p
(adj.) mocking; cynical
He has a wry sense of humor which sometimes hurts people’s feelings.
paean
(n.) a song of praise or triumph
A paean was written in honor of the victorious warrior.
pagan
(adj.) polytheistic
Moses, distraught over some of his people’s continuing pagan ways, smashed the stone tablets bearing the Ten
Commandments.
painstaking
(adj.) thorough, careful, precise
Helga’s painstaking research paid off with a top grade on her essay.
palatial
(adj.) large and ornate, like a palace
The new palatial home contained two pools and an indoor track for jogging. palindrome (n.) a word or phrase which
reads the same backwards and forwards Bob, “Dad,” and “Madam” are examples of palindromes. palliate (v.) to
alleviate or ease pain but not cure; to make appear less serious The medication will help palliate the pain.
The lawyer attempted to palliate the offense to the jury.
pallid
(adj.) pale in color
The visitor left the hospital room with a pallid face.
pallor
(n.) lack of facial color
The more vivid the testimony grew, the more the witness seemed to take on a ghostly pallor.
palpable
(adj.) touchable; clear, obvious
The palpable decision was to discontinue the use of drugs. On a flight that had included a sudden 5,000-foot drop,
the passengers’ relief upon landing was palpable .
panegyric
(n.) high praise
Upon his retirement, he received a great panegyric from many of his associates.
His panegyric to his opponent stood in sharp contrast to the harsh tenor of the campaign.
paradigm
(n.) model, prototype; pattern
The machine could no longer be produced after the paradigm was destroyed.
The Massachusetts gubernatorial race was considered a paradigm of campaign civility. paradox (n.) a tenet
seemingly contradictory or false, but actually true The paradox seemed so unlikely though it was true. At first blush,
the company’s results were a paradox: Sales were down, yet profits were up. parapet (n.) a wall for protection; a low
wall or railing The parapet protected the kingdom from the raging army. The parapet kept the child from falling into
the river.
paraphernalia
(n.) equipment; accessories
She looked guilty since the drug paraphernalia was found in her apartment.
pariah
(n.) an outcast
The pariah of the group sat by himself under the tree. parity (n.) state of being the same in power, value, or rank
When the younger brother was promoted to co-president with the elder son, it established parity between the two.
parley
(v.) to speak with another; to discourse
I will parley the information to the appropriate person.
parochial
(adj.) religious; narrow-minded
Devout Christians, the Chesterfields enrolled their children in a parochial school.
Governor Kean urged Republicans to rise above parochial interests and be the party of inclusion. parody (n.) a piece
of work imitating another in a satirical manner; a poor imitation The play was a parody of the Prince and Princess’s
marital difficulties. Ugh! This is a parody of a fashionable dress!
parry
(v.) to avoid; to ward off
I dislike talking to the woman so I will attempt to parry her by ducking around the corner. parse (v.) to separate (a
sentence) into parts and describe the function of each An English teacher may ask a student to parse a sentence.
parsimonious
(adj.) very frugal; unwilling to spend
The owner was so parsimonious he refused to purchase new curtains when the old ones fell off the window.
The parsimonious individual argued that twenty-five cents was much too expensive for a pack of gum. parsimony (n.)
to be unreasonably careful when spending The parsimony of the wealthy woman was uncalled for. partisan (n.; adj.)
supporter; follower; biased; one-sided The union president is a partisan of minimum-wage legislation. A partisan for
the incumbent mayor will not support the challenger.
passive
(adj.) submissive; unassertive
He is so passive that others walk all over him.
paucity
(n.) scarcity
The described feast was actually a buffet with a paucity of food. pavilion (n.) a large tent or covered area, usually
used for entertainment The wedding pavilion was not only beautifully decorated, but also served as welcome
protection from a sudden downpour.
peccadillo
(n.) a slight fault or offense
The child was embarrassed when he was caught committing the peccadillo of eating chocolate before dinner.
pecuniary
(adj.) pertaining to money
The retiring employee was delighted when he received a pecuniary gift.
pedagogue
(n.) a teacher
Seeing the way she worked with children there was no doubt she was a true pedagogue. pedantic (adj.) emphasizing
minutiae or form in scholarship or teaching Professor Jones’s lectures were so pedantic that his students sometimes
had a tough time understanding the big picture. It is important to understand pedantic terminology before beginning
a lecture.
pedestrian
(adj.) mediocre; ordinary
We expected the meal to be exceptional, but it was just pedestrian.
pejorative
(adj.) making things worse
The pejorative comment deepened the dislike between the two families.
pellucid
(adj.) transparent
The pellucid material was not an adequate shield from the sun.
penchant
(n.) a liking for
I have a penchant for all flavors of ice cream.
penitent
(adj.) feeling sorry for what one has done
The burglar expressed his penitent feelings during his confession.
pensive
(adj.) reflective; contemplative
She was in a pensive mood, just wanting to be alone to think. My hours alone are often more pensive than the time I
spend with friends.
