAST, Arthur!
verecund (VER-ih-kuhnd). Bashful; modest.
Paul’s VERECUND manner makes it difficult to carry on a conversation with him.
(dih-ZAHYR), verb
To want or crave.
ardor (AHR-der). Emotional warmth; passion; eagerness; intense devotion.
The author’s ARDOR for the environment is obvious in all of his writings.
aspiration (ass-puh-RAY-shun). Goal; desire; something one wishes to achieve.
Marco, whose ASPIRATION was to be a concert violinist, practiced his instrument at least eight hours a day.
desideratum (deh-sih-deh-RAH-tum). Something that one covets or desires.
Ever since she was an adolescent, Evangeline’s DESIDERATUM has been a first edition of Virginia Woolf’s first novel, The Voyage Out.
ebullition (ebb-uh-LISH-un). A sudden outpouring of strong emotion; passion.
The concert closed with an inspired EBULLITION from the entire orchestra.
yen (YEN). A strong desire or urge.
“Perhaps one subtext of the health care debate is a YEN to be treated like a whole person, not just an eye, an ear, a nose or a throat.”
—Anna Quindlen, American author and opinion columnist
covet (KUHV-it). To strongly desire; to desire something that another person has.
As a young boy, I was taught not to COVET my neighbor’s tricycle.
esurient (ih-SOOR-ee-uhnt). Hungry; greedy; voracious.
Because he was raised by wolves, Jack often displayed ESURIENT habits.
orectic (aw-REK-tik). Characterized by appetite or desire.
Unfortunately, Michael was compelled by ORECTIC thoughts about girls to the exclusion of any interest in schoolwork.
wistful (WIHST-full). Yearning, pensive; having an unfulfilled desire.
“I never saw a man who looked / With such a WISTFUL eye / Upon that little tent of blue / Which prisoners call the sky.”
—Oscar Wilde, Irish playwright and poet
animosity (an-ih-MOS-ih-tee). Strong dislike for; open and active hostility toward.
“Life appears to me too short to be spent nursing ANIMOSITY, or registering wrongs.”
—Charlotte Bronte, English novelist
spurn (SPURN). To reject with scorn; disdain.
“If the riches of the Indies, or the crowns of all the kingdoms of Europe, were laid at my feet in exchange for my love of reading, I would SPURN them all.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, American poet
(dih-TUR-mind), adjective
Having one’s mind made up; settled; decided; resolved.
indefatigable (in-deh-FAT-uh-guh-bull). Capable of continuing along one’s current course of action without wavering, tiring, or faltering.
“We are truly INDEFATIGABLE in providing for the needs of the body, but we starve the soul.”
—Ellen Wood, British playwright
indomitable (in-DOM-ih-tuh-bull). Not easily discouraged or subdued; unyielding; unconquerable.
When it came to a cause she believed in, Paula’s INDOMITABLE spirit was not to be denied.
intractable (in-TRACK-tuh-bull). Difficult to control or manage; stubborn.
“It is precisely here, where the writer fights with the raw, the INTRACTABLE, that poetry is born.”
—Doris Lessing, British author
intransigent (in-TRANZ-ih-gent). Stubborn; refusing to consider opinions other than one’s own.
“Lamont stared for a moment in frustration but Burt’s expression was a clearly INTRANSIGENT one now.”
—Isaac Asimov, Russian-born American author and biochemist
obdurate (OB-doo-rit). Stubborn and unyielding; hardhearted; unsympathetic.
“The fates are not quite OBDURATE; / They have a grim, sardonic way / Of granting them who supplicate / The thing they wanted yesterday.”
—Roselle Mercier Montgomery, American poet
obstinate (AHB-stih-nit). Inflexible in one’s opinions and attitudes; refusing to change or accede to the wishes of others.
“The male sex still constitutes in many ways the most OBSTINATE vested interest one can find.”
—Francis Pakenham, British social reformer
pertinacious (per-tih-NAY-shuss). Persistent or obstinate to the point of annoyance.
The car salesman’s PERTINACIOUS patter caused me to leave the lot immediately.
resolute (REZ-uh-loot). Unyielding in determination; firm of purpose.
We remain RESOLUTE on the question of the hostages: they must be released without precondition.
sedulous (SEJ-yuh-luss). Done or crafted with perseverance, diligence, and care.
The teen’s SEDULOUS labors at the desert site were rewarded by the discovery of triceratops bones in the third week of the dig.
staunch (STONCH). Firm in resolution or belief; fixed.
