The 369 must-know SAT words.

to reduce in amount, degree, or severity.

The headache abated after taking medicine.

to hate or detest.

She abhors cruelty to animals.

to refrain or hold back voluntarily.

He abstained from smoking.

a gradual buildup or growth by addition.

An accretion of dust covered the furniture.

sharp, biting, or caustic in tone.

She made an acerbic retort.

to gain possession of.

He acquired a taste for opera.

keen insight or judgment.

She has excellent business acumen.

to stick fast or cleave.

The stamp adhered to the envelope.

to caution or advise against.

The teacher admonished the students not to be late.

friendly, good-natured, and easy to talk to.

He had an affable manner that made everyone comfortable.

relating to beauty or good taste.

She appreciated modernist aesthetics in art.

to relieve or make more bearable.

Medication helped alleviate her pain.

friendly and good-natured.

His amiable personality drew people to him.

more than sufficient in size or scope.

We had ample time to finish the test.

similar or comparable in certain respects.

This process is analogous to how a cell works.

something that deviates from the norm.

Finding the artifact was an archaeological anomaly.

a deep dislike or aversion.

He had an antipathy for crowds.

chosen at random, without reason.

It seemed an arbitrary decision, without rationale.

having an exaggerated sense of self-importance.

The arrogant dictator ignored the people's needs.

to strive for or ambition to achieve a goal.

She aspired to become an engineer.

a strong feeling of dislike, distaste, or hostility.

He had an aversion to spinach since childhood.

lacking originality, freshness, or novelty.

The movie's banal plot was forgettable.

to make someone or something seem unimportant.

The bullies belittled the shy student.

hostile, aggressive, or pugnacious.

The belligerent gang was known for fighting.

characterized by or expressing goodwill.

He made a benevolent donation to the animal shelter.

to give vital support, reinforce, or strengthen.

Extra tutoring helped bolster the struggling math student's skills.

high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated or pretentious language.

The politician's bombastic rhetoric failed to impress voters.

a blessing, timely benefit, or assistance.

Winning the scholarship was a boon that enabled her to attend college.

concise expression without wasted words.

Brevity is essential in a 30-second commercial.

abrupt or offhand in speech or manner; rudely concise.

My request was met with a brusque refusal.

very complicated or intricate.

The byzantine tax codes were impossible to decipher.

showing little sympathy for others; insensitive.

He acted in a callous way toward those less fortunate.

free from agitation, disturbance, or tumult; absent of wind.

The calm lake reflected the serene sky.

honesty, frankness, or sincere expression.

I appreciated her candor and straightforward advice.

characterized by or subject to whim; impulsive; unpredictable.

My capricious toddler was happy one minute, fussy the next.

to punish or criticize severely.

The boss castigated the employee for repeated mistakes.

blame or condemn.

The senator was censured for unethical conduct.

moral qualities distinctive to an individual; integrity and values.

She is known for her outstanding character and ethics.

cautious or prudent, especially in speech or action.

We were circumspect in sharing details until we understood the risks involved.

rough, harsh, or uneven in texture; lacking refinement or elegance.

His coarse language was inappropriate at the dignified ceremony.

composed of interconnected or complicated parts.

The complex machine required an experienced mechanic.

expressing much in few words.

A concise summary of the research findings.

to act in accordance with rules, standards, or customs.

She refused to conform by wearing the uniform.

guided by or in accordance with conscience or sense of right; governed by principle.

A conscientious decision after much deliberation.

remaining unchanged or fixed; showing loyalty or faithfulness.

Water's boiling point is a physical constant.

to consider thoughtfully.

She contemplated all possible outcomes before deciding.

to give or supply along with others.

We all contributed food to the potluck dinner.

scarcity or lack.

There is a dearth of jobs in this struggling economy.

boldly resistant to authority or any opposing force.

The defiant protestors refused to disperse.

fragile, frail, or vulnerable; requiring gentle handling.

The delicate crystal shattered when dropped.

to establish or prove by example; clear explanation.

The experiment demonstrated the laws of physics.

to ridicule, mock, or scornfully laugh at.

The bullies derided the shy student's stutter.

depressing, bleak, lifeless; barren.

The remote desert island was completely desolate.

to separate or disengage from association.

He detached the document from the email before forwarding.

characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic application.

The diligent student made sure to study every day.

to make known, reveal, or uncover.

The CEO disclosed the company's financial problems.

causing gloom or depression.

The dismal weather matched her sad mood.

to spread or scatter widely.

The police dispersed the rowdy crowd that gathered in the park.

doubtful or suspect; of uncertain quality or outcome.