The pensive mood was broken by a witty joke.
penurious
(adj.) stingy, miserly
The penurious man had millions of dollars, but lived in a cottage to save money.
Charles Dickens’ Scrooge is the most penurious character in any of his tales.
perceptive
(adj.) full of insight; aware
The perceptive detective discovered that the murder weapon was hidden in a safe under the floor.
percussion
(n.) striking one object against another
The loud percussion of the hunter’s gunshot startled the birds.
perdition
(n.) ruination
The perdition of the building was caused by the strong quake. peremptory (adj.) barring future action; that cannot be
denied, changed, etc. The peremptory means of defense was satisfactory to keep out the intruders.
The wildcat strike was a peremptory move on the part of the workers.
perfidious
(adj.) faithless; treacherous
The trust between the business associates was broken after the perfidious actions by one of the partners. perfunctory
(adj.) done in a routine, mechanical way, without interest Change in career is a good cure for someone who has
become bored with their occupation and is currently performing their duties in a perfunctory fashion.
The girl will not improve unless she changes her perfunctory attitude.
peripheral
(adj.) marginal; outer
Those are peripheral problems; let’s look at the central challenge.
The peripheral shrubs were used to create a fence-like blockade. He thought he was my best friend, when in fact, he
was a peripheral acquaintance.
perjury
(n.) the practice of lying
The already sensational trial of a star athlete turned all the more so when it turned out that a police detective had
committed perjury. Lying while on the witness stand is perjury.
permeable
(adj.) porous; allowing to pass through
Because the material was permeable, the water was able to drain.
pernicious
(adj.) dangerous; harmful
Standing oil combined with a fresh rain on the asphalt can have a pernicious impact on a driver’s control of the
road. The pernicious fire engulfed four blocks of homes.
perpetual
(adj.) never ceasing; continuous
Perpetual pain keeps the woman from walking.
perquisite
(n.) extra payment; a tip
After working overtime, I had enough money to make a perquisite on my loan.
pertinent
(adj.) related to the matter at hand
During a trial everyone should concentrate on the same subject, stating only pertinent information.
peruse
(v.) to read carefully; to study
A vast majority of time was spent perusing the possible solution to the dilemma.
pervade
(v.) to occupy the whole of
Her perfume was so strong that it pervaded the whole room.
pervasive
(adj.) spreading throughout
The home was filled with the pervasive aroma of baking bread. pessimism (n.) seeing only the gloomy side;
hopelessness After endless years of drought, pessimism grew in the hearts of even the most dedicated farmer.
petty
(adj.) unimportant; of subordinate standing
With all of the crime in the world, stealing bubble gum is considered petty theft.
petulant
(adj.) peevish; cranky; rude
The long illness put the boy in a petulant mood. The tone of his voice and the things that he says become quite
petulant when he has not gotten enough sleep. phenomenon (n.) exceptional person; unusual occurrence Not for
nothing do they call Yankee Stadium “The House that Ruth Built”-the Babe was a phenomenon.
The northern lights are a rare phenomenon for those not living near the Arctic Circle.
philanthropy
(n.) charity; unselfishness
After years of donating time and money to the children’s hospital, Mrs. Elderwood was commended for her
philanthropy. phlegmatic (adj.) without emotion or interest; sluggish and dull The playwright had hoped his story
would take theatergoers on an emotional roller coaster, but on opening night they just sat there, stonefaced and
phlegmatic.
The phlegmatic child rarely went outside to play.
phobia
(n.) morbid fear
Fear of heights is a not uncommon phobia.
pied
(adj.) colored, blotched together
The extreme heat caused the colors to become pied.
pinioned
(adj.) bound fast
The two rafts were pinioned by steel wire.
pious
(adj.) religious; devout; dedicated
The religious couple believed that their pious method of worship would bring them eternal life.
The statues of the saints have pious symbolism. Many people think of this land as pious territory. pique (n.; v.)
resentment at being slighted; to provoke Being passed over for the promotion aroused his pique. The more he
piqued her, the redder she grew.
pithy
(adj.) terse and full of meaning
Columnist William Safire, a former presidential speech writer, has a way with words that often yields pithy comments.
pittance
(n.) a small amount
The reward money was only a pittance compared to the money lost. The little girl received a pittance every week for
keeping her room clean.
placate
(v.) to appease or pacify
The entire family attempted to placate the stubborn child. With a soothing voice and the promise of a juicy steak,
the trainer placated the escaped lion so that he wouldn’t hurt anyone.
placid
(adj.) undisturbed and calm
The placid lake’s water was completely motionless.
plaintive
(adj.) being mournful or sad
His wife’s death made Sam plaintive.
platonic
(adj.) idealistic or impractical; not amorous or sensual The platonic advice of the doctor was to stay away from all
odors. Our relationship is platonic now, but I hope it will someday be otherwise.
plausible
(adj.) probable; feasible
After weeks of trying to determine what or who was raiding the chicken coop, the farmer came up with a plausible
explanation. After scrimping and saving for a decade, it was now plausible to send his daughter to college.
plenary
(adj.) full; entire; complete
A plenary class of students staged the protest.
plethora
(n.) a superabundance
There was a plethora of food at the royal feast.
plumb
(adj.; v.) perfectly straight down; to solve
The two walls met plumb at the corner.
