Magoosh GRE Words_part 1

unpropitious

adjective - (of a circumstance) with little chance of success With only a bottle of water and a sandwich, the hikers faced an ____ task: ascending a huge mountain that took most two days to climb. (Translate: unpropitious)

mercurial

adjective - (of a person) prone to unexpected and unpredictable changes in mood The fact that Ella's moods were as ____ as the weather was problematic for her relationships--it didn't help that she lived in Chicago. Synonyms: impulsive, unpredictable, volatile, effervescent, changeable, resilient, erratic Antonyms: predictable, unchanging, stable, reliable, constant, certain, steady, sure (Translate: mutevole)

genial

adjective - agreeable, conducive to comfort Betty is a ____ young woman: everyone she meets is put at ease by her elegance and grace. Synonyms: pleasant, amiable, easygoing, upbeat, sunny, jolly, cheerful, gentle, jovial, chipper, sociable Antonyms: hateful, unfriendly, surly, upset, unkind, unsympathetic, disagreeable, nasty, unhappy, gloomy, mean, rude, depressed, sad, serious (Translate: cordiale)

forthcoming

adjective - at ease in talking to others As a husband, Larry was not ____: if Jill didn't demand to know details, Larry would never share them with her. Synonyms: upcoming, anticipated, coming, impending, approaching Antonyms: remote (Translate: prossimo)

obsequious

adjective - attentive in an ingratiating or servile manner; attempting to win favor from influential people by flattery The ____ waiter did not give the couple a moment's peace all through the meal, constantly returning to their table to refill their water glasses and to tell them what a handsome pair they made. (Translate: ossequioso)

forthcoming

adjective - available when required or as promised The President announced that the senators were about to reach a compromise, and that he was eager to read the ____ details of the bill. Synonyms: upcoming, anticipated, coming, impending, approaching Antonyms: remote (Translate: prossimo)

economical

adjective - avoiding waste, efficient Journalists favor an ____ style of writing, in which no unnecessary words are used and every sentence is as short as possible. Synonyms: efficient, cost-effective, prudent, practical Antonyms: inefficient, expensive (Translate: economico)

serene

adjective - calm and peaceful I'd never seen him so ____; usually, he was a knot of stress and anxiety from hours of trading on the stock exchange. Synonyms: composed, easygoing, peaceful, smooth, quiet, comfortable, placid, sedate, laid-back Antonyms: agitated, annoyed, excited, upset, worried, nervous, clamorous, noisy, turbulent, violent, uncool, loud, poor (Translate: sereno)

discreet

adjective - careful to protect one's speech or actions in order to avoid offense or gain an advantage The professor thought that he was ____, subtly wiping the stain off of his shirt, but as soon as he stepped off the podium a member of the audience pointed out the large ketchup stain. Synonyms: noncommittal, watchful, prudent, tactful, considerate, thoughtful, reasonable, attentive, careful, intelligent, restrained Antonyms: inattentive, negligent, incautious, unthoughtful, inconsiderate, heedless, idiotic, stupid, careless, thoughtless, unmindful (Translate: discreto)

slapdash

adjective - carelessly and hastily put together The office building had been constructed in a ____ manner, so it did not surprise officials when, during a small earthquake, a large crack emerged on the facade of the building. Synonyms: haphazard (Translate: raffazzonato)

belligerent

adjective - characteristic of one eager to fight Tom said that he was arguing the matter purely for philosophical reasons, but his ____ tone indicated an underlying anger about the issue. Synonyms: combative, contentious, hostile, quarrelsome, ornery, bellicose, antagonistic Antonyms: peaceful, friendly, kind, agreeable, calm (Translate: belligerante)

rustic

adjective - characteristic of rural life; awkwardly simple and provincial The vacation cabin had no electricity and no indoor plumbing, but despite these inconveniences, Nigel adored its ____ charm. Synonyms: primitive, pastoral, picturesque, bucolic, homey, simple, austere Antonyms: sophisticated (Translate: rustico)

staid

adjective - characterized by dignity and propriety Frank came from a ____ enviroment, so he was shocked that his college rooommate sold narcotics. Synonyms: solemn, decorous, somber, sedate, sober, stuffy Antonyms: indecorous, excited (Translate: compassato)

scrupulous

adjective - characterized by extreme care and great effort Because of his ____ nature, Mary put him in charge of numbering and cataloging the entire collection of rare stamps. Synonyms: precise, meticulous, fastidious, honest, strict, painstaking, conscientious Antonyms: inaccurate, inexact, uncritical, dishonest, lenient, FALSE, careless, loose, uncareful, undemanding, easy-going, easy (Translate: scrupoloso)

gossamer

adjective - characterized by unusual lightness and delicacy The ____ wings of a butterfly, which allow it to fly, are also a curse, so delicate that they are often damaged. Synonyms: silky, translucent, fibrous (Translate: sottilissimo)

winsome

adjective - charming in a childlike or naive way She was ____ by nature, and many people were drawn to this free and playful spirit. Synonyms: engaging, cute, delightful, appealing (Translate: attraente)

involved

adjective - complicated, and difficult to comprehend The physics lecture became so ____ that the undergraduate's eyes glazed over. Antonyms: unperturbed, untroubled, disinterested, unconcerned (Translate: coinvolti)

vociferous

adjective - conspicuously and offensively loud; given to vehement outcry In giving Marcia a particular ____ response, Paul caused people at every other table in the restaurant to turn around an look at them angrily. Synonyms: vehement, clamorous, boisterous, shrill Antonyms: quiet, silent, low, soft (Translate: vociferante)

recondite

adjective - difficult to penetrate; incomprehensible to one of ordinary understanding or knowledge I found Ulysses ____ and never finished the book, waiting instead to read it with someone else so we could penetrate its meaning together. (Translate: recondito)

abstruse

adjective - difficult to understand; incomprehensible Physics textbooks can seem so ____ to the uninitiated that readers feel as though they are looking at hieroglyphics. Synonyms: perplexing, esoteric (Translate: astruso)

sardonic

adjective - disdainfully or ironically humorous; scornful and mocking A stand-up comedian walks a fine line when making jokes about members of the audience; such fun and joking can quickly become ____ and cutting. Synonyms: derisive, acerbic, mocking, satirical, caustic, biting, mordant Antonyms: kind, calm, mild, nice (Translate: sardonico)

ignoble

adjective - dishonorable In the 1920s, the World Series was rigged--an ____ act which baseball took decades to recover from. (Translate: ignobile)

impermeable

adjective - does not allow fluids to pass through The sand bags placed on the river formed an ____ barrier, protecting the town from flooding. (Translate: impermeabile)

humdrum

adjective - dull and lacking excitement Having grown up in a ____ suburb, Jacob relished life in New York City after moving. Synonyms: tedious, mundane, monotonous, dreary, drab, uninteresting, everyday Antonyms: exciting, interesting, bright (Translate: monotonia)