She had dubious qualifications for the job.

boring, monotonous, lacking sharpness.

The dull lecture soon put me to sleep.

deriving ideas or style from a diverse range of sources.

Their home decor had an eclectic mix of modern and antique.

to instruct, improve, or enlighten.

The book was both entertaining and edifying.

relating to or believing in equality for all people.

He advocated an egalitarian society.

to draw forth or bring out.

Skillful questioning elicited her eyewitness account.

prominent, distinguished, or noteworthy.

The eminent scholar was awarded the Nobel Prize.

the ability to understand another's perspective, feelings, or difficulties.

She showed genuine empathy for the grieving widow.

something or someone puzzling, mysterious, or difficult to understand.

The coded message was an enigma they couldn't decipher.

open to more than one interpretation; purposefully vague or ambiguous.

His equivocal instructions left me confused about what to do.

to summon or call forth.

Childhood photos evoked strong memories from long ago.

precise, accurate, or correct in every detail.

Could you give me the exact amount needed?

suitable for achieving a particular end; pragmatically useful.

In a crisis, quick action may be more expedient than detailed planning.

clearly and directly stated, leaving no room for confusion.

The teacher was explicit that assignments must be turned in on time.

to praise highly or glorify.

The eulogy extolled the deceased's virtues and accomplishments.

to free or release from a difficult situation or entanglement.

Firefighters extricated the injured driver from the mangled car.

to make easier or help bring about.

The mediator helped facilitate an agreement.

to understand something thoroughly.

I couldn't fathom his reason for quitting without notice.

silly, foolish, smugly ignorant.

He made fatuous arguments that revealed little understanding of the issue.

weak, ineffective, incompetent; irresponsible.

His feckless leadership led the company to ruin.

great warmth and intensity of feeling.

She spoke with fervor about her political beliefs.

frequently changing, erratic.

His fickle behavior left her confused.

glaringly bad or offensive; a flagrant foul during the game.

Flagrant disregard for the law.

thin and easily bent or damaged; lacking plausibility.

She offered a flimsy excuse for missing class.

to openly disregard rules or conventions.

She flouted the school dress code with her outfit.

practicing or reflecting economy in use of resources; simple, plain, cost-efficient.

They lived a frugal lifestyle and saved money where they could.

excessively talkative, especially about trivial matters.

My garrulous neighbor loved chatting over the fence each morning.

relevant and appropriate for the subject at hand.

His rambling anecdote was not germane to the discussion.

serious; requiring consideration.

The doctor had a grave expression when giving the prognosis.

sociable, seeking and enjoying the company of others.

Humans are naturally gregarious and form bonds through social contact.

blatant, outrageous, or unambiguous; lacking refinement or dignity.

His gross exaggerations undermined his credibility.

cunning, deceitful shrewdness or treachery.

She betrayed her friend out of pure guile.

easily persuaded to believe something; naive, credulous.

The scammer took advantage of gullible people.

arrogantly superior, disdainful, looking down on others.

The haughty queen barely acknowledged the peasants.

to pause in uncertainty or have difficulty choosing.

She hesitated before exiting the stage, nerves getting the best of her.

to hamper, obstruct, or delay.

The snowstorm will likely hinder travel plans.

having or showing ill will, animosity, opposition.

The hostile crowd shouted angrily at the politician.

exaggerated statements or claims not meant to be taken literally; Saying he was starving was hyperbole.

one who attacks or undermines traditional conventions or institutions.

The rebel was an iconoclast who challenged the status quo.

to worship or admire intensely and often excessively.

Young girls often idolize celebrities and pop stars.

to supply or brighten with light; enlighten.

His lecture helped illuminate and explain Plato's philosophy.

something that deceives or misleads intellectually.

The magician created illusions that seemed to defy physics.

to clarify or explain through use of examples, analogies, pictures.

The textbook illustrations made the topic clearer.

unchanging; unable to be changed or transformed.

The laws of mathematics are immutable, fixed pillars of logic.

treating all sides equally; unbiased, objective.

As a judge, she prided herself on being impartial.

to interfere with, slow the progress of, or obstruct.

The fallen tree impeded traffic for hours.

about to happen, imminent, approaching.

We prepared for the impending storm.

implied but not expressly stated.

There was an implicit threat that loomed without being uttered.

acting on sudden desires or whims; prone to act on instinct rather than thought.

Buying the expensive luxury car was an impulsive decision she later regretted.

unintentional; not resulting from or due to a particular cause; His insult was inadvertent.

showing keen discernment, sharpness of mind.