I was able to plumb the riddle in a few seconds.
polemic
(adj.) controversial
The polemic decision caused a stir in the community.
polemicist
(n.) a person skilled in argument
The polemicist could debate any case skillfully. pommel (n.) the rounded, upward-projecting front of a saddle The
woman was so nervous about being on the horse she would not let go of the pommel.
ponderous
(adj.) unwieldy from weight; dull or labored
The ponderous piano posed a serious challenge to having it pulled up to the 16th floor.
As if being grainy wasn’t bad enough, the film’s ponderous story made it tough to get through.
portend
(v.) to be an omen of; signify
The distant roll of thunder portends of an oncoming storm. potable (adj.; n.) drinkable; a beverage that is drinkable
The liquid was not potable, but rather poisonous. Sea water isn’t potable. potent (adj.) having great power or
physical strength He took very potent medication and felt better immediately.
pragmatic
(adj.) matter-of-fact; practical
Since they were saving money to buy a new home, the pragmatic married couple decided not to go on an expensive
vacation. A pragmatic solution to the car’s continual repairs would be to purchase a new car.
prate
(v.) talking foolishly; chatter
It is not uncommon for people to prate when they become nervous about speaking to a superior. prattle (n.; v.)
childish babble; to babble while speaking I’ve listened to his prattle for far too long.
The toddler does more prattling than talking. precarious (adj.) depending upon another; risky, uncertain The
precarious plans fell through when the second couple changed their plans.
My position in the negotiations was precarious at best.
precept
(n.) a rule or direction of moral conduct
The organization believed their members should abide by certain precepts. precipitate (v.; adj.) to cause to happen;
happening quickly A rude comment may precipitate an argument. The precipitating flood caught the village off-
guard.
preclude
(v.) inhibit; make impossible
A healthy diet and lifestyle will not preclude you from getting ill, although it improves your immune system.
Exercise may help to preclude heart disease. precocious (adj.) developed or matured earlier than usual The
precocious eight year-old wanted to read the romance novel. predecessor (n.) one who has occupied an office
before another Although her predecessor did not accomplish any goals that would help the poor, the new mayor was
confident that she could finally help those in need.
prefatory
(adj.) coming before
The prefatory comments informed the audience of what was to come.
premise
(n.) the basis for an argument
The prosecutor claimed that the defense lawyer’s premise was shaky, and thus his whole argument was suspect.
preponderate (adj.) to outweigh; to be superior in amount, weight, etc. His positive qualities are the preponderate
ones over his occasional rudeness. presage (n.) an omen; a foreshadowing characteristic They considered the
rainbow at their wedding a presage for a happy life. Bright sun in the morning was a good presage that it was going
to be a good day. prescience (n.) knowing about something before it happens The morning of the big game I had a
prescience that we would win.
prescriptive
(adj.) done by custom; unbending
At the heart of the Australian aborigines’ prescriptive coming-of-age rite for men is a walkabout.
prevalent
(adj.) generally occurring
Rain is usually more prevalent than snow during April. prevaricate (v.) to speak equivocally or evasively, i.e., to lie
The mayor’s desperate attempt to prevaricate about the scandal was transparent to the voters.
His mother knew no one else could have done it, but the child foolishly prevaricated about the stain on the rug.
pristine
(adj.) primitive, pure, uncorrupted
The pristine lake had not been marred by pollution. She had such a pristine look about her, you would have thought
she was an angel.
privy
(adj.) private; confidential
He was one of a handful of people privy to the news of the pending merger.
Only the woman’s best friend was privy to her secret.
probity
(n.) honesty
The young man’s probity was reassuring to the fearful parent. problematic (adj.) being hard to deal with; unsolved
situation The constant squeak of the door was problematic. The tense political struggle remains problematic.
prodigal
(adj.) wasteful; lavish
The actor’s prodigal lifestyle ultimately led to his undoing. Spending his rent money on your birthday present was
more than generous, it was prodigal.
The prodigal gift by the poor woman was truly a thoughtful gesture.
prodigious
(adj.) wonderful; enormous
The prodigious festivities lasted until the wee hours of the morning.
The Empire State Building required a prodigious amount of steel to erect.
profound
(adj.) deep; knowledgeable; thorough
It was with profound regret and sorrow that the family had to leave their homeland for a more prosperous country.
profusion (n.) great wastefulness; a large abundance of The profusion of the food-fight was unforgivable considering
the worldwide hunger problem.
The profusion of uneaten food was sent to the shelter.