jejune

adjective - dull; lacking flavor Although many top chefs have secured culinary foam's popularity in haute cuisine, Waters criticizes it for being ____ and unfilling. (Translate: insipido)

cadaverous

adjective - emaciated; gaunt Some actors take challenging roles in which they have to lose so much weight that they appear ____. (Translate: cadaverico)

avaricious

adjective - excessively greedy Since ____ desire is similar to gluttony or lust--sins of excess--it was listed as one of the seven deadly sins by the Catholic church. (Translate: avaro)

lugubrious

adjective - excessively mournful At the funeral, ____ songs filled the small church. Synonyms: mournful, sorrowful (Translate: lugubre)

ravenous

adjective - extremely hungry; devouring or craving food in great quantities John didn't each much at all during the week he had the flu, so now that he is regaining his health, it's not surpring that he has a ____ appetite. Synonyms: voracious, rapacious, insatiable, ferocious, greedy Antonyms: satisfied (Translate: vorace)

benighted

adjective - fallen into a state of ignorance Far from being a period of utter ____ness, The Medieval Ages produced some great works of theological speculation. (Translate: ottenebrato)

vicarious

adjective - felt or undergone as if one were taking part in the experience or feelings of another The advent of twitter is a celebrity stalker's dream, as he or she can--through hundreds of intimate tweets--____ly live the life of a famous person. (Translate: vicario)

staunch

adjective - firm and dependable especially in loyalty No longer a ____ supporter of the movement, Todd now will openly question whether its goals are worthwhile. Synonyms: steadfast, reliable, trustworthy, loyal, stout, ardent, stalwart Antonyms: disloyal, unreliable, untrustworthy, undependable, weak (Translate: convinto)

quotidian

adjective - found in the ordinary course of events Phil gets so involved thinking about Aristotle's arguments that he totally forgets ____ concerns, such as exercising and eating regularly. (Translate: quotidiano)

precarious

adjective - fraught with danger People smoke to relax and forget their cares, but ironically, in terms of health risks, smoking is far more ____ than either mountain-climbing or skydiving. Synonyms: hazardous, dangerous, uncertain, unhealthy, touchy, unsettled, insecure, shaky, risky, unreliable Antonyms: guarded, protected, healthy, settled, reliable, stable, certain, safe, secure, definite, sure, strong, happy, steady (Translate: precario)

jovial

adjective - full of or showing high-spirited merriment The political candidate and his supporters were ____ once it was clear that she had won. Synonyms: cordial, amiable, festive, buoyant, jolly, pleasant, good-natured, chipper, sociable, cheery, affable, convivial Antonyms: unfriendly, unpleasant, unsociable, hateful, surly, heavy-hearted, disagreeable, gloomy, mean, depressed, unhappy (Translate: gioviale)

garrulous

adjective - full of trivial conversation Lynne was ____: once, she had a fifteen minute conversation with a stranger before she realized the woman didn't speak English. Synonyms: glib, chatty, loquacious, voluble Antonyms: quiet, silent (Translate: garrulo)

taciturn

adjective - habitually reserved and uncommunicative While the CEO enthusiastically shares his plans and agenda with all who will listen, the CFO is far more ____, rarely revealing his perspective. Synonyms: reticent, aloof, dour, laconic (Translate: taciturno)

vitriolic

adjective - harsh or corrosive in tone While the teacher was more moderate in her criticism of the other student's papers, she was ____ toward Peter's paper, casting every flaw in the harshest light. Synonyms: antagonistic, scathing Antonyms: kind, nice, agreeable, bland, calm, mild, sweet (Translate: vetriolo)

precipitate

adjective - hasty or rash Instead of conducting a thorough investigation after the city hall break-in, the governor acted ____ly, accusing his staff of aiding and abetting the criminals. Synonyms: hasten, trigger, accelerate, expedite Antonyms: block, hinder, check, halt, stop (Translate: precipitato)

truculent

adjective - having a fierce, savage nature Standing in line for six hours, she became progressively ____, yelling at DMV employees and elbowing other people waiting in line. (Translate: aggressivo)

scrupulous

adjective - having a sense of right and wrong; principled Everyone trusted what he said and followed his example because he was ____ and honest. Synonyms: precise, meticulous, fastidious, honest, strict, painstaking, conscientious Antonyms: inaccurate, inexact, uncritical, dishonest, lenient, FALSE, careless, loose, uncareful, undemanding, easy-going, easy (Translate: scrupoloso)

debonair

adjective - having a sophisticated charm James Bond is known for his good looks, high tech gadgets, and ____ manner. Synonyms: suave, affable, dashing, urbane Antonyms: unsophisticated (Translate: affabile)

noisome

adjective - having an extremely bad smell Each August, when the winds moved in a south easterly direction, the garbage dump would spread ____ vapors through the small town. (Translate: puzzolente)

stolid

adjective - having or revealing little emotion or sensibility; not easily aroused or excited Elephants may appear ____ to casual observers, but they actually have passionate emotional lives. Synonyms: impassive (Translate: stolido)

inimical

adjective - hostile (usually describes conditions or environments) Venus, with a surface temperature that would turn rubber to liquid, is ____ to any form of life. Synonyms: hostile, harmful, adverse, unfriendly, opposed Antonyms: friendly, kind, helpful, assisting, nice, aiding, favorable, good (Translate: ostile)

jejune

adjective - immature; childish Her boss further cemented his reuptation for being ____ after throwing a fit when the water cooler wasn't refilled. (Translate: insipido)

impregnable

adjective - immune to attack; incapable of being tampered with As a child, Amy would build pillow castles and pretend they were ____ fotresses. Synonyms: impenetrable, unassailable, invincible Antonyms: breakable, destructible (Translate: inespugnabile)

copious

adjective - in abundant supply In midsummer, there are ____ popiscle stands at the beach; in the winter, there are none. Synonyms: extensive, ample (Translate: copioso)

irrevocable

adjective - incapable of being retracted or revoked Once you enter your plea to the court, it is ____ so think carefully about what you will say. Synonyms: permanent, irreversible, immutable (Translate: irrevocabile)

fecund

adjective - intellectually productive The artist had entered a ____ period, producing three masterpieces in the span of two months. (Translate: fecondo)

embroiled

adjective - involved in argument or contention These days we are never short of a D.C. politician ____ in scandal--a welcome phenomenon for those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one imbroglio, can sink their teeth into a fresh one. Synonyms: entangle, tangle, mire, ensnare, involve, enmesh Antonyms: exclude, untangle, untwist, free (Translate: coinvolto)

ebullient

adjective - joyously unrestrained Can you blame him for his ____ mood? He just graduated from medical school. Synonyms: brash, elated, buoyant, agitated, effusive Antonyms: depressed, down, unhappy, serious, unenthusiastic (Translate: bollente)

