241. LUCID
241. LUCID
clear
adj. <LOO-sid>
Thanks to Arthur's lucid explanation, that problem no longer
seems confusing to me.
Word Alert: To elucidate (371) is to make something lucid.
242. EFFUSIVE
adj. <ih-FYOO-siv>
242. EFFUSIVE
overflowing (usually referring to emotions)
Donna is such a drama queen; she makes an effusive display
whenever she can't get her way.
243. TERSE
243. TERSE
expressing much in few words
adj. <TURS>
A terse man, my grandfather only speaks when necessary.
Tight-Lipped
reticent (90), succinct (132), concise (176), terse (243), laconic (330)
244. FLAMBOYANT
244. FLAMBOYANT
highly elaborate; showy
adj. <flam-BOY-uhnt>
Known for her flamboyant attire, Sarah wore a bright red
wedding dress.
Flashy
ornate (226),flamboyant(244), garish (374), florid (475)
245. EXTOL
v. <ek-STOHL>
245. EXTOL
to praise
John was so obsessed with Amy that he constantly extolled her
virtues.
Hip Hip Hooray!
laud (80), commend (121), extol (245), acclaim (307), adulation (399),
exalt (402)
246. STRIDENT
246. STRIDENT
harsh, loud
adj. <STREYE-dunt>
Donna is a strident debater, making her point through shouting
rather than persuasion.
Noise Pollution
cacophony (198), strident (246), tumultuous (350), obstreperous (389),
boisterous (390)
247. ABSTRUSE
247. ABSTRUSE
difficult to understand
adj. <ab-STROOS>
I thought 1 understood how to do the problem, but your abstruse
explanation confused me more.
What the-?
ambiguous (55), equivocal (78), enigmatic (97), esoteric (129),
abstruse (247), nebulous (340)
248. TRACTABLE
248. TRACTABLE
easily managed, led, or taught
adj. <TRAK-tuh-buhl>
The teacher was pleased to find that his new students were
tractable and not disruptive.
Synonyms: docile (239)
Word Alert: If the prefix in- means not, what would intractable mean?
249. ILLICIT
adj. <ih-LIS-il>
249. ILLICIT
not permitted by custom or law
She committed an illicit act and now must be punished.
Word Alert: Don't confuse this word with elicit, which means
to evoke (16).
250. FERVENT
adj. <FUR-vuhnt>
250. FERVENT
greatly emotional or enthusiastic
I am so fervently in love with her, I feel feverish!
X-treme Intensity!
zealous (106), fervent (250), ardor (253), impassioned (270),
galvanize (332)
Word Alert: Fervor is a fervent feeling.
251. AMALGAM
n. <uh-MAL-gum>
251. AMALGAM
a combination of diverse elements
The Star Wars movies are an amalgam of traditional science
fiction movies, westerns, and Japanese samurai legends.
Word Alert: To amalgamate is lo make an amalgam.
252. PENCHANT
252. PENCHANT
preference or tendency
n. <PEN-chunt>
Allen has a penchant for strange hats and never leaves the house
without wearing something on his head.
Synonyms: predilection (391), propensity (394)
253. ARDOR
253. ARDOR
energy, intensity, enthusiasm
n. <AHR-der>
John was once overwhelmed by the ardor of his love for Amy,
but that love has now faded.
X-treme Intensity!
zealous (106), fervent (250), ardor (253), impassioned (270),
galvanize (332)
Word Alert: Someone ardent is full of ardor.
254. JADED
254. JADED
weary, worn out
adj. <JAY-dcd>
After having been in so many failed relationships, Amy is now
jaded.
255. RELINQUISH
v. <ri-LIN-k\vish>
255. RELINQUISH
to give up; to release
The captain was forced to relinquish control of the ship to the
mutinous crew.
Synonyms: renounce (196)
256. PARAGON
256. PARAGON
a model of perfection
n. <PAlR-uh-gone or PAlR-uh-gun>
Arthur is a paragon of good sportsmanship; he is always friendly
and polite with his opponents, even after his toughest losses.
Perfect 10
epitomize (104), paragon (256), exemplar (431)
257. EXONERATE
v. <eg-ZON-uh-rayt>
257. EXONERATE
to free from blame or responsibility
"I am not guilty of arson and I will be exonerated of this
charge," said John.
Synonyms: vindicate (321)
258. FLAGRANT
adj. <FLAY-gruhnt>
258. FLAGRANT
obviously bad or offensive
Bringing cookies for the teacher was a flagrant attempt to get on
his good side before he graded the essays.
259. DISSEMINATE
259. DISSEMINATE
to spread widely
v. <di-SEM-uh-nayt>
To get back at Amy, John has been disseminating ugly rumors
about her.
260. MITIGATE
v. <MIT-ih-gayt>
260. MITIGATE
to lessen in force or intensity
This headgear and mouthpiece should mitigate any pain you feel
in the boxing ring.
Feel Better
temper (35), mollify (203), mitigate (260), alleviate (293),
palliative (310)