Mr. West, a STAUNCH conservative, believed that government waste was the main problem requiring attention in Washington.
tenacious (tuh-NAY-shuss). Persistent, stubborn, obstinate.
“Women are TENACIOUS, and all of them should be TENACIOUS of respect; without esteem they cannot exist; esteem is the first demand that they make of love.”
—Honoré de Balzac, French novelist and playwright
indurate (IN-doo-rate). To become hard; harden; stubborn.
His friends were concerned that Paul’s rejection by his latest girlfriend would INDURATE him to future relationships.
falter (FAWL-ter). To act hesitantly; show uncertainty; waver.
“We shall neither fail nor FALTER; we shall not weaken or tire. . . . Give us the tools and we will finish the job.”
—Winston Churchill, British prime minister
vacillate (VAS-uh-layt). To waver; show indecision; be irresolute.
“It seems to me that the problem with diaries, and the reason that most of them are so boring, is that every day we VACILLATE between examining our hangnails and speculating on cosmic order.”
—Ann Beattie, American novelist
(DIF-er-ense), noun
The condition, quality, state, or fact of being unlike something else; dissimilarity.
anomaly (An-AHM-ah-lee). An exception to the norm; something different and unexpected that logically should not exist.
“After a thousand meters of this broken-field walking, Mitsuno came upon an ANOMALY: a patch of sand perhaps ten meters square.”
—Fred Pohl and Thomas Thomas, American science fiction authors
dichotomy (die-KOT-uh-me). Division into two parts, especially into two seemingly contradictory parts.
A DICHOTOMY between good and evil is present in every human heart.
heretic (HER-eh-tik). A person who boldly, loudly, and publicly defies the conventions of a religion, society, culture, or set of beliefs.
“The HERETIC is always better dead. And mortal eyes cannot distinguish the saint from the HERETIC.”
—George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright
imparity (ihm-PAR-ih-tee). Inequality or disparity.
There is little, if any, IMPARITY between the chateaubriand offered at the two bistros.
nuance (NOO-ahnts). A subtle difference in meaning, expression, or tone.
“[Venice] in winter is rich with the bittersweet NUANCE and somber beauty of the once-was.”
—Terry Weeks, American travel writer
asynchronous (ay-SINK-crow-nuss). At different times; acting or functioning with no regularity or discernible time schedule.
Maggie’s ASYNCHRONOUS habits drive her friends crazy because they can never make advance plans with her.
disparate (dis-PAHR-at). Describes two or more things that differ greatly from one another and cannot be logically reconciled.
“As if, as if, as if the DISPARATE halves / Of things were waiting in a betrothal known / To none.”
—Wallace Stevens, American modernist poet
dissimilar (dih-SIM-uh-ler). Not similar; unlike.
The twins may look alike but their personalities are DISSIMILAR.
incommensurable (in-co-MEN-ser-uh-bull). Two things that cannot be measured or judged by the same standards.
“Two men who perceive the same situation differently but employ the same vocabulary in its discussion speak from INCOMMENSURABLE viewpoints.”
—Thomas Kuhn, American philosopher
analogous (an-AL-a-gus). Similar or comparable in some respects.
“You expect far too much of a first sentence. Think of it as ANALOGOUS to a good country breakfast: what we want is something simple, but nourishing to the imagination.”
—Larry McMurtry, American novelist
cognate (KOG-neyt). Having the same nature or quality.
After taking a course in linguistics, David was struck by the COGNATE nature of languages despite the fact that many arose in isolation.
See also: Opposite
(DIF-ih-kult), adjective
Not easy to do, make, or understand; requiring significant labor, skill, or knowledge to be performed successfully.
abstruse (ab-STROOS). Arcane, complex, difficult to understand and learn.
Bob began to wish there was, in fact, a Santa Claus because he found the “simple instructions” to his son’s bicycle far too ABSTRUSE.
arduous (AR-joo-us). Requiring exceptional effort or care; mentally or physically challenging; laborious.
Stacy has been preparing all week for the ARDUOUS marathon competition.
anfractuous (an-FRACK-chuh-wuss). Full of windings and intricacies, like a good mystery novel.
The novel’s ANFRACTUOUS plot worked on paper, but it became stupefyingly confusing—actually, just plain stupid—onscreen.
byzantine (BIZ-un-teen). Convoluted; overly complicated; difficult to figure out because of its complexity.
We found it impossible to follow the BYZANTINE plot of how Eileen made Mariah a laughingstock by replacing her Prada shoes with nearly identical knockoffs.
circuitous (sir-CUE-uh-tuss). Extremely twisty and winding; indirect.