The wet winter brought about a profusion of mosquitoes.
progeny
(n.) children; offspring
It is through his progeny that his name shall live on. The princes were the progeny of royalty. program (n.) the parts
of entertainment; a plan for dealing with a matter; coded instructions The free-form music program on Sunday nights
is virtually unique in commercial radio.
The program for better health is to eat more vegetables and fruits. The store’s computer program allows sale
information to prompt at the register for certain items at certain hours.
proliferate
(v.) to reproduce quickly
Gerbils are known to proliferate quickly.
prolific
(adj.) fruitful
The merger resulted in a prolific business which became an asset to the community. promontory (n.) a piece of land
jutting into a body of water The boat hit the rocky promontory, splitting the bow.
propagate
(v.) to reproduce or multiply
Rabbits and gerbils are said to propagate quickly.
propensity
(n.) a natural tendency towards; bias
I have a propensity to talk too fast.
She has a propensity to hire men over women. propinquity (n.) closeness in time or place; closeness of relationship
The propinquity of the disasters put the community in chaos. The propinquity of the two stories was the basis of the
teacher’s lesson.
propitiate
(v.) to win the goodwill of
If I try my best I will hopefully propitiate my new supervisor.
prosaic
(adj.) tiresome; ordinary
He wanted to do something new; he was tired of the prosaic activities his parents suggested each day.
The only entertainment would be a prosaic game of cards. proselytize (v.) to convert from one belief or religion to
another The preacher often attempts to proselytize wayward travelers. protocol (n.) an original draft or record of a
document The protocol was given to the president once it was completed. proverbial (adj.) well-known because it is
commonly referred to King Solomon’s proverbial wisdom has been admired through the ages.
provident
(adj.) prudent; economical
It was provident, in his opinion, to wait and buy the new car when he was financially secure.
provincial
(adj.) regional; unsophisticated
After living in the city for five years, he found that his family back home on the farm was too provincial for his
cultured ways. proviso (n.) A clause stating a condition or stipulation The governor began the conference with a
proviso stating the disastrous results of the flood.
provocative
(adj.) tempting; irritating
In the movie Roger Rabbit, the animated Jessica Rabbit demurs when she’s told she’s provocative, saying that she’s
only drawn that way. The U.S. considered the invasion of Kuwait a provocative action.
provoke
(v.) to stir action or feeling; arouse
By calling him names, he was provoking a fight.
- quaff
(v.) drinking deeply
A dog will quaff if he becomes overheated.
quagmire
(n.) marshy land
The vehicle became stuck in the quagmire.
quaint
(adj.) old-fashioned; unusual; odd
One of the best qualities of the bed-and-breakfast was its quaint setting in the charming English village.
qualified
(adj.) experienced, indefinite
She was well qualified for the job after working the field for ten years.
qualm
(n.) sudden feeling of uneasiness or doubt
His qualms about flying disappeared once the plane landed softly.
quandary
(n.) dilemma
Joe and Elizabeth were caught in a quandary: Should they spend Thanksgiving with his parents or hers?
Unable to make a firm decision, I’ve been in this quandary for weeks. When the car broke down the commuter was
left in a quandary. quarantine (n.) isolation of a person or persons to prevent the spread of disease To be sure they
didn’t bring any contagions back to Earth, the astronauts were put under quarantine when they returned.
quiescence
(n.) state of being at rest or without motion
After a tough day on the shipping dock, one needs quiescence.
A period of quiescence is useful to calm the nerves.
quiescent
(adj.) inactive, at rest
Everyone deserves a day off and should remain quiescent on Sundays. The Bible says that the Lord created the
Earth in six days and on the seventh He was quiescent.
quintessence
(n.) the pure essence of anything
This story is the quintessence of American fiction.
quirk
(n.) peculiar behavior; startling twist
Nobody’s perfect-we all have our quirks.
Our vacation went smoothly save for one quirk-a hurricane that came barreling into the coastline as we were
preparing to head home. The plot of that movie had so many quirks that it became very hard to follow.
Always needing to put the left shoe on first is a peculiar quirk. quixotic (adj.) foolishly idealistic; romantically
idealistic; extravagantly chivalrous He was popular with the ladies due to his quixotic charm. She had a quixotic
view of the world, believing that humans need never suffer. rabid (adj.; n.) furious; with extreme anger; a disease
affecting animals The insult made him rabid.
Discovering that the dog was rabid, the mail carrier knew he’d have to get a shot.
