List 23

  1. Allusive

    • Pronunciation: uh-LOO-siv
    • Meaning: Making indirect references or hints
    • Mnemonic: “A LOOSE view” suggests indirect referencing
    • Example: Her allusive writing style required deep literary knowledge

  2. Astute

    • Pronunciation: uh-STOOT
    • Meaning: Having keen insight and understanding
    • Mnemonic: “A SHOOT of wisdom” implies sharp perception
    • Example: An astute businessman anticipates market trends

  3. Commence

    • Pronunciation: kuh-MENS
    • Meaning: To begin or start
    • Mnemonic: “COM(E) MENCE” signals starting point
    • Example: Classes will commence next Monday

  4. Convalescent

    • Pronunciation: kon-vuh-LES-uhnt
    • Meaning: Recovering from illness or medical treatment
    • Mnemonic: “CON VALIANT” suggests healing strength
    • Example: The convalescent patient slowly regained health

  5. Curb

    • Pronunciation: KURB
    • Meaning: Restrict or control
    • Mnemonic: “CURB your enthusiasm” implies limitation
    • Example: Governments try to curb inflation

  6. Decry

    • Pronunciation: dih-KRY
    • Meaning: Publicly criticize or condemn
    • Mnemonic: “DE-CRY” suggests vocal criticism
    • Example: Activists decry social injustice

  7. Duress

    • Pronunciation: duh-RES
    • Meaning: Compulsion through threats or pressure
    • Mnemonic: “DORESS” implies forced action
    • Example: He confessed under duress

  8. Evoke

    • Pronunciation: ih-VOKE
    • Meaning: Bring to mind or produce an emotional response
    • Mnemonic: “E-VOKE” suggests memory triggering
    • Example: The music evoked childhood memories

  9. Fawn

    • Pronunciation: FAWN
    • Meaning: Display exaggerated affection to gain favor
    • Mnemonic: “FALL” and “AWN” suggest excessive flattery
    • Example: Employees would fawn over the boss

  10. Fret

    • Pronunciation: FRET
    • Meaning: Be constantly worried or anxious
    • Mnemonic: “FRET-ful worry” implies continuous concern
    • Example: She would fret about potential problems

  11. Headstrong

    • Pronunciation: HED-strong
    • Meaning: Determined to have one’s own way; stubborn
    • Mnemonic: “HEAD so STRONG it can’t be turned” (imagine a giant, immovable head)
    • Example: The headstrong teenager refused to listen to advice

  12. Intermittent

    • Pronunciation: in-ter-MIT-ent
    • Meaning: Occurring at irregular intervals; not continuous
    • Mnemonic: “IN-TERMITE” eating through time inconsistently (like a scattered termite)
    • Example: The signal was intermittent during the storm

  13. Ire

    • Pronunciation: IRE
    • Meaning: Anger or wrath
    • Mnemonic: “I-R-E” = “I Really Explode” when angry
    • Example: His ire was evident when he slammed the door

  14. Languid

    • Pronunciation: LANG-wid
    • Meaning: 1. Casual and relaxed; 2. Weak from disease or weariness
    • Mnemonic: “HANG WIDE” and flop like a lazy jellyfish
    • Example: The languid summer afternoon made everyone sleepy

  15. Lull

    • Pronunciation: LUL
    • Meaning: 1. A brief pause or delay; 2. To calm or soothe
    • Mnemonic: “Lu-LLAMA” taking a peaceful nap
    • Example: There was a lull in the conversation

  16. Mettlesome

    • Pronunciation: MET-ul-sum
    • Meaning: Spirited and brave
    • Mnemonic: “METAL AWESOME” - tough as metal and cool
    • Example: The mettlesome soldier rescued his teammates

  17. Mollify

    • Pronunciation: MOL-uh-fy
    • Meaning: Calm or reduce the anger of someone
    • Mnemonic: “MOLE-ify” (imagine a cute mole smoothing out anger)
    • Example: She tried to mollify her angry boss

  18. Neutralize

    • Pronunciation: NOO-truh-lize
    • Meaning: Counteract or cancel the effect of something
    • Mnemonic: “NEUTRAL EYES” looking objectively to balance things
    • Example: The medication helps neutralize the poison

  19. Nonplussed

    • Pronunciation: non-PLUST
    • Meaning: Unsure about what to say or do; confused
    • Mnemonic: “NO PLUS SENSE” (totally bewildered)
    • Example: He was nonplussed by the unexpected news

  20. Precipitous

    • Pronunciation: preh-SIP-uh-tus
    • Meaning: 1. Extremely steep; 2. Done quickly without care
    • Mnemonic: “PRAY-CITY-PUSS” (imagine a cat sliding down a steep cliff)
    • Example: The precipitous mountain path was dangerous

  21. Pretentious

    • Pronunciation: prih-TEN-shus
    • Meaning: Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance
    • Mnemonic: “PRETEND TENSION” (trying too hard to look important)
    • Example: His pretentious vocabulary impressed no one

  22. Profound

    • Pronunciation: pruh-FOUND
    • Meaning: Having deep insight or knowledge
    • Mnemonic: “PRO FOUND” (professional level of understanding)
    • Example: The philosopher’s profound insights changed perspectives

  23. Propagate

    • Pronunciation: PROP-uh-gate
    • Meaning: Spread or promote widely
    • Mnemonic: “PROP A GATE” open to let ideas spread
    • Example: Social media helps propagate information quickly

  24. Recourse

    • Pronunciation: REE-kors
    • Meaning: A source of help or strategies in difficult situations
    • Mnemonic: “RE-COURSE” (alternative route when stuck)
    • Example: Legal action was his only recourse

  25. Refute

    • Pronunciation: rih-FYOOT
    • Meaning: Prove to be wrong or false
    • Mnemonic: “RE-FOOT” (kick away false arguments)
    • Example: The scientist could refute the outdated theory

  26. Repercussion

    • Pronunciation: ree-per-KUSH-un
    • Meaning: An unintended consequence of an event
    • Mnemonic: “REAPER-cushion” (consequences hit like a soft, deadly pillow)
    • Example: His hasty decision had serious repercussions

  27. Replenish

    • Pronunciation: rih-PLEN-ish
    • Meaning: Fill something up again
    • Mnemonic: “RE-PLANET” (restore a planet to fullness)
    • Example: She needed to replenish her water bottle

  28. Vigilant

    • Pronunciation: VIJ-uh-lunt
    • Meaning: Keeping careful watch for potential dangers
    • Mnemonic: “VIGI-ELEPHANT” (a massive, alert elephant watching)
    • Example: The security guard remained vigilant all night

  29. Glib

    • Pronunciation: GLIB
    • Meaning: Fluent but insincere and shallow
    • Mnemonic: “GLIBLY LYING” (smooth-talking without depth)
    • Example: His glib explanation didn’t convince anyone

  30. Regress

    • Pronunciation: rih-GRES
    • Meaning: Move backward to an earlier or less advanced state
    • Mnemonic: “RE-GROSS” (going back to something unpleasant)
    • Example: After therapy, he began to regress to childhood behaviors