incongruous

adjective - lacking in harmony or compatibility or appropriateness The vast economic inequality of modern society is ____ with America's ideals. Synonyms: bizarre, inappropriate, contradictory, incoherent, incompatible (Translate: incongruo)

churlish

adjective - lacking manners or refinement The manager was unnecessarily ____ to his subordinates, rarely deigning to say hello, but always quick with a sartorial jab if someone happened to be wearing anything even slightly mismatching. Synonyms: grumpy, uncivilized, sullen, rude, ornery Antonyms: happy, nice, polished, refined, sophisticated (Translate: villano)

hackneyed

adjective - lacking significance through having been overused Cheryl rolled her eyes when she heard the lecturer's ____ advice to be true to yourself. Synonyms: timeworn, corny, trite, banal, stale, threadbare Antonyms: fresh, new, original (Translate: trito)

gauche

adjective - lacking social polish Sylvester says the most ____ things, such as telling a girl he liked that she was much prettier when she wore makeup. (Translate: goffo)

transitory

adjective - lasting a very short time If we lived forever and life was not ____, do you think we would appreciate life less or more? Synonyms: transient Antonyms: lasting, permanent, enduring, long-lived, perpetual, lengthy, long (Translate: transitorio)

lascivious

adjective - lecherous; sexually perverted Lolita is a challenging novel for many, not necessarily because of the elevated prose style but because of the depravity of the main character, Humbert Humbert, who, as an old, ____ man, falls in love with a girl. Synonyms: salacious, pornographic, vulgar, indecent, prurient, lewd Antonyms: moral, clean, decent (Translate: lascivo)

conducive

adjective - making a situation or outcome more likely to happen Studying in a quiet room is ____ to learning; studying in a noisy environment makes learning more difficult. Synonyms: useful, helpful Antonyms: useless, worthless (Translate: tendente)

foolhardy

adjective - marked 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 ____. Synonyms: daring, irresponsible, audacious, bold, adventurous, reckless Antonyms: cowardly, meek, timid, careful, cautious, prudent, afraid, fearful, shy, unadventurous, responsible (Translate: avventato)

ornate

adjective - marked by elaborate rhetoric and elaborated with decorative details The ____ Victorian and Edwardian homes spread throughout San Francisco are my favorite part of the city. Synonyms: beautiful, gilded, glamorous, lavish, sumptuous, sparkling, magnificent, opulent, elegant, fancy, baroque, rococo, gaudy Antonyms: unsophisticated, offensive, plain, ugly, dull, poor (Translate: ornato)

vehement

adjective - marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions While the other employees responded to the bad news in a measured way, Andrew responded in a ____ manner, tipping over his desk and shouting at the top of his lungs. Synonyms: furious, zealous, impassioned, forceful, enthusiastic, potent, fervent, ardent, violent, rabid Antonyms: pleased, peaceful, apathetic, indifferent, lethargic, impotent, ineffective, meek, dispassionate, happy, calm, mild, moderate, unenthusiastic, cool, unexcited, weak, gentle (Translate: veemente)

forlorn

adjective - marked by or showing hopelessness After her third pet dog died, Marcia was simply ____: this time even the possibility of buying a new dog no longer held any joy. Synonyms: lonely, pathetic, depressed, oppressed, despondent, deserted, desolate, desperate, miserable, helpless, destitute Antonyms: cheerful, worthwhile, satisfied, elated, wealthy, happy, prosperous, rich, hopeful, populated, secure (Translate: abbandonato)

incumbent

adjective - necessary (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 ____ on the CEO. (Translate: incombente)

inviolable

adjective - never to be broken, infringed, or dishonored Too many the grass at Wimbledon is ____ and only greater tennis players are able to enjoy a game there. Synonyms: sacrosanct (Translate: inviolabile)

untrammeled

adjective - not confined or limited The whole notion of living ____ inspired the American Revolution and was enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Synonyms: independent, clear, loose, able, easy, unrestricted, open, unfettered Antonyms: unclear, ambiguous, vague, restricted, blocked, closed, definite, strict (Translate: untrammeled)

placid

adjective - not easily irritated Doug is normally ____, so we were all shocked to see him yelling at the television when the Mets lost the game. Synonyms: serene, easygoing, quiet, even-tempered, gentle, peaceful Antonyms: agitated, excited, clamorous, noisy, disturbed, troubled, loud, violent, wild, turbulent (Translate: placido)

inscrutable

adjective - not easily understood; unfathomable His speech was so dense and confusing that many in the audience found it ____. Synonyms: enigmatic, impenetrable, unintelligible, incomprehensible, unfathomable Antonyms: comprehensible, intelligible, fathomable, clear, understandable (Translate: inscrutabile)

improvident

adjective - not given careful consideration Marty was ____, never putting money aside for the future but spending it on decorating the interior of his home. (Translate: imprevidente)

languid

adjective - not inclined towards physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed As the sun beat down and the temperature climbed higher, we spent a ____ week lying around the house. Synonyms: lazy, languorous, unhurried, leisurely, laid-back, lackadaisical, sluggish, lethargic Antonyms: energetic, lively, hurried, active, hard-working (Translate: languido)

immaterial

adjective - not relevant The judge found the defendant's comments ____ to the trial, and summarily dismissed him from the witness stand. Synonyms: unimportant, trivial, meaningless, extraneous, inconsequential Antonyms: relevant, useful, worthwhile, valuable, important, significant (Translate: immateriale)

puerile

adjective - of or characteristic of a child; displaying or suggesting a lack of maturity Helen enjoyed blowing soap bubbles, but Jim regarded this as ____, totally unworthy of a woman with a Ph.D. Synonyms: callow, infantile Antonyms: mature (Translate: puerile)

mawkish

adjective - overly sentimental to the point that it is disgusting The film was incredibly ____, introducing highly likeable characters only to have them succumb to a devastating illnesses by the end of the movie. Synonyms: mushy, gooey, sloppy, cloying, sappy (Translate: sdolcinato)

craven

adjective - pathetically cowardly Though the man could have at least alerted the police, he crouched ____ly in the corner as the old woman was mugged. Synonyms: mean-spirited (Translate: codardo)

carping

adjective - persistently petty and unjustified criticism What seemed like incessant nagging and ____ about my behavior from my mother turned out to be wise and useful advice that has served me well. (Translate: meticoloso)

efficacious

adjective - producing the intended result Since Maggie's cough syrup, which had expired five years back, was no longer ____, she coughed through the night. (Translate: efficace)

mundane

adjective - relating to the ordinary world Though we think of the pope as someone always dealing in holy matters, he is also concerned with ____ events, such as deciding when to set his alarm each morning. Synonyms: prosaic, normal, humdrum, banal Antonyms: abnormal, unusual, uncommon (Translate: mondano)