Her incisive critiques greatly improved the manuscript.

lacking logical or meaningful connection; disjointed; scrambled.

His incoherent ramblings made little sense to the rest of us.

inconsistent; not harmonious.

The bright pink couch was incongruous with the room's subdued color scheme.

incapable of being corrected or reformed; naughty; mischievous.

The incorrigible bully would not change his ways despite intervention.

unable or unwilling to believe something.

She was incredulous that she won the lottery against such odds.

making marks that cannot be erased, washed away, or removed.

Childhood memories of summers at the lake were indelible, never fading with time.

lack of interest, concern, or sympathy.

His indifference towards her was obvious by his disengaged manner.

angrily offended due to perceived unfair treatment.

I was indignant after being accused without cause.

impossible to question or doubt; unquestionable.

The evidence was indisputable that he was guilty of the crime.

lacking power to move, lifeless, inactive.

The car remained inert after the battery died.

impossible to avoid; certain to eventually happen.

Death is the inevitable conclusion of life.

harmless, causing no damage or offense.

The comments in her speech were innocuous enough not to provoke much reaction.

stealthily and harmfully treacherous or deceitful.

Cancer can be an insidious disease, quietly spreading before detection.

firm adherence to moral principles; honesty, incorruptibility.

Known for his integrity, they trusted he would do what was right.

possessing or displaying great concentration, zeal, or feeling.

She spoke with intense passion that swayed the crowd.

occurring at irregular intervals; on and off; starting and stopping.

The intermittent windshield wipers cleared the rain from the glass.

belonging naturally to someone or something; innate, inherent.

Learning is an intrinsic reward of teaching.

immediate insight or understanding without conscious reasoning.

He relied on intuition to make split-second decisions under pressure.

to overwhelm as if with a flood.

My desk was inundated with paperwork.

imaginative, creative, able to think of new things or solve problems uniquely.

Her inventive recipes were a big hit on her cooking blog.

turned inside out or upside down; reversed in position or order.

The plane flew upside down in an inverted loop.

not applicable or related to the subject at hand.

His rambling story was irrelevant to the topic being discussed.

showing lack of due respect or veneration.

The student's irreverent remarks during chapel earned him a detention.

showing sound judgment; wise and prudent.

After judicious thought, she made the right choice.

eagerly enthusiastic; intensely sensitive or perceptive.

He had a keen interest in astronomy and could name many constellations.

relating to or resulting from motion.

Kinetic or dynamic.

possessing expertise or extensive information.

My attorney is very knowledgeable about tax law.

using few words; terse, succinct.

His laconic reply gave little information.

to mourn or express grief over, usually due to loss.

She lamented over a faded photo from her childhood.

lacking energy, vitality or strength; lazy and relaxed.

Moving with languid grace, the cat stretched in a patch of sunlight.

clear, easy to perceive or understand; expressing oneself intelligibly and rationally.

After a good night's rest, she awoke feeling lucid and refreshed.

kind, forgiving, noble in spirit; extraordinarily generous.

The magnanimous victor helped his opponent to his feet.

intentionally harmful, spiteful, or evil.

capable of being shaped or formed; adaptable, moldable.

Gold is an extremely malleable metal that can be hammered into thin sheets.

to show or demonstrate something clearly; to reveal or display.

Her sadness over the breakup was manifest by her tear-streaked face.

characterized by great attention to detail; very careful and precise.

The meticulous craftsman produced flawless work.

to interpret something erroneously; take in a wrong sense.

She misconstrued the honking horn to be meant as an insult.

humble, unassuming, not boastful; moderate in size or amount.

She had a modest upbringing but achieved wild success.

ordinary, everyday, unexciting; routine.

Paying bills and cleaning are mundane household chores.

vague, cloudy, lacking clearly defined form.

The future was nebulous, and no one knew exactly what to expect.

the condition of being famous or well-known, typically for negative reasons.

The criminal loved the notoriety that came with his heists.

refreshingly new or different.

The novel gadget seemed like something from the distant future.

a subtle difference or distinction in expression or meaning.

There were subtle nuances in meaning between those two words that most people missed.

unaware; unconscious; having no memory.

She was oblivious to the gossip swirling around her as she hummed a happy tune.

no longer used, out of date.

Replaced by email, fax machines are now obsolete.

stubbornly adhering to an attitude, opinion, or course of action.

Despite repeated warnings, he was obstinate about changing his risky ways.

threatening or foreshadowing evil, misfortune, or trouble.

Dark clouds loomed ominously on the horizon before the violent storm struck.

involving heavy effort, burden, or hardship.