He’s been a rabid sports fan for as long as I have known him.
raconteur
(n.) a person skilled at telling stories
Our entertainment was a raconteur who told a story of talking animals. ramification (n.) the arrangement of branches;
consequence One of the ramifications of driving fast is getting a speeding ticket.
rampant
(adj.) growing unchecked; widespread
Social unrest was rampant because of the lack of food available to the people.
rampart
(n.; v.) a defense; to defend
The ramparts where beginning to crumble.
rancid
(adj.) having a bad odor
Left out too long, the meat turned rancid.
rancor
(n.) strong ill will; enmity
Her rancor for the man was evident in her hateful expression. Sure they had their disagreements, but there was no
rancor between them. rant (v.) to speak in a loud, pompous manner; rave He disputed the bill with the shipper,
ranting that he was dealing with thieves.
rapacious
(adj.) using force to take
Rapacious actions were needed to take the gun from the intruder.
ratify
(v.) to make valid; confirm
The Senate ratified the new law that would prohibit companies from discriminating according to race in their hiring
practices. Hunters were called in to rarefy the deer population. rationalize (v.) to offer reasons for; account for on
rational grounds His daughter attempted to rationalize why she had dropped out of college, but she could not give
any good reasons. raucous (adj.) disagreeable to the sense of hearing; harsh; hoarse The raucous protesters stayed
on the street corner all night, shouting their disdain for the whale killers. raze (v.) to scrape or shave off; to obliterate
or tear down completely The plow will raze the ice from the road surface. It must be time to give the cat a manicure;
she razed my skin last night. They will raze the old Las Vegas hotel to make room for a $2.5 billion gambling palace.
realm
(n.) an area; sphere of activity
In the realm of health care, the issue of who pays and how is never far from the surface.
The bounding islands were added to the realm of the kingdom.
rebuff
(n.) a blunt refusal to offered help
The rebuff of her aid plan came as a shock.
rebuttal
(n.) refutation
The lawyer’s rebuttal to the judge’s sentencing was to present more evidence to the case.
recalcitrant
(adj.) stubbornly rebellious
The boy became recalcitrant when the curfew was enforced. The recalcitrant youth dyed her hair purple, dropped
out of school, and generally worked hard at doing whatever others did not want her to do.
recession
(n.) withdrawal; economic downturn
Oscar’s gum recession left him with sensitive teeth. Soaring unemployment in the nation’s industrial belt triggered
recession. recidivism (n.) habitual or chronic relapse of criminal or antisocial offenses Even after intense therapy the
parolee experienced several episodes of recidivism, and was eventually sent back to prison. reciprocal (adj.) mutual;
having the same relationship to each other Hernando’s membership in the Picture of Health Fitness Center gives him
reciprocal privileges at 245 health clubs around the U.S. Although his first child was adopted, she had a reciprocal
relationship with her father. recluse (adj.; n.) solitary; a person who lives secluded His recluse life seems to make him
happy.
Howard Hughes, among the most famous and enigmatic figures of the 20th century, ultimately retreated to a life as a
recluse.
recondite
(adj.) hard to understand; concealed
The students were dumbfounded by the recondite topic. Many scientific theories are recondite, and therefore not
known at all by the general public.
rectify
(v.) correct
The service manager rectified the shipping mistake by refunding the customer’s money.
recumbent
(adj.) resting
The recumbent puppy stirred.
recusant
(adj.) disobedient of authority
Recusant inmates may be denied privileges. redolent (adj.) sweet-smelling; having the odor of a particular thing The
redolent aroma of the pie tempted everyone. The restaurant was redolent with the smell of spices. redundant (adj.)
wordy; repetitive; unnecessary to the meaning The redundant lecture of the professor repeated the lesson in the text.
Her comments were both redundant and sarcastic. With millions of transactions at stake, the bank built a redundant
processing center on a separate power grid.
refurbish
(v.) to make new; renovate
The Newsomes are refurbishing their old colonial home with the help of an interior designer.
refute
(v.) challenge; disprove
He refuted the proposal, deeming it unfair
regal
(adj.) royal; grand
The regal home was lavishly decorated and furnished with European antiques.
The well-bred woman behaves in a regal manner.
reiterate
(v.) to repeat again
Rose found that she had to reiterate almost everything, leading her to fear her husband was going deaf.
If you did not hear me the first time, I will reiterate the directions for you.
relegate
(v.) banish; put to a lower position
With Internal Affairs launching an investigation into charges that Officer Wicker had harassed a suspect, he was
relegated to desk duty.
relevant
(adj.) of concern; significant
Asking applicants about their general health is relevant since much of the job requires physical strength.
relinquish
(v.) to let go; abandon
House Speaker Jim Wright had to relinquish his position after an ethics investigation undermined his authority.
remonstrate
(v.) to protest or object to
The population will remonstrate against the new taxes.
remorse
(n.) guilt; sorrow
The prosecutor argued that the defendant had shown no remorse for his actions.
renascence
(n.) a new life; rebirth
The renascence of the band resulted in a new recording contract. rend (v.) to rip or pull from; to split with violence;
to disturb with a sharp noise The kidnapper rent the newborn baby from the arms of its mother as she was leaving the
hospital.