reticent

adjective - reluctant to draw attention to yourself; temperamentally disinclined to talk When asked about her father, Helen lost her outward enthusiasm and became rather ____. Synonyms: reserved, silent, hesitant, taciturn, shy Antonyms: extroverted, unreserved, communicative, talkative, confident, outgoing, unshy (Translate: reticente)

mundane

adjective - repetitive and boring; not spiritual Nancy found doing dishes a thorougly ____ task, although Peter found a kind of Zen pleasure in the chore. Synonyms: prosaic, normal, humdrum, banal Antonyms: abnormal, unusual, uncommon (Translate: mondano)

solicitous

adjective - showing hovering attentiveness Our neighbors are constantly knocking on our door to make sure we are ok, and I don't know how to ask them to stop being so ____ about our health. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE Synonyms: zealous, attentive, mindful, loving Antonyms: heedless, inattentive (Translate: sollecito)

diffident

adjective - showing modest reserve; lacking self-confidence As a young girl she was ____ and reserved, but now as an adult, she is confident and assertive. Synonyms: sheepish, demure, meek, self-effacing, bashful, unassuming, timid, self-conscious Antonyms: extroverted, brave, confident, aggressive, bold (Translate: timido)

mellifluous

adjective - smooth and sweet-sounding Chelsea's grandmother thought Franz Schubert's music to be the most ____ ever written; Chelsea demurred, and to her grandmother's chagrin, would blast Rihanna on the home stereo speakers. (Translate: mellifluo)

negligible

adjective - so small as to be meaningless; insignificant The GRE tests cumulative knowledge, so if you cram the night before it is, at best, likely to only have a ____ impact on your score. Synonyms: slight, imperceptible, slim, inconsequential Antonyms: useful, worthwhile, big, important, significant (Translate: trascurabile)

profligate

adjective - spending money recklessly or wastefully Most lottery winners go from being conservative, frugal types to outright ____s who blow millions on fast cars, lavish homes, and giant yachts. Synonyms: promiscuous (Translate: dissoluto)

egregious

adjective - standing out in negative way; shockingly bad The dictator's abuse of human rights was so ____ that many world leaders asked that he be tried in an international court for genocide. Synonyms: grievous, scandalous, deplorable, flagrant, heinous, nefarious Antonyms: concealed, hidden, good, mild (Translate: egregio)

refractory

adjective - stubbornly resistant to authority or control Used to studious high school students, Martha was unprepared for the ____ Kindgergarteners who neither sat still nor listened to a single word she said. (Translate: refrattario)

tenacious

adjective - stubbornly unyielding Even the most ____ advocates for gun ownership must admit some of the dangers that firearms present. Synonyms: stubborn, dogged, steadfast, tough, resolute, forceful, persistent, strong-willed, unswerving, determined, stout Antonyms: irresolute, unreliable, kind, yielding, weak, afraid (Translate: tenace)

robust

adjective - sturdy and strong in form, constitution, or construction Chris preferred bland and mild beers, but Bhavin preferred a beer with more ____ flavor. Synonyms: booming, vigorous, prosperous, sturdy, hefty, powerful, potent, hearty, tough Antonyms: impotent, lethargic, unstable, wobbly, incapable, ineffective, fragile, weak, small (Translate: robusto)

macabre

adjective - suggesting the horror of death and decay; gruesome Edgar Allen Poe was considered the master of the ____; his stories vividly describe the moment leading up to--and often those moments after--a grisly death. Synonyms: spooky, ghastly, ghoulish, grisly, morbid, gruesome Antonyms: pleasant, pleasing, pretty, cheerful, happy (Translate: macabro)

tawdry

adjective - tastelessly 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 ____ displays took the place of genuine elegance. Synonyms: tacky, sleazy, vulgar Antonyms: nice (Translate: pacchiano)

arch

adjective - to be deliberately teasing The baroness was ____, making playful asides to the townspeople; yet because they couldn't pick up on her dry humor, they thought her supercilious. (Translate: arco)

commensurate

adjective - to be in proportion or corresponding in degree or amount The convicted felon's life sentence was ____ to the heinousness of his crime. Synonyms: compatible, comparable, sufficient, consistent Antonyms: incompatible, unsuitable (Translate: commisurato)

qualify

adjective - to be legally competent or capable If James had made more than $50,000 last year, then he wouldn't have ____ied for the low-income scholarship. Synonyms: enable, score, certify, train, entitle, pass, ready, meet Antonyms: deny, fail, lose (Translate: qualificarsi)

gregarious

adjective - to be likely to socialize with others Often we think that great leaders are those who are ____, always in the middle of a large group of people; yet, as Mahatma Gandhi and many others have shown us, leaders can also be introverted. Synonyms: affable, sociable Antonyms: unfriendly (Translate: gregario)

retiring

adjective - to be shy, and to be inclined to retract from company Nelson was always the first to leave soirees--rather than mill about with fashionable folk, he was ____, and preferred the solitude of his garret. (Translate: uscente)

ineffable

adjective - too sacred to be uttered; defying expression or description While art critics can occasionally pinpoint a work's greatness, much of why a piece captures our imaginations is completely ____. Synonyms: indescribable, heavenly, transcendent, unspeakable, ethereal (Translate: ineffabile)

peripatetic

adjective - traveling by foot Jim always preferred a ____ approach to discovering a city: he felt that he could see so many more details while walking. Synonyms: nomadic, roving, itinerant Antonyms: settled (Translate: peripatetico)

disinterested

adjective - unbiased; neutral The potential juror knew the defendant, and therefore could not serve on the jury, which must consist only of ____ members. Synonyms: impartial, dispassionate, unbiased, neutral, aloof, indifferent, unselfish Antonyms: biased, subjective, partial, prejudiced, feeling, involved, concerned (Translate: disinteressato)

unforthcoming

adjective - uncooperative, not willing to give up information The teacher demanded to know who broke the window while he was out of the room, but the students understandably were ____. Antonyms: extroverted, unreserved, communicative, talkative, confident, outgoing, unshy (Translate: unforthcoming)

loath

adjective - unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom (usually followed by 'to') I was ____ to leave the concert before my favorite band finished playing. Synonyms: unwilling, afraid, hesitant Antonyms: willing, eager, ready (Translate: restio)

munificent

adjective - very generous Uncle Charley was known for his ____ce, giving all seven of his nephews lavish Christmas presents each year. (Translate: munifico)

bellicose

adjective - warlike; inclined to quarrel Known for their ____ ways, the Spartans were once the most feared people from Peloponnesus to Persia. Synonyms: antagonistic, combative, threatening Antonyms: agreeable (Translate: bellicoso)

