Friday, September 23, 2016

"Vocabulary 16-30"

Elicit (V) - evoke or draw out (a response, answer, or fact) from someone in reaction to one's own actions or questions.

I want to elicit enough information to the city council so they can hear me when I propose speed bumps for my street.

Exacerbate (V) - to make (a bad situation, a problem, etc.) worse.

By not going to physical therapy, you will exacerbate your pain and injury.

Tumultuous (adj) - making a loud, confused noise; uproarious.

The performer was stunned by the tumultuous response after his Broadway performance.

Bolster (N) - a long, often cylindrical, cushion or pillow for a bed, sofa, etc.

As she laid in her bed, she bolstered herself upright so she could type her essay properly.

Cajole (V) - to persuade by flattery or promises; wheedle; coax.

The parents often cajole their kids with candy so they do their homework on time.

Clandestine (adj) – kept secret or done secretively, especially because illicit.

Nick keeps his relationship with his friend Heather clandestine to his girlfriend’s relationship with Debra.

Ameliorate (V) - to make or become better, more bearable, or more satisfactory; improve.

Justine ameliorates her position at Google each and every day so she can stay employed.

Cessation (N) - a temporary or complete stopping; discontinuance.

The principal gave a quick cessation to the brawl between the two men at the football game.

Proliferation (N) - a rapid and often excessive spread or increase.

Donald Trump’s lies and absurd racist comments have proliferated since he started campaigning for his presidency.

Fervent (adj) - exhibiting or marked by great intensity of feeling.

Charlie has never missed a show by his favorite band because he is so feverant about the bass player.

Ubiquitous (adj) - existing or being everywhere, especially at the same time; omnipresen.

When you go to Hawaii, there are ubiquitous amounts of ABC stores.

Sweltering (adj) - suffering oppressive heat.

Anyone who goes to Death Valley in the summer will experience the sweltering heat.

Extraneous (adj) - introduced or coming from without; not belonging or proper to a thing; external; foreign.

When you live in New York City, you are bound to experience extraneous amounts of noise which makes it difficult to sleep.

Recalcitrant (adj) – resisting authority or control; not obedient or compliant; refractory.

The inmates at the prison often are recalcitrant towards the guards because of their aggressive behavior and hatred towards them.

Schadenfreude (N) - the sense of enjoyment that comes upon hearing about the problems of others.

I feel a bit schadenfreude when I hear my worst enemy got rejected by his girlfriend so she could be with me.

Malleable (adj) - capable of being easily changed or influenced.

My boss is so malleable about his rules and expectations that it makes me feel comfortable and easy to work with him.

Augment (V) - to increase the size or amount of something

The baker augmented the recipe so she could serve more people at the party.

Debauchery (N) - extreme indulgence in sensual behaviors, such as careless drinking and promiscuity.

The bachelor party was a debauchery of strippers and drinking.

Decadence (N) - the act or process of falling into an inferior condition or state; deterioration; decay.

That Belgian chocolate is so decadent; I feel myself withering away with pleasure as I eat it.

Presumptive (adj) - of the nature of a presumption; presumed in the absence of further information.


It was presumptive of the cashier that I had cash for my purchase instead of my debit card that I was going to use.

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