A freakish water spout rent the fishing boat in half. Every morning, the 5:47 local out of New Brunswick rends the
dawn’s silence with its air horn.
render
(v.) deliver; provide
The Yorkville First Aid Squad was first on the scene to render assistance. renegade (n.) a person who abandons
something, as a religion, cause or movement; a traitor Benedict Arnold remains one of the most notorious renegades
in American history.
repast
(n.) food that is eaten
The repast consisted of cheese, wine, and bread
replete
(adj.) well supplied
The kitchen came replete with food and utensils.
replica
(n.) copy; representation; reproduction
The equine sculpture was a replica of a Remington.
reprehend
(v.) to reprimand; to find fault with
Finding the need to reprehend the student’s actions, she gave her detention. reproach (v.) to blame and thus make
feel ashamed; to rebuke The major reproached his troops for not following orders.
reprobate
(v.) to condemn; to reject
The teacher will reprobate the actions of the delinquent student.
His assertions were reprobated as inappropriate.
reproof
(n.) a rebuke
For all his hard work, all he got was a reproof of his efforts. repudiate (v.) to disown; to deny support for; reject; cancel
The man will repudiate all claims that he was involved in the deal. Although his party supported the bill, this senator
repudiated it.
The offer was repudiated because of its cost.
repugnant
(adj.) inconsistent; resistance
The repugnant actions of the man made others lose trust in him.
Despite their efforts to convince her, she remained repugnant.
resignation
(n.) quitting; submission
He submitted his resignation because he found a new job. You could see the resignation on his face: Things just
weren’t working out as he’d expected. resilient (adj.) flexible; capable of withstanding stress The elderly man
attributed his resilient health to a good diet and frequent exercise.
resolution
(n.) proposal; promise; determination
Former U.S. Senator George Mitchell journeyed to Ireland to help bring about a peaceful resolution to years of strife.
resonant
(adj.) resounding; re-echoing
Beautiful resonant music escaped from the cathedral’s windows.
respite
(n.) recess; rest period
The workers talked and drank coffee during the respite.
The team was given a respite from the long practice schedule.
resplendent
(adj.) dazzling and shining
Her new diamond was resplendent in the sunshine.
resurgent
(adj.) rising or tending to rise again
A resurgent wave of enthusiasm erupted from the once quiet crowd.
reticent
(adj.) silent; reserved; shy
The reticent girl played with her building blocks while the other children played tag.
It was difficult to get the reticent boy to join the conversation.
retract
(v.) to draw or take back
Once you say something, it’s hard to retract.
retroaction
(n.) a reverse action
The retroaction of the car sent those standing behind it fleeing. The bill’s retroaction stood to save taxpayers an
average of $500 a head. reverent (adj.) respectful; feeling or showing deep love, respect, or awe The congregation
was very reverent of its spiritual leader. reverie (n.) the condition of being unaware of one’s surroundings, trance;
dreamy thinking or imagining, especially of agreeable things As their anniversary neared, Lisa fell into a reverie as
she recalled all the good times she and Roscoe had had.
After spending the morning in reverie, I decided to work in the afternoon.
revile
(v.) to be abusive in speech
It is not appropriate for a teacher to revile a student. rhapsodize (v.) to speak or write in a very enthusiastic manner
Hearing the general rhapsodize about his time as a plebe sent a wave of recognition through the academy grads.
rhetorical (adj.) having to do with verbal communication; artificial eloquence In posing a rhetorical question, he
hoped to get people thinking. The perception that Gary Hart was spouting rhetorical flourishes enabled fellow
Democrat Walter Mondale to score debate points by asking, “Where’s the beef?”
ribald
(adj.) vulgar joking or mocking
Some people find the comedian’s ribald act offensive.
The ribald story proved an embarrassment to its audience.
rigor
(n.) severity
She criticized the planning board’s vote with rigor.
rivet
(v.) to secure; to hold firmly, as in eyes
We can rivet the boat to the dock.
She could not look away from the morbid scene; she was riveted to it.
roseate
(adj.) rose-colored
The roseate sunset faded into the sky.
rout
(n.; v.) a noisy or disorderly crowd; a retreat or terrible defeat; to dig up The rout kept the police busy all morning with
crowd control. The Scarlet Knights beat the Fighting Irish in a rout, 56-14.
I need to rout the backyard in order to put in the pipes.
rudimentary
(adj.) elementary
Adding two plus two is a rudimentary activity.
ruffian
(n.) tough person or a hoodlum
Contrary to popular opinion, ruffians are nothing new in the city.
ruminate
(v.) to consider carefully
The doctor will ruminate on his diagnosis.
Facing a tough decision, he decided to ruminate before making his thoughts known.
rummage
(v.) search thoroughly
Determined to find his college yearbook, he rummaged through every box in the garage. rustic (adj.) plain and
unsophisticated; homely; of or living in the country The president enjoyed spending weekends at Camp David, a
rustic retreat in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland. saga (n.) a legend; any long story of adventure or heroic deed
The saga of King Arthur and his court has been told for generations.
sagacious
(adj.) wise
Many of her friends came to her with their problems because she gave sagacious advice.
The old man gave sagacious advice.
salient
(adj.) noticeable; prominent
What’s salient about the report is its documentation of utter despair in the heartland of the richest nation on Earth.
His most salient feature is his nose.