cohesive

adjective - well integrated, forming a united whole A well-written, ____ essay will keep on topic at all times, never losing sight of the main argument. Synonyms: united, close-knit Antonyms: separated, divided, detached, loose (Translate: coesivo)

blatant

adjective - without any attempt at concealment; completely obvious Allen was often punished in school for ____ly disrespecting teachers. Synonyms: outright, overt, flagrant, conspicuous, unabashed, glaring, shameless Antonyms: concealed, hidden, moral, secret (Translate: sfacciato)

inarticulate

adjective - without or deprived of the use of speech or words Although a brilliant economist, Professor Black was completely ____, a terrible lecturer. Synonyms: incoherent (Translate: inarticolato)

commendable

adjective - worthy of high praise The efforts of the firefighters running into the burning building were ____. Synonyms: exemplary, meritorious, excellent Antonyms: unworthy, wrong, bad (Translate: lodevole)

idiosyncrasy

noun - a behavioral attribute that is distinctive and peculiar to an individual Peggy's numerous ____ies include wearing mismatched shoes, laughing loudly to herself, and owning a pet aardvark. Synonyms: eccentricity, peculiarity, mannerism Antonyms: usualness, normality (Translate: idiosincrasia)

ploy

noun - a clever plan to turn a situation to one's advantage Dennis arranged an elaborate ____, involving 14 different people lying for him in different situations, so that it could appear that he was meeting Mary completely by chance at the wedding reception. Synonyms: maneuver, tactic, stratagem, ruse (Translate: stratagemma)

canard

noun - a deliberately misleading fabrication The public will always be fooled by the media's ____s. Synonyms: hoax (Translate: canard)

conundrum

noun - a difficult problem Computers have helped solve some of the mathematical ____s which have puzzled man for many centuries. Synonyms: riddle, mystery, enigma (Translate: enigma)

malady

noun - a disease or sickness The town was struck by a ____ throughout the winter that left most people sick in bed for two weeks. Synonyms: illness, syndrome, Cancer, sickness, disability, virus, infection Antonyms: health, relief, good health, strength, comfort (Translate: malattia)

presentiment

noun - a feeling of evil to come On the night that Lincoln would be fatally shot, his wife had a ____ about going to Ford's Theater, but Lincoln persuaded her that everything would be fine. (Translate: presentimento)

solicitude

noun - a feeling of excessive concern I walked to his house in the rain to make sure he had enough to eat while he was sick, but he seemed not to appreciate my ____. Synonyms: uneasiness, disquiet (Translate: sollecitudine)

charlatan

noun - a flamboyant deceiver; one who attracts customers with tricks or jokes You may call him a motivational speaker, but I call him a ____--he doesn't have any idea what he's really talking about. Synonyms: con artist (Translate: ciarlatano)

paucity

noun - a lack of something There is a ____ of jobs hiring today that require menial skills, since most jobs have either been automated or outsourced. Synonyms: smallness, insufficiency, dearth Antonyms: sufficiency (Translate: scarsezza)

dissolution

noun - a living full of debauchery and indulgence in sensual pleasure Many Roman emporers were known for their ____, indulging in unspeakable desires of the flesh. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE Synonyms: divorce, partition, disintegration Antonyms: beginning (Translate: dissoluzione)

misogynist

noun - a person who dislikes women in particular Many have accused Hemingway of being a quiet ____, but recently unearthed letters argue against this belief. (Translate: misogino)

parvenu

noun - a person who has suddenly become wealthy, but not socially accepted as part of a higher class The theater was full of ____s who each thought that they were surrounded by true aristocrats. (Translate: parvenu)

reprisal

noun - a retaliatory action against an enemy in wartime The Old Testament doctrine of an eye for an eye is not the kind of retaliation practiced in war; rather, an arm, a leg, and both ears are the ____ for the smallest scratch. Synonyms: retribution, vengeance, retaliation Antonyms: forgiveness, pardon (Translate: rappresaglia)

apothegm

noun - a short, pithy instructive saying Winston Churchill is famous for many ____s, but this might be his most famous: It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried. (Translate: apothegm)

pittance

noun - a small amount (of money) Vinny's uncle beamed smugly about how he'd offered his nephew fifty dollars for his Harvard tuition; even twice the amount would have been a mere ____. (Translate: miseria)

gaffe

noun - a socially awkward or tactless act In a famous ____, Vice President Quayle attempted to correct the spelling of a grade school student, only to find that the child was correct. Synonyms: indiscretion, impropriety, blooper (Translate: gaffe)

culpability

noun - a state of guilt Since John had left his banana peel at the top of the stairwell, he accepted ____ for Martha's broken leg. Synonyms: guilt, accountability (Translate: colpevolezza)

predilection

noun - a strong liking Monte had a ____ for the fine things in life: Cuban cigars, 200 dollar bottles of wine, and trips to the French Riviera. Synonyms: penchant, proclivity, predisposition, propensity, leaning, fondness Antonyms: dislike, hate, hatred, disinclination (Translate: predilezione)

nuance

noun - a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude Because of the ____s involved in this case, I hired an outside consultant to advice us and help. Synonyms: hint, subtlety, gradation, nicety, refinement (Translate: sfumatura)

platitude

noun - a trite or obvious remark The professor argued that many statements regarded as wise in previous times, such as the Golden Rule, are now regarded as mere ____s. Synonyms: banality, bromide (Translate: banalità)

enormity

noun - an act of extreme wickedness The ____ of Pol Pot's regime is hard to capture in words--within months hundreds of thousands of Cambodians lost their lives. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE Synonyms: horror, depravity Antonyms: smallness, insignificance, littleness, tininess, unimportance (Translate: enormità)

row

noun - an angry dispute The Prime Minister looked very foolish after his ____ with the foreign dignitary was caught on video and posted on youtube. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE Synonyms: tier, line, succession Antonyms: agreement, peace (Translate: riga)

glut

noun - an excessive supply The Internet offers such a ____ of news related stories that many find it difficult to know which story to read first. Synonyms: oversupply, saturation, surplus (Translate: eccesso)

intimation

noun - an indirect suggestion At first the hostess tried ____, praising the benefits of cutlery; when Cecil continued eating with his hands, the hostess told him to use a fork at dinner. (Translate: intimazione)

pariah

noun - an outcast The once eminent scientist, upon being found guilty of faking his data, has become a ____ in the research community. Synonyms: vagabond, persona non grata, leper, outsider (Translate: paria)

reservation

noun - an unstated doubt that prevents you from accepting something wholeheartedly I was initially excited by the idea of a trip to Washington, D.C. but now that I have read about the high crime statistics there, I have some ____s. Synonyms: restriction, skepticism, doubt (Translate: prenotazione)

litany

noun - any long and tedious account of something Mr. Rogers spoke to a Senate committee and did not give a ____ of reasons to keep funding the program, but instead, appealed to the basic human decency of all present. Synonyms: recitation, repetition, catalogue (Translate: litania)

