161. NONCHALANT
161. NONCHALANT
casually unconcerned
adj. <NON-shah-LONT>
My girlfriend nonchalantly said she was fine, but 1 could tell she
was still mad at me.
Synonyms: indifferent (10), apathetic (38)
162. PLACID
162. PLACID
calm, quiet
adj. <PLAS-id>
Sitting by this placid lake helps me meditate.
Chill
serene (142), tranquil (158), placid (164), composed (454), equanimity
(476)
163. OPPORTUNE
adj. <op-er-TOON>
163. OPPORTUNE
suitable, occurring at an appropriate time
Because prices are so low, this is an opportune time to buy a
house.
Word Alert: An opportunity is an opportune circumstance.
An opportunist is someone who (selfishly) seizes opportunities.
164. DILIGENT
164. DILIGENT
hard working
adj. <DIL-i-juhnt>
You must be diligent in your study of vocabulary: learn new
words every night!
Synonyms: assiduous (489)
165. S U P P L A N T
v. <suh-PLANT>
165. SUPPLANT
to take the place of
John still hopes to supplant Scott and be the only man in Amy's
life.
166. MANDATE
n.
166. MANDATE
an authoritative command
<MAN-dayt>
When my master issues a mandate, I must obey.
Word Alert: A mandate is something that is mandatory.
167. PROLIFERATE
v.
<pruh-LIF-uh-rayt>
167. PROLIFERATE
to increase or spread at a rapid rate
The disease prolircratcd uncontrollably and literally ate almost
his entire body.
168. ERRATIC
168. ERRATIC
irregular
adj. <ih-RAT-ik>
Chapman's erratic behavior led us to believe he was having
trouble with his personal life.
Unpredictable
arbitrary (40), whimsical (69), capricious (130), erratic (168),
impetuous (175), volatile (341), mutable (359), mercurial (387)
169. INSOLENT
adj. <IN-suh-luhnt>
169. INSOLENT
disrespectfully arrogant
The insolent soldier told his commanding officer to shut up.
Synonyms: audacity (378)
170. ANACHRONISTIC
adj. <uh-nak-ruh-NIS-tik>
170. ANACHRONISTIC
in the wrong time period
Missiles in a movie about Mozart would be anachronistic.
Word Alert: An anachronism is something that is anachronistic.
171. GUILE
171. GUILE
skillful deceit
n. <GUYL>
Using guile and a smile, the hustler tricked me out of my life
savings.
Shady
guile (17I), duplicity (19I), cunning(362), treachery (372)
172. EVASIVE
172. EVASIVE
tending to escape;
intentionally vague*
adj. <ih-VAY-siv>
When we accused Dave of cheating, he gave an evasive response
without confirming or denying the charge.
Gone with the Wind
elusive (84), evasive (172), ephemeral (287), transitory (407),
transient (498)
Word Alert: To evade means to escape.
Word Alert: Evasive is also similar in meaning to equivocal (78).
173. DISPOSITION
173. DISPOSITION
one's usual mood
n. <dis-puh-ZIH-shuhn>
John has a sour disposition; he always seems to be unhappy
about something.
174. PRECARIOUS
adj. <pri-KAIR-cc-uhs>
174. PRECARIOUS
dangerously unstable or insecure
I'm in a precarious position right now; I'm holding on with just
one finger.
175. IMPETUOUS
adj. <im-PET-choo-uhs>
175. IMPETUOUS
impulsive, unthinking
The impetuous child always acts on his first desire without
considering the consequences.
Unpredictable
arbitrary (40), whimsical (69), capricious (130), erratic (168),
impetuous (175), volatile (341), mutable (359), mercurial (387)
176. CONCISE
176. CONCISE
expressing much in few words
adj. <kuhn-SICE>
A well-crafted sentence should be concise and free of
unnecessary repetition.
Tight-Lipped
reticent (90), succinct (132), concise (176), terse (243), laconic (330)
177. INHIBIT
177. INHIBIT
to hold back; to restrain
v. <in-HIB-it>
John's fear of rejection inhibits his ability to meet other women.
Road Block
inhibit (177), hinder (183), thwart (272), hamper (297),
encumbrance (301), impede (418)
178. WARY
adj. <WAIR-ee> (rhymes with "hairy")
178. WARY
on guard, cautious, watchful
Be wary of strangers who offer you candy.
Synonyms: vigilant (398)
179. RECLUSIVE
adj. <ri-KLOOS-iv>
179. RECLUSIVE
seeking or preferring isolation
The reclusive author always refuses to give interviews about his
work.
Word Alert: A recluse is someone who is reclusive.
180. ACCORD
n. <uh-KORD>
180. ACCORD
agreement
After signing the treaty, the leaders of the two countries shook
hands as a sign of their new accord.
Like-Minded
conform (32), uniform (73), consensus (88), accord (180), concord (207),
concur (279)
Word Alert: Accord can also be a verb meaning to agree.