His salient bruise will alert his mother to the altercation.
salubrious
(adj.) promoting good health
Salubrious food helps maintain an ideal weight.
Exercising frequently and eating healthy foods are salubrious habits.
salutatory
(adj.) of or containing greetings
Two messengers were sent to the new neighbors with a salutatory letter.
salvage
(v.) rescue from loss
The family tried to salvage their belongings after their home was destroyed by a tornado. sanction (v.; n.) an act of
giving authoritative permission; to give encouragement; a blockade The government has sanctioned the meetings as
a worthy cause. He did more than tolerate her actions, he sanctioned them. Before committing troops to war, the
president wanted to give the sanctions a chance to work.
sanguine
(adj.) optimistic; cheerful; red
Even when victory seemed impossible, the general remained sanguine.
The dress was sanguine with a bright green border stripe.
With a sanguine nod the interviewee entered the office.
sapid
(adj.) having a pleasant taste
Yellow and blue icing covered the sapid pastry.
sarcasm
(n.) ironic; bitter humor designed to wound
The teacher did not appreciate the student’s sarcasm and gave him detention.
sardonic
(adj.) having a sarcastic quality
H.L. Mencken was known for his sardonic writings on political figures. satire (n.) a novel or play that uses humor or
irony to expose folly The new play was a satire that exposed the President’s inability to lead the country.
saturate
(v.) soak thoroughly; drench
She saturated the sponge with soapy water before she began washing the car.
saturnine
(adj.) gloomy, sluggish
The never-ending rain put everyone in a saturnine mood.
saunter
(v.) to walk at a leisurely pace; stroll
The loving couple sauntered down the wooded path.
savant
(n.) one who is intelligent
The savant accepted his award of excellence. savor (v.) to receive pleasure from; to enjoy with appreciation; dwell
on with delight After several months without a day off, she savored every minute of her week-long vacation.
scanty
(adj.) inadequate; sparse
The malnutrition was caused by the scanty amount of healthy food eaten each day.
schism
(n.) a division in an organized group
When the group could not decide on a plan of action, a schism occurred.
scourge
(v.) to whip severely
The trainer will scourge the animal if it attacks someone.
scrupulous
(adj.) honorable; exact
After finding a purse with valuable items inside, the scrupulous Mr.
Prendergast returned everything to its owner.
A scrupulous cleaning was conducted before the family moved.
scrutinize
(v.) examine closely; study
After allowing his son to borrow the family car, the father scrutinized every section for dents.
scurrilous
(adj.) vulgarity
The scurrilous language made the mother twinge.
sectarian
(adj.) to be narrow minded or limited
A sectarian precluded him from listening to the other side. sedentary (adj.) characterized by sitting; remaining in one
locality The sedentary child had not moved after two hours. The old woman who never left her home town has led a
sedentary life.
sedition
(n.) a revolt
The sedition by the guards ended with their being executed for treason.
sedulous
(adj.) working diligently; persistent
The sedulous habits of the team will surely conclude in victory.
Only the most sedulous salespeople will succeed.
seethe
(v.) to be violently disturbed
By the time I arrived, she was seething with anger.
He seethed at the prospect of losing the business to his conniving uncle.
sequester
(v.) to separate or segregate
The jury was sequestered at the local inn.
serendipity
(n.) an apparent aptitude for making fortunate discoveries accidentally Serendipity seemed to follow the lucky winner
where ever he went.
serrated
(adj.) having a saw-toothed edge
While camping, the family used a serrated band saw to cut firewood.
servile
(adj.) slavish; groveling
He knew they both possessed equal abilities, and yet he was always treated as a servile underling.
His servile leadership forced her to take over.
The servile nurse did everything the doctor told her to do.
shady
(adj.) a character of questionable honesty
A shady person would not be trusted with a sensitive secret.
shoal
(n.) a large group or crowd
Shoals of grain were stored in the barn.
shoddy
(adj.) of inferior quality; cheap
The state’s attorney said many homes, as they were built with shoddy materials, were bound to just blow apart even in
winds of 60 or 70 miles per hour.
The shoddy homes were blown over in the storm.
sinuous
(adj.) full of curves; twisting and turning
Sinuous mountain roads at night present extra danger at night when it’s harder to see the road’s edge.
skeptic
(n.) doubter
Even after seeing evidence that his competitor’s new engine worked, the engineer remained a skeptic that it was
marketable.
skulk
(v.) to move secretly, implies sinister
The thief skulked around the neighborhood hoping to find his next target.
They found the boy skulking in the bushes.
The woman attempted to skulk away from cleaning the house by hiring a cleaning service.
slander
(v.) defame; maliciously misrepresent
Orville said he’d been slandered, and he asked the court who would-or could- give him his name back.
sloth
(n.) disinclination to action or labor
Employers want to guard against hiring sloths as new employees.
slothful
(adj.) lazy
The slothful actions of the player led to his benching.
slovenly
(adv.) sloppy
His mother-in-law did not approve of his slovenly manner. sodden (adj.) soggy; dull in action as if from alcohol The
flowers were sodden after the rain.