empiricism

noun - any method that derives knowledge from experience, used in experimental science as a way to gain insight and knowledge ____ does not always lead to knowledge; an experience or experiment may raise more questions than it answers. (Translate: empirismo)

effrontery

noun - audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to The skateboarders acted with ____, skating through the church grounds and spray-painting signs warning trespassers. (Translate: sfrontatezza)

duress

noun - compulsory force or threat The witness said he signed the contract under ____ and argued that the court should cancel the agreement. Synonyms: coercion (Translate: costrizione)

truculence

noun - defiant aggressiveness When the boss confronted Aaron about his earlier remarks, Aaron responded with utter ____, simply throwing a glass of water in the boss' face and walking away. (Translate: truculence)

largess

noun - extreme generosity and giving Uncle Frank was known for his ____, so his nephew was sad when he did not receive a present for his birthday. (Translate: elargizione)

avarice

noun - greed (one of the seven deadly sins) The Spanish conquistadors were known for their ____, plundering Incan land and stealing Incan gold. (Translate: avarizia)

torpor

noun - inactivity resulting from lethargy and lack of vigor or energy After work, I was expecting my colleagues to be enthusiastic about the outing, but I found them in a state of complete ____. (Translate: torpore)

schadenfreude

noun - joy from watching the suffering of others From his warm apartment window, Stanley reveled in ____ as he laughed at the figures below, huddled together in the arctic chill. (Translate: Schadenfreude)

discord

noun - lack of agreement or harmony Despite all their talented players, the team was filled with ____--some players refused to talk to others--and lost most of their games. Synonyms: tumult, dissonance, disharmony Antonyms: accord, agreement, concord, harmony (Translate: discordia)

recrimination

noun - mutual accusations The two brothers sat and cried, pointing fingers and making elaborate ____s of the other's guilt Synonyms: complaint, denunciation, allegation, indictment Antonyms: commendation, praise, approval (Translate: recriminazione)

gumption

noun - resourcefulness and determination Wallace Stegner lamented the lack of ____ in the U.S. during the sixties, claiming that no young person knew the value of work. Synonyms: shrewdness, resourcefulness, acumen, savvy, cleverness Antonyms: ignorance, stupidity (Translate: buonsenso)

iconoclast

noun - somebody who attacks cherished beliefs or institutions Lady Gaga, in challenging what it means to be clothed, is an ____ for wearing a meat dress to a prominent awards show. (Translate: iconoclasta)

firebrand

noun - someone who deliberately creates trouble Freddie is a ____: every time he walks into the office, he winds up at the center of heated argument. (Translate: firebrand)

profligate

noun - someone who spends money recklessly or wastefully Most lottery winners go from being conservative, frugal types to outright ____s who blow millions on fast cars, lavish homes, and giant yachts. Synonyms: promiscuous (Translate: dissoluto)

palimpsest

noun - something that has been changed numerous times but on which traces of former iterations can still be seen The downtown was a ____ of the city's checkered past: a new Starbucks had opened up next to an abandoned, shuttered building, and a freshly asphalted road was inches away from a pothole large enough to swallow a small dog. Synonyms: text, document (Translate: palinsesto)

tribulation

noun - something, especially an event, that causes difficulty and suffering As of 2013, nearly 1.5 million Syrians have fled their country hoping to escape the ____s of a civil war tearing their country to pieces. Synonyms: heartache, misfortune, grief, misery, woe, adversity Antonyms: delight, happiness, joy, good luck (Translate: tribolazione)

verisimilitude

noun - the appearance of truth All bad novels are bad for numerous reasons; all good novels are good for their ____ of reality, placing the readers in a world that resembles the one they know. Synonyms: plausibility, realism (Translate: verosimiglianza)

check

noun - the condition of being held back or limited When government abuses are not kept in ____, that government is likely to become autocratic. Synonyms: checkup, audit, review Antonyms: ignore, disprove, invalidate, forget, neglect, aid, assist, let go, allow, help, continue, encourage (Translate: dai un'occhiata)

prescience

noun - the power to foresee the future Baxter's warnings about investing in technology stocks seemed like an act of ____ after the whole market declined significantly. Synonyms: foreknowledge (Translate: preveggenza)

exiguity

noun - the quality of being meager After two months at sea, the ____ of the ship's supplies forced them to search for fresh water and food. Synonyms: loss, shortfall, inadequacy, reduction, dearth, paucity, absence, poverty, scarcity, shortage Antonyms: success, enough, plenty, sufficiency, abundance, affluence, excess, profit, surplus, ease (Translate: esiguità)

artlessness

noun - the quality of innocence I, personally, found the ____ of her speech charming. (Translate: ingenuità)

ascendancy

noun - the state that exists when one person or group has power over another The ____ of the Carlsbad water polo team is clear--they have a decade of championships behind them. Synonyms: predominance, dominance (Translate: ascendente)

mendacity

noun - the tendency to be untruthful I can forgive her for her ____ but only because she is a child and is seeing what she can get away with. Synonyms: deceit, prevarication, deception Antonyms: frankness, honesty, truthfulness, uprightness, openness, truth (Translate: mendacia)

qualm

noun - uneasiness about the fitness of an action While he could articulate no clear reason why Harkner's plan would fail, he neverless felt ____s about committing any resources to it. Synonyms: nervousness, anxiety, hesitation, apprehension, twinge, reluctance, unease, misgiving Antonyms: calm, calmness, collectedness, happiness, ease, peace, certainty, sureness (Translate: nausea)

eschew

verb - avoid and stay away from deliberately; stay clear of Politicians are the masters of ____ing morals; academics are the masters of ____ing clarity. Synonyms: abandon, renounce, avoid, forgo, forswear, shun Antonyms: keep, face, meet (Translate: astenersi da)

impede

verb - be a hindrance or obstacle to Since the police sergeant had to train the pair of new hires, progress in his own case was ____d. Synonyms: cut off, retard, slow, thwart, stymie, deter, delay, curb, interfere, disrupt Antonyms: permit, aid, assist, expedite, allow, encourage, advance, help, push, forward, promote (Translate: impedire)

denote

verb - be a sign or indication of; have as a meaning Even if the text is not visible, the red octagon ____s stop to all motorists in America. Synonyms: stand for (Translate: indicare)

prevail

verb - be widespread in a particular area at a particular time; be current: During the labor negotiations, an air of hostility ____ed in the office. Synonyms: prove, beat, win, reign, succeed, overcome, triumph, abound Antonyms: surrender, forfeit, lose, fail (Translate: prevalere)

perpetuate

verb - cause to continue If you do not let him do things for himself, you are merely ____ing bad habits that will be even harder to break in the future. Synonyms: preserve, bolster, maintain (Translate: perpetuare)

