141. EMINENT
141. EMINENT
outstanding, distinguished*;
standing out, noticeable
adj. <EM-uh-nuhnt>
A-List teachers are emerging as eminent experts in the field of
test preparation.
142. S E R E N E
142. SERENE
calm
adj. <suh-REEN>
While sailing slowly down the stream, 1 felt like I was in a serene
dream.
Chill
serene (142), tranquil (158), placid (164), composed (454),
equanimity (476)
Word Alert: Serenity is the state of being serene.
143. HAIL
143. HAIL
to greet or welcome*;
to praise
v. (rhymes with "mail")
Everyone in the village hailed the king as he passed by.
144. INCREDULOUS
144. INCREDULOUS
disbelieving
adj. <in-KRE-juh-luhs>
The incredulous detective refused to believe John's incredible
story.
Synonyms: skeptical (3)
Word Alert: Don't confuse this word with incredible.
Word Alert: Credulous means tending to believe anything.
145. C O N F O U N D
v. <kon-FOUND>
145. CONFOUND
to confuse
The inscription on the ancient tomb was written in a strange
language that confounded even the experts.
Synonyms: obfuscate (193)
146. A P P R E H E N S I VE
146. APPREHENSIVE
fearful
adj. <ap-ri-HEN-siv>
John was so apprehensive before his blind date with Becky that
he peed his pants.
147. ENUMERAT E
v.
<i-NOO-muh-rayt>
147. ENUMERATE
to specify individually, to count
My boss enumerated each and every task he expected me to
complete.
148. PREVALENT
148. PREVALENT
widespread
adj. <PREH-va-lent>
Smoking is unfortunately prevalent among teenagers.
149. OBLIVIOUS
149. OBLIVIOUS
forgetful;
unaware*
adj. <uh-BLIV-ee-uhs>
Chapman was oblivious to the dangers of hiking and got a severe
poison ivy rash as a result.
Word Alert: Oblivion is the state of being completely forgotten.
150. GRANDIOSE
adj. <gran-dee-OHS>
150. GRANDIOSE
incredibly large;
falsely exaggerating one's worth*
Bob has grandiose dreams of being king.
Cocky
elitist (47), pretentious (52), condescend (117), grandiose (150),
bombastic (155), patronize (356), pompous (452), haughty (463)
151. RESIGNATION
n. <re-zig-NAY-shun>
151. RESIGNATION
submission, acceptance of something as
inevitable
The game wasn't over yet, but the players felt resignation over
the fact that they would not win.
Word Alert: To be resigned is to feel resignation.
152. MAGNANIMOUS
152. MAGNANIMOUS
noble and generous in spirit
adj. <mag-NAN-uh-muhs>
Scott is a magnanimous man and has forgiven John for
everything he has done.
Synonyms: benevolent (99)
153. BELIE
153. BELIE
to represent falsely
v. <bch-LYE>
John's laughter belies the true pain he feels inside.
154. EXACERBATE
154. EXACERBATE
to make more severe
v. <cx-ASS-er-batc>
Walking on an injured leg will only exacerbate the injury.
155. BOMBASTIC
adj. <bom-BAS-tik>
155. BOMBASTIC
using arrogant or pretentious speech
My bombastic English teacher uses big words to show off how
smart he is, but he never actually says anything meaningful.
Cocky
elitist (47), pretentious (52), condescend (117), grandiose (150),
bombastic (155), patronize (356), pompous (452), haughty (463)
Word Alert: Bombastic is also close in meaning to verbose (412).
156. ADROIT
156. ADROIT
very skilled
adj. <uh-DROIT>
The adroit acrobat twirled and whirled through the air.
Synonyms: adept (111)
Word Alert: If the prefix nial- means bad, what would maladroit mean?
157. INCONSEQUENTIAL
157. INCONSEQUENTIAL
unimportant
adj. <in-kon-si-KWEN-shuhl>
Your social life is inconsequential! Your academic life is all
that matters! Now study!
Synonyms: trivial (33), frivolous (186), negligible (395)
Word Alert: Consequential means important, or having a consequence.
158. TRANQUIL
158. TRANQUIL
calm
adj. <TRAN-kwil>
The lullaby soon lulled the crying baby into a tranquil state.
Chill
serene (142), tranquil (158), placid (164), composed (454),
equanimity (476)
Word Alert: Tranquility is the state of being tranquil. A tranquilizer is a
drug that makes you tranquil.
159. LAVISH
159. LAVISH
excessive; plentiful
adj. <LAV-ish>
Known for his lavish lifestyle, the billionaire partied at only the
most expensive clubs.
Overboard
extravagant (76), lavish (159), opulent (346), luxurious (456),
exorbitant (471)
160. RESOLUTE
adj. <REZ-uh-loot>
160. RESOLUTE
firm or determined
A good soldier must be resolute in battle and never surrender.
Synonyms: steadfast (197)