The onerous chore of clearing the snowy driveway took several grueling hours.

impenetrable by light; not reflecting light.

Heavy fog made driving conditions opaque, obscuring all visibility.

not transparent; impossible to see through.

This ceramic vase has an opaque milky glaze over the outside.

characterized by extravagant luxury and sumptuousness.

The opulent mansion had every expensive amenity imaginable.

to exclude or banish from a group or society.

The mean girls ostracized the new student, ignoring and shunning her.

done or shown openly, plainly apparent; not hidden.

His overt stare made his attraction to her obvious.

to lessen the severity of; moderate.

His medication helped palliate, but not eliminate, his chronic pain.

insignificant or inadequate.

The paltry sum barely covered expenses.

a statement seeming to contradict itself but that may nonetheless be true.

The phrase "less is more" initially seems paradoxical but contains some truth.

deeply, seriously thoughtful; lost in thought.

She grew pensive and withdrew into silent contemplation.

to become aware of through the senses.

I faintly perceived the floral scent through the strong odor of coffee.

routine, mechanical, done without care.

His perfunctory handshake revealed his apathy toward meeting me.

extremely hazardous or dangerous.

We wisely turned back from the perilous mountain path.

to spread throughout or penetrate something.

The odor of garlic permeated the entire kitchen.

uninterrupted, ceaseless, eternal.

The perpetual tide ebbs and flows without pause.

to persist despite obstacles or adversity.

She persevered through injuries to achieve her Olympic dream.

acutely perceptive or discerning; penetrating.

The detective was known for his perspicacious observations at crime scenes.

directly and significantly related to the matter at hand.

His pertinent insights shed new light on the issue being discussed.

to read or examine, typically with thoroughness or care.

I perused the document carefully before signing it.

rudely impatient, irritable; childishly sulky or bad-tempered.

The petulant toddler threw a tantrum when refused candy before dinner.

an observable fact or event; something extraordinary or remarkable.

A meteor shower is a natural phenomenon.

relating to philosophy; calm, stoic, guided by reason.

He faced hardship with a philosophical attitude, trying to understand life's deeper purpose.

to make less hostile or angry, typically by showing willingness to negotiate or compromise.

The management tried to placate the dissatisfied workers by promising better conditions.

free from disturbance or tumult; calm, peaceful, undisturbed.

The placid lake reflected the serene sky flawlessly.

seemingly or apparently valid, likely, or acceptable; believable.

She offered a plausible excuse for missing the appointment.

a bad or unfortunate situation.

Her financial plight gradually worsened until she lost her house.

to consider or reflect on something carefully and thoroughly.

He pondered the implications of his momentous decision for days.

sensible, realistic, concerned with actual usage.

Her idea offered a practical solution that could be easily implemented.

practical, down-to-earth, oriented toward results.

We took a pragmatic approach focused on finding solutions that would actually work.

dangerously lacking stability or certainty; dependent on chance.

The vase was in a precarious position on the tilting table.

an act that establishes a model or guide for subsequent situations.

The legal precedent influenced similar cases for years.

marked by exactness and accuracy.

Could you be more precise about the time you arrived?

to prevent from happening; exclude.

Circumstances precluded her from accepting the job offer.

a preference, partiality, prepossession.

His predilection for the color blue was evident in his wardrobe.

superior in achievement or standing; foremost.

She is the preeminent expert in her scientific field.

to plan or plot in advance.

The robbery was premeditated, not spontaneous.

a proposition upon which an argument, theory, or calculation is based.

The conclusions relied on a false premise.

overstepping due bounds; taking liberties.

I felt it was presumptuous of him to assume we were friends.

a false display, a claim not supported by fact.

His anger was just a pretense to cover his sadness and hurt.

widespread, common, predominant.

Flu was prevalent that winter, affecting thousands in the city.

guided by moral values.

She was a principled leader who always tried to do what was right.

abundant in size, force, or extent; extraordinary.

Gustav had prodigious strength despite his small frame.

speech that condemns or demeans that which is sacred or divine; foul, offensive language.

The unruly student shouted profanity across the playground.

showing deep knowledge and insight.

His speech shared profound wisdom from decades of experience.

abundantly productive; immensely creative.

The prolific composer created hundreds of musical works in his lifetime.

to lengthen in duration, scope, or extent.

They prolonged their vacation a few extra days.

widely known and esteemed; conspicuous, important.

The prominent landmark could be seen across the countryside.

to proclaim or put a law or policy into action or force.

The president promulgated a controversial new initiative.

wisely careful and sensible, marked by sound judgment.