transmute

verb - change or alter in form, appearance, or nature One of the goals of alchemy was to find the substance or process that would ____ lead into gold. Synonyms: mutate, metamorphose (Translate: trasmutare)

denigrate

verb - charge falsely or with malicious intent; attack the good name and reputation of someone Count Rumford ____d the new theory of heat, demonstrating that it was wholly inadequate to explain the observations. Synonyms: impugn, disparage, defame, slander, vilify, besmirch Antonyms: praise, compliment, flatter, approve, commend (Translate: denigrare)

glean

verb - collect information bit by bit Herb has given us no formal statement about his background, but from various hints, I have ____ed that he grew up in difficult circumstances. Synonyms: cull, extract, gather, sift Antonyms: disperse, put in, divide, separate, spread, plant (Translate: spigolare)

proselytize

verb - convert to another religion, philosophy, or perspective Lisa loves her Mac but says little about it; by contrast, Jake will ____, interrogating anyone with an Android about why she didn't purchase an iPhone. (Translate: fare proseliti)

besmirch

verb - damage the good name and reputation of someone The prince's distasteful choice of words ____ed not only his own name, but the reputation of the entire royal family. Synonyms: defile, slander, blacken Antonyms: honor, praise, upgrade (Translate: imbrattare)

lacerate

verb - deeply hurt the feelings of; distress The teacher was fired for ____ing a student who wrote a poor essay. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE Synonyms: mangle (Translate: lacerare)

disenfranchise

verb - deprive of voting rights The U.S. Constitution ____d women until 1920 when they were given the right to vote. Synonyms: incarcerate, suppress, deprive, coerce, shackle, imprison, subjugate, oppress Antonyms: release, free, let go (Translate: disenfranchise)

flag

verb - droop, sink, or settle from or as if from pressure or loss of tautness; become less intense After the three crushing defeats in the last three games, the team's enthusiasm began to ____. This word has other definitions but this is the most important one for the GRE Synonyms: emblem, banner, streamer Antonyms: enhance, improve, increase, grow, strengthen, rise (Translate: bandiera)

bemoan

verb - express discontent or a stong regret While the CFO carefully explained all the reasons for the cuts in benefits, after the meeting employees ____ed the cuts as further evidence that management was against them. Synonyms: mourn, deplore, regret, lament Antonyms: praise, be happy (Translate: lamentarsi)

coalesce

verb - fuse or cause to grow together Over time, the various tribes ____d into a single common culture with one universal language. Synonyms: consolidate, integrate, fuse, unite Antonyms: divide, separate (Translate: fondersi)

besiege

verb - harass, as with questions or requests; cause to feel distressed or worried After discovering a priceless artifact in her backyard, Jane was ____d by phone calls, emails, and reporters all trying to buy, hold or see the rare piece of history. Synonyms: encircle, beleaguer, beset, blockade, trap Antonyms: let go, aid, assist, help, please (Translate: assediare)

frustrate

verb - hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of I thought I would finish writing the paper by lunchtime, but a number of urgent interruptions served to ____ my plan. Synonyms: hinder, depress, discourage, dishearten, confront, baffle Antonyms: aid, assist, hearten, encourage, help, inspirit (Translate: frustrare)

irk

verb - irritate or vex My little sister has a way of ____ing and annoying me like no other person. Synonyms: annoy, disturb, peeve, bother, inconvenience, irritate, rile Antonyms: aid, soothe, calm, assist, delight, make happy, please, help (Translate: infastidire)

mitigate

verb - lessen the severity of an offense If it weren't for the ____ing circumstances, he would have certainly lost his job. Synonyms: dull, lessen, ease, relieve, reduce, temper, soothe, alleviate Antonyms: increase, worsen, worry, intensify, extend, raise, strengthen, irritate, trouble, upset, aggravate, agitate, provoke (Translate: mitigare)

reconcile

verb - make (one thing) compatible with (another) Peggy was unable to ____ her kind friend Jane with the cruel and merciless character Jane played on television. Synonyms: conform, resolve, appease, coordinate, reunite, assuage, rectify, accommodate, harmonize, placate, pacify, integrate Antonyms: incite, fight, mismatch, irritate, separate, upset, agitate (Translate: conciliare)

elucidate

verb - make clearer and easier to understand Youtube is great place to learn just about anything--an expert ____s finer points so that even a complete novice can learn. Synonyms: exemplify, expound, illuminate, get across, clear up, decode Antonyms: obscure, complicate, cloud, confuse (Translate: chiarire)

mitigate

verb - make less severe or harsh I can only spend so much time ____ing your disagreements with your wife, and at certain point, you need to do it on your own. Synonyms: dull, lessen, ease, relieve, reduce, temper, soothe, alleviate Antonyms: increase, worsen, worry, intensify, extend, raise, strengthen, irritate, trouble, upset, aggravate, agitate, provoke (Translate: mitigare)

tender

verb - offer up something formally The government was loath to ____ more money in the fear that it might set off inflation. Synonyms: supple, delicate Antonyms: indifferent, pragmatic, unromantic, unfeeling, unkind, uncaring, harsh, rough, violent, hard, loud, strong, unaffecting, healthy (Translate: gara)

juxtapose

verb - place side by side The meaning of her paintings comes from a classical style which ____s modern themes. (Translate: giustapporre)

hamper

verb - prevent the progress or free movement of As the rain water began to collect in pools on the highway, it began to ____ the flow of traffic. Antonyms: aid, assist, facilitate, further, permit, benefit, advance, allow, encourage, forward, help, promote, push, support, free, let go (Translate: ostacolare)

champion

verb - protect or fight for as a champion Martin Luther King Jr. ____ed civil rights fiercely throughout his short life. Synonyms: unbeaten, undefeated, super Antonyms: forsake (Translate: campione)

prevail

verb - prove superior Before the cricket match, Australia was heavily favored, but India ____ed. Synonyms: prove, beat, win, reign, succeed, overcome, triumph, abound Antonyms: surrender, forfeit, lose, fail (Translate: prevalere)

refute

verb - prove to be false or incorrect No one could ____ his theories or propositions, and that is why he was esteemed by all his colleagues in the philosophy department. Synonyms: repudiate, contradict, expose, counter, quash, oppose, disprove, squelch, rebut Antonyms: concede, aid, assist, approve, agree, help, allow, support (Translate: confutare)

afford

verb - provide with an opportunity The summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro ____s a panoramic view that encompasses both Tanzania and Kenya. Synonyms: manage, allow Antonyms: deny, refuse, take (Translate: permettersi)

resolve

verb - reach a conclusion after a discussion or deliberation After much thought, Ted ____d not to travel abroad this summer because he didn't have much money in his bank account. Synonyms: boldness, willpower, will, intention, courage Antonyms: cowardice, fear, weakness, unsettle, hesitate, refuse, forget, begin, start, oppose, question (Translate: risolvere)