The sodden reaction of the man caused the accident.
sojourn
(v.) to stay temporarily
The family will sojourn at their summer home. The guest remained only for a sojourn; she was going to leave in the
afternoon.
solace
(n.) hope; comfort during a time of grief
When her father passed away, she found solace amongst her friends and family. solemnity (n.) a deep, reverent
feeling often associated with religious occasions The church service was full of solemnity.
The solemnity of the funeral procession stood in stark contrast to the young children splashing with delight in a
nearby pool.
solicit
(v.) ask; seek
The jobless man solicited employment from many factories before he was able to find work. soliloquy (n.) a talk one
has with oneself (esp. on stage) Imagine T.S. Eliot’s poem The Waste Land performed on stage as a kind of soliloquy!
The soliloquy by the man standing alone on the cliff sent a message of regret. solubility (n.) that can be solved; that
can be dissolved The solubility of sugar causes it to disappear when put in water.
somber
(adj.) dark and depressing; gloomy
The sad story had put everyone in a somber mood.
soporific
(adj.) causing sleep
The soporific medication should not be taken when you need to drive.
sordid
(adj.) filthy; base; vile
The sordid gutters needed to be cleaned after the long, rainy autumn. The criminals thought patterns were so sordid
that he was not granted parole.
sovereign
(adj.) superior
The power was given to the sovereign warrior. specious (adj.) plausible, but deceptive; apparently, but not actually,
true The jury forewoman said the jury saw through the defense lawyer’s specious argument and convicted his client
on the weight of the evidence.
I was unsure of the meaning of the specious statement.
spelunker
(n.) one who studies caves
The spelunker made a startling discovery in the old mine. spendthrift (n.) a person who spends money extravagantly
The spendthrift bought two new necklaces and three pairs of shoes.
splenetic
(adj.) marked by hostility
The splenetic warriors advanced with no thought of what they were destroying. sporadic (adj.) rarely occurring or
appearing; intermittent In the desert there is usually only sporadic rainfall.
spurious
(adj.) not genuine, false; bogus
Spurious claims by the importer hid the fact that prison labor had been used in the garments’ fabrication.
The newspaper was notorious for spurious information.
spurn
(v.; n.) to push away; a strong rejection
The woman spurned the advances of her suitor, saying she wasn’t ready for a commitment.
Unlucky enough to be the ninth telemarketer to call Jane that evening, he caught her spurn.
squalid
(adj.) filthy; wretched (from squalor)
The lack of sanitation piping caused squalid conditions. He makes good money, but I would never want to work in
those squalid crawl spaces.
stagnant
(adj.) motionless, uncirculating
The stagnant water in the puddle became infested with mosquitoes.
staid
(adj.) marked by self-control
The horse was staid as it entered the stable.
stamina
(n.) endurance
Anybody who can finish the New York Marathon has lots of stamina.
stanch
(v.) to stop or check the flow of; staunch
It is necessary to stanch the bleeding from the wound as soon as possible. stanza (n.) group of lines in a poem having
a definite pattern The poet uses an odd simile in the second stanza of the poem.
static
(adj.) inactive; changeless
The view while riding in the train across the endless, flat landscape remained static for days.
The static water of the lake reflected the image of the trees.
steadfast
(adj.) loyal
The secret service agents are steadfast to their oath to protect the president.
stigma
(n.) a mark of disgrace
The “F” on his transcript is a stigma on his record.
stigmatize
(v.) to characterize or make as disgraceful
The gross error will stigmatize the worker as careless.
stipend
(n.) payment for work done
She receives a monthly stipend for her help with the project. The bank will pay the woman a stipend of a hundred
dollars a week. stoic (adj.) detached; unruffled; calm; austere indifference to joy, grief, pleasure, or pain The soldier
had been in week after week of fierce battle; nonetheless, he remained stoic.
With stoic obedience the child sat quietly on the chair.
stoke
(v.) to feed fuel to; especially a fire
With the last embers dying, he stoked the fire one more time.
stolid
(adj.) showing little emotion
With a stolid expression, the man walked away from the confrontation.
striated
(adj.) having lines or grooves
The striated road was ready for traffic.
stridency
(n.) harshness or shrillness sound
The stridency of the whistle hurt the dog’s ears.
strident
(adj.) creaking; harsh, grating
Her strident voice hampered her chances of getting the announcer position.
stupor
(n.) a stunned or bewildered condition
He was in a stupor after being hit on the head.
stymie
(v.) to hinder or obstruct
Large amounts of snowfall will stymie the rescue effort.
suave
(adj.) effortlessly gracious
She was a suave negotiator, always getting what she wanted without anyone feeling they’d lost anything.
The elegant woman entered the room with a suave walk.
subjugate
(v.) to dominate or enslave
The bully will attempt to subjugate the remainder of the class. The royal family subjugated the peasants, making
them perform hard labor.
subliminal