Blanche called it a shortcut, but her CIRCUITOUS route caused us to arrive very late to the party.
herculean (her-kyuh-LEE-uhn). Of extraordinary power or difficulty. Often capitalized because the word alludes to Hercules.
“We found it a HERCULEAN effort not to chortle at the outlandish clothing of the nouveau riche attendees of our party,” said Lillian. “How inappropriate to wear evening attire to an afternoon garden party!”
impalpable (im-PAL-puh-bull). Difficult to understand easily; or, intangible.
“The soul is so IMPALPABLE, so often useless, and sometimes such a nuisance, that I felt no more emotion on losing it than if, on a stroll, I had mislaid my visiting card.”
—Charles Baudelaire, French poet, critic, and translator
insuperable (in-SOO-per-uh-bull). Not possible to overcome or surmount.
“Conceit is an INSUPERABLE obstacle to all progress.”
—Ellen Terry, British actress
onerous (OH-nerr-us). Describes a difficult task or heavy responsibility that one does not desire.
Caring for his son’s large aquarium quickly went from an interesting hobby to an ONEROUS burden.
asperity (a-SPARE-ih-tee). Something hard to endure; roughness; harshness.
Sorry, I can’t handle the ASPERITY of his politics. Could we skip the speech?
conundrum (kuh-NUN-drum). A difficult problem or situation that is not easily resolved.
Knowing whether to attend MIT, Yale, or Harvard was quite a CONUNDRUM: MIT had the courses he wanted, but Harvard and Yale offered him full sports scholarships.
labyrinth (LA-buh-rinth). A mazelike series of connected tunnels and passages through which it is difficult to find one’s way.
He ran, terrified, as the Minotaur chased him throughout the LABYRINTH.
morass (muh-RASS). A confusing or troublesome situation from which it is difficult to disentangle oneself.
“One idea is enough to organize a life and project it / Into unusual but viable forms, but many ideas merely / Lead one thither into a MORASS of their own good intentions.”
—John Ashbery, American poet
nodus (NOH-dus). A difficult point; knotty situation, such as in a story or play.
Jason reached a NODUS in his relationship with Gail and was determined to find a solution while there was still a chance.
straits (STRAYTS). A position of difficulty and challenge, often brought on by making bad decisions.
After a series of bad investments, I found myself in dire financial STRAITS.
elementary (el-uh-MEN-tuh-ree). Of first principles; of the rudiments or fundamentals of something; introductory; simple.
“By respect for life we become religious in a way that is ELEMENTARY, profound, and alive.”
—Albert Schweitzer, German missionary and theologian
facile (FASS-ill). Accomplished easily and with little effort.
“Sometimes there is a greater lack of communication in FACILE talking than in silence.”
—Faith Baldwin, American author
(DUR-tee), adjective
Unclean; soiled with dirt; foul; vile; mean.
bedraggled (bee-DRAG-eld). Harried or in a condition of disarray; unkempt; dirty and limp.
A group of BEDRAGGLED orphans stood outside begging by the flickering gaslight.
sordid (SAWR-did). Characterized by grossness or baseness; vile; wretched; squalid.
The movie opened with a scene showing the hero boldly walking into a SORDID tenement house to find the villain.
contaminate (kuhn-TAM-uh-neyt). To make unclean, impure, or corrupt by contact; to make unusable or harmful by adding impure materials.
If the reactor is breached, the cooling water will CONTAMINATE the bay and render its marine life radioactive.
defile (dih-FILE). To pollute; to corrupt or make unclean.
The river that only a few years ago ran clean and clear is now DEFILED with a witches’ brew of chemicals, thanks to the new tanning plant.
sully (SUL-ee). To besmear or make foul; to cast aspersions.
I will not allow you to SULLY the good name of my family with such baseless accusations.
taint (TEYNT). To make morally corrupt; to infect, contaminate, or spoil; to affect with something harmful or unpleasant.
The senator’s actions, no matter how noble in intent, are forever TAINTED by his previous transgressions.
squalor (SKWAL-ur). The state or quality of being filthy.
My mother knew full well that my roommates were not the tidiest men in the world, but she still seemed shocked when confronted with the unrepentant SQUALOR of our apartment.
hygienic (hahy-jee-EN-ik). Promoting health; healthful; sanitary.
Aunt Charlotte’s HYGIENIC practices made it quite possible to eat off her floors.
immaculate (ih-MAK-yuh-lit). Perfectly clean; without a spot or stain; unsoiled.