bristle

verb - react in an offended or angry manner As we discussed the painting, I noticed the artitst's wife ____ing at our criticisms, ready to defend her husband's work. Antonyms: be happy (Translate: setola)

discriminate

verb - recognize or perceive the difference Sarah couldn't ____ between a good wine and a bad wine, so she avoided wine tastings. Synonyms: segregate (Translate: discriminare)

truncate

verb - reduce the length of something The soccer game was ____d when the monsoon rain began to fall. Synonyms: abridge, curtail, abbreviate, cut short Antonyms: enlarge, increase, lengthen, prolong, expand, extend (Translate: troncare)

debase

verb - reduce the quality or value of something The third-rate script so ____d the film that not even the flawless acting could save it from being a flop. Synonyms: disgrace, dishonor, cheapen, demean, demoralize, humiliate Antonyms: honor, upgrade, enhance, esteem, boost, aid, assist, help (Translate: avvilire)

repudiate

verb - reject as untrue or unfounded Many in the public believed the rumors of a UFO crash outside town, so the chief of police did everything he could to ____ the rumors. Synonyms: abandon, recant, revoke, reverse, renounce, dismiss, disavow, break with, spurn, retract, disown, repeal Antonyms: emphasize, enforce, welcome, sanction, keep, approve, allow, accept (Translate: ripudiare)

grovel

verb - show submission or fear Every time Susan comes to the office, Frank ____s as if she were about to fire. Synonyms: fawn, beseech (Translate: strisciare)

maunder

verb - speak (about unimportant matters) rapidly and incessantly After drinking two expressos each, the animated couple would ____ loudly, annoying the other patrons in the coffee shop. (Translate: parlare a vanvera)

vilify

verb - spread negative information about Todd was noble after the divorce, choosing to say only complimentary things about Barbara, but Barbara did not hesitate to ____ Todd. Synonyms: revile, decry, smear, denounce, defame, berate, malign, damn, denigrate, mistreat, assail, disparage, slander Antonyms: compliment, exalt, laud, praise, cherish, approve, commend, favor, glorify, flatter (Translate: diffamare)

glut

verb - supply with an excess of In the middle of economic crises, hiring managers find their inboxes ____ted with resumes. Synonyms: oversupply, saturation, surplus (Translate: eccesso)

conniving

verb - taking part in immoral and unethical plots The queen was so ____ that, with the help of the prince, she tried to overthrow the king. Synonyms: collude, conspire (Translate: connivente)

espouse

verb - to adopt or support an idea or cause As a college student, Charlie ____d Marxism, growing his beard out and railing against the evils of the free-market. Synonyms: adopt, uphold, defend, advocate Antonyms: reject, desert, attack (Translate: sposare)

maintain

verb - to assert The scientist ____ed that the extinction of dinosaurs was most likely brought about by a drastic change in climate. Synonyms: preserve, control, protect, finance, uphold, provide, support, manage Antonyms: destroy, release, ignore, discontinue, hurt, abandon, give up, let go, take, neglect, finish, halt, stop, desert, deny, forsake, attack, quit, forget (Translate: mantenere)

precipitate

verb - to cause to happen The government's mishandling the hurricane's aftermath ____d a widespread outbreak of looting and other criminal activity. Synonyms: hasten, trigger, accelerate, expedite Antonyms: block, hinder, check, halt, stop (Translate: precipitato)

expunge

verb - to eliminate completely When I turned 18, all of the shoplifting and jaywalking charges were ____d from my criminal record. Synonyms: wipe out, annul, exterminate, omit, abolish, erase, extinguish, delete, eradicate Antonyms: create, insert, institute, bear, add, establish, put in (Translate: cancellare)

galvanize

verb - to excite or inspire (someone) to action At mile 23 of his first marathon, Kyle had all but given up, until he noticed his friends and family holding a banner that read, Go Kyle; ____d, he broke into a gallop, finishing the last three miles in less than 20 minutes. Synonyms: shock, energize, invigorate, stun, motivate, excite, jolt Antonyms: dissuade, calm, lull, quiet, comfort, bore, depress, discourage, compose, expect (Translate: zincare)

exasperate

verb - to irritate intensely As a child, I ____d my mother with strings of never-ending questions. Synonyms: annoy, disturb, embitter, peeve, infuriate, vex, excite, incense, enrage Antonyms: aid, soothe, appease, calm, comfort, pacify, quiet, assist, lull, tranquilize, delight, make happy, please, help, compose (Translate: esasperare)

check

verb - to limit (usually modifying the growth of something) Deserted for six months, the property began to look more like a jungle and less like a residence--weeds grew un____ed in the front yard Synonyms: checkup, audit, review Antonyms: ignore, disprove, invalidate, forget, neglect, aid, assist, let go, allow, help, continue, encourage (Translate: dai un'occhiata)

qualify

verb - to make less severe; to limit (a statement) Chris ____ied his love for San Francisco, adding that he didn't like the weather as much as the weather in Los Angeles. Synonyms: enable, score, certify, train, entitle, pass, ready, meet Antonyms: deny, fail, lose (Translate: qualificarsi)

gerrymander

verb - to manipulate voting districts in order to favor a particular political party Years ago, savvy politicians had ____ed the city center to ensure their re-election. Synonyms: fix, manipulate, falsify (Translate: manipolazione)

demur

verb - to object or show reluctance Wallace disliked the cold, so he ____red when his friends suggested they going skiing in the Alps. Synonyms: hesitate, vacillate, waver (Translate: obiettare)

badger

verb - to pester ____ed by his parents to find a job, the 30-year-old loafer instead joined a gang of itinerant musicians. Synonyms: annoy, bully, tease, pester, goad, harass Antonyms: aid, delight, make happy, please, leave alone, help, support (Translate: tasso)

start

verb - to suddenly move in a particular direction All alone in the mansion, Henrietta ____ed when she heard a sound. Synonyms: outset, dawn, kickoff, opening Antonyms: ending, conclusion, end, finish, bad luck, misfortune, hide, cease, destroy, ruin, hold, keep, stop, close, conclude (Translate: cominciare)

desecrate

verb - to willfully violate or destroy a sacred place After ____ing the pharaoh's tomb, the archaeologist soon fell victim to a horrible illness. Synonyms: defile, pervert, profane, pillage, dishonor, ravage Antonyms: honor, purify, protect (Translate: profanare)

pine

verb - to yearn for Standing forlornly by the window, she ____d for her lost love. Synonyms: grieve, crave, hanker, yearn, mourn, ache Antonyms: dislike, hate, be happy (Translate: pino)

maunder

verb - wander aimlessly Max liked to ____ down by the seaside and pick up whatever sea shells he would stumble upon. (Translate: parlare a vanvera)