It would be more prudent to save for retirement than splurge on a fancy car.

sharply affecting the senses, stinging; having a penetrating quality.

The pungent onion made my eyes water as I chopped it.

a state of perplexity, uncertainty what to do.

I faced an ethical quandary between competing loyalties.

a question, inquiry.

Her gracious query made me feel welcome at the event.

to argue or complain about trivial matters.

He has a tendency to quibble over minor details.

at rest, dormant, temporarily inactive.

The volcanoes were quiescent for centuries before unexpectedly erupting.

idealistic without regard to practicality; impractical or unrealistic.

His quixotic plan had little chance of succeeding in the real world.

everyday, mundane, commonplace.

Making my morning coffee was part of my quotidian routine.

having a harsh or unpleasant smell or taste, often due to decay.

The rancid milk was spoiled and inedible.

refined; relating to a select group.

The rarefied intellectual discussion was beyond me.

acting hastily without deliberation; abrupt decision making.

It was rash of him to quit his job without another one lined up.

to reject bluntly; snub.

She rebuffed his flirtatious advances.

a refutation or contradiction in argument.

My opponent offered a lengthy rebuttal to each of my points.

obstinately defiant; stubbornly resistant to authority.

The recalcitrant child flatly refused to obey her parents' rules.

to retract a previous statement; take back as erroneous.

Under questioning, she recanted her earlier testimony.

a person who lives a solitary life, avoiding other people; a loner.

After his wife passed away, the recluse rarely spoke to anyone.

to make consistent or compatible; settle.

I tried to reconcile the contradictory statements.

to prove a claim false or erroneous.

New evidence has refuted the old assumptions.

royal; fit for a king; dignified and majestic.

She exuded regal poise and confidence.

to assign to an unimportant position.

The actor was relegated to minor supporting roles after starring in films.

to savor or delight in.

I relished every moment of the long-awaited vacation.

unwilling, hesitant; not eager.

She was reluctant to move across the country, leaving her home and friends.

to recall and talk about past experiences or events.

Grandpa loved reminiscing about the old days.

deep regret or guilt for doing wrong.

He felt remorse for his unkind words.

to provide, deliver, or represent.

I will render assistance any way I can.

to fail to honor a commitment or promise.

She reneged on her offer to help with the bake sale.

fame, celebrated reputation.

Cities of great renown that attract many tourists.

deserving severe condemnation, completely unacceptable.

Society considered racism utterly reprehensible.

to express disapproval or disappointment of someone or something; to criticize or rebuke.

No parent likes to receive reproach from a teacher about their child.

an unprincipled, wicked person.

That reprobate was nothing but trouble and should be avoided.

to refuse to accept or support; reject as untrue or unjustified.

He officially repudiated the rumor and cleared up the misconception.

doubts, hesitations, qualifications.

I had some reservations about attending the conference.

able to recover from adversity; flexible.

The resilient tree could endure high winds, bending without breaking.

firm determination; resolve.

My New Year's resolution is to exercise daily.

controlled; reserved; not showy.

She gave a restrained but moving performance.

deserved punishment for wrongdoing.

He avoided jail, but retribution finally caught up to him.

feeling or displaying a sense of awe and respect.

She had a reverent admiration of nature's power and beauty.

language intended to persuade or impress.

Though high-sounding, much political rhetoric is vague and empty.

extremely demanding; violently harsh; highly disciplined.

Military training is rigorous both physically and mentally.

healthy, strong, and full of energy; able to withstand hardship.

My grandfather remained robust into old age despite medical issues.

related to basic principles; elementary; of primitive simplicity.

As a novice, he had only a rudimentary grasp of carpentry skills.

to feel regret, remorse, or repentance over.

He rued the mistake that cost him his job.

having no pity; merciless, cruel.

The ruthless conqueror showed no mercy to those defeated.

violating or misusing what is regarded as sacred.

The artwork was considered sacrilegious for its irreverent depiction of religious figures.

having keen discernment and good judgment; perceptive.

My sagacious grandmother gave insightful advice on life.

authoritative permission or approval; officially authorized.

The government put sanctions on trade with certain nations.

harsh or ironic language intended to mock or convey contempt.

Her sarcasm made it clear she disagreed with the plan.

scornfully mocking or cynical; contemptuously bitter.

He made a sardonic remark that hurt more than amused me.

to satisfy fully.

The lavish buffet left us satiated, unable to take another bite.

to completely fill the gaps or pores of; thoroughly soak.

The sponge was saturated with water after being immersed so long.

barely sufficient; meager; lacking in quantity.

I arrived with scant minutes to catch my departing