“His words are bonds, his oaths are oracles; his love sincere, his thoughts IMMACULATE; his tears pure messengers sent from his heart; his heart as far from fraud, as heaven from earth.”
—William Shakespeare
(dis-uh-GREE), verb
To differ; dissent; to quarrel about or disapprove of something.
demur (di-MURR). To make an objection on the grounds of scruples.
“Assent, and you are sane; / DEMUR,—you’re straightway dangerous, / And handled with a chain.”
—Emily Dickinson, American poet
deprecate (DEPP-rih-kate). To express severe disapproval of another’s actions.
“Those who profess to favor freedom and yet DEPRECATE agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground.”
—Frederick Douglass, American abolitionist and orator
gainsay (GANE-say). To deny, dispute, or contradict.
Michael has made no attempt to GAINSAY the persistent rumors that his family’s fortune rests solely on insider trading.
harangue (ha-RANG). Verbally accost; yell at; berate.
“But on that hot July day she breaks—HARANGUING strangers in the street.”
—Oliver Sacks, British neurologist
inveigh (in-VAY). To protest or complain strongly.
The crowd INVEIGHED against the governor’s decision to commute Davidson’s sentence.
negate (nih-GATE). To cause to be ineffectual; to deny; to reverse.
I imagine that double hot fudge sundae I ate completely NEGATED the effects of my morning exercises.
apostasy (A-PA-stah-see). The act of abandoning, ignoring, or openly flaunting an accepted principle or belief.
“It was his idea of grand APOSTASY to drive to the reform synagogue on the high holidays and park his pink-eye nag among the luxurious, whirl-wired touring cars of the rich.”
—Saul Bellow, American author
dissidence (DISS-uh-dents). Strong disagreement, especially with a government.
The newly-formed government decided to crack down on DISSIDENCE by jailing anyone who disagreed with governmental policies.
bilious (BILL-yuss). Having a nasty temperament or disagreeable disposition; to be “full of bile” and hatred.
The polo team’s BILIOUS captain made his team miserable as he proceeded to criticize their every move.
discordant (dis-KOR-dunt). Conflicting; lacking in harmony.
I find that composer’s DISCORDANT style difficult to listen to.
dyslogistic (diz-luh-JISS-tick). Showing disapproval or censure.
We gave Elizabeth DYSLOGISTIC glances when she told us she had decided to stop shopping at Cartier.
amenable (ah-MEE-nah-bull). Readily agreeable to the wishes and desires of others.
Mark considers himself AMENABLE, but the rest of us just think he’s a pushover.
complaisant (kuhm-PLAY-zuhnt). Agreeable and eager to please.
Eleanor is far too COMPLAISANT with common strangers.
(dis-ON-ist), adjective
Not honest; the tendency to lie, cheat, or steal; untrustworthy; fraudulent.
collusive (kuh-LOO-siv). Involving or characterized by collusion; conspiring for fraudulent purposes.
The brothers’ COLLUSIVE tendencies were well known to high school administration.
disingenuous (diss-in-JEN-yoo-uss). Not inclined toward open dealing; less than truthful; other than appearances would suggest; insincere.
The mayor’s carefully worded denials never explicitly touched on her involvement in her campaign’s alleged effort to buy votes, leading many to conclude that she was being DISINGENUOUS.
duplicitous (doo-PLIS-ih-tus). Characterized by hypocritical deception or cunning; double-dealing; intentionally deceptive.
His DUPLICITOUS acts were second nature to Jim after years of living on the mean streets of Newark.
knavish (NAY-vish). Untrustworthy, dishonest, and mischievous.
Despite, or perhaps because of, his KNAVISH behavior, Jonathan is always a success at our society balls.
smarmy (SMAR-mee). Insincerely earnest.
In between syrupy love songs, the SMARMY lounge singer repeatedly assured the crowd is was by far the best audience he’d ever performed for.
unconscionable (un-KONSH-un-uh-bul). Lacking in principles or conscience; beyond any reasonable boundary.
Your decision to destroy those letters without attempting to get permission from the poet’s widow was UNCONSCIONABLE.
covin (KUV-in). In law, a conspiracy of two or more people to defraud or swindle others.
After the coven members were found guilty, their COVIN made newspaper headline fodder for days.
grifter (GRIFF-ter). A person who engages in unseemly activities; a swindler, a dishonest gambler, etc.
The small-town bar was filled with reprobates, toothless legions, and GRIFTERS. I felt right at home.
pettifoggery (PET-ee-fog-er-ee). Petty dishonesty or trickery.
“Let’s put all this PETTIFOGGERY behind us,” said Mr. Powers, “and start dealing with each other in a more straightforward manner.”
rogue (roag). A scoundrel; a dishonest person; a person known to have low morals and habits.
Everyone in Savannah knew that Rhett was a ROGUE, but somehow he managed to use that fact to his advantage.
bilk (BILK). To swindle or cheat.
The accountant, investigators learned, had been BILKING the company of nearly a quarter of a million dollars a year.
filch (FILCH). To steal, especially to steal petty amounts or inexpensive goods.
Brian is proud of how many motel towels he’s FILCHED over the years.
mulct (MUHLKT). To get something from someone else by fraud or extortion; swindle.
The con man MULCTED ten bucks from the unsuspecting couple.
perjure (PUR-jer). To lie or give false and misleading testimony; to commit the crime of testifying to something one knows is untrue.
Although Mr. Frattori was not convicted on the main charges he faced, he may serve time in prison for having PERJURED himself during the trial.
purloin (PURR-loin). To steal or to take by dishonest means.
Bobby PURLOINED almost all the contents of his dad’s change jar before being discovered.
conscionable (KON-shuh-nuh-buhl). That which agrees with one’s ideas of right and wrong; just.
Arthur and Carolyn considered their relationship with friends and neighbors and tried to treat everyone as CONSCIONABLE people would.
reputable (REP-yuh-tuh-buhl). Respectable; honorable.
When a natural disaster occurs, an unfortunate result is the appearance of charitable organizations that are not completely REPUTABLE.
(DUHL), adjective
Lacking sensitivity or spirit; causing boredom; tedious.
aseptic (uh-SEP-tick). Lacking emotion or vibrancy.
Jordan’s ASEPTIC performance at the job interview is probably the reason he didn’t get the job, despite his qualifications.
banal (buh-NAHL). Trite; lacking originality.
Aaron always dismissed the insights of the other philosophers as BANAL, but I for one never heard him utter a single profound idea.
bourgeois (BOO-zhwah). Characteristic of the middle class; having material concerns, an interest in respectability, and a tendency toward mediocrity.
Dave is so BOURGEOIS he goes to a liquor store across town so his neighbors won’t know he drinks.
bromidic (bro-MID-ick). Trite and commonplace.
The marketing executive groaned as one BROMIDIC ad campaign after another crossed her desk.
insipid (in-SIP-id). Lacking in vigor; dull.
In Frank’s opinion, the novel’s plot was INSIPID and left much to be desired.
jaded (JAY-dud). Worn out; dulled or satiated due to overindulgence.
Her parents thought that providing Tracy with everything her heart desired as a child would make her a happy person, but she grew up to be a JADED and selfish woman.
lackluster (LACK-lus-tur). Dull; not shiny or brilliant.
Wanda’s LACKLUSTER performance as Hedda Gabler led one critic to remark that she probably had a long career ahead of her in the theater—as a stage weight.
mundane (mun-DANE). Ordinary, practical, or everyday.
Everett’s concerns were MUNDANE enough: keep a roof over his head, track down the occasional meal.
pedestrian (puh-DESS-tree-uhn). Lacking in originality or vitality.
If you really want to advance in this company, you’re going to have to come up with something better than the PEDESTRIAN ideas we’ve already tried and rejected.
trite (TRYTE). Lacking in effectiveness or freshness due to continual use and excessive repetition; hackneyed; stale.
“The TRITE subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible.”
—Albert Einstein
vapid (VA-pid). Dull; void of intellectual curiosity or intelligence; lacking spirit and enthusiasm; dull, routine, unchallenging.
What irked him most about his sister-in-law were her VAPID stares in response to simple questions, conversation, and jokes.
pabulum (PAB-yuh-lum). Writing or speech that is simplistic, insipid, or bland.
Christie could be counted on to deliver the sort of PABULUM that would distract the media from the real and sordid activities of the actor.
exuberant (ig-ZOO-ber-uhnt). Overflowing with spirit; uninhibitedly enthusiastic; abounding in vitality.
“Nothing ever succeeds which EXUBERANT spirits have not helped to produce.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche, German philosopher
provocative (pruh-VOK-uh-tiv). Tending to provoke; inciting; stimulating.
Andrew’s visits to the art museum filled him with PROVOCATIVE images and gave him new energy.
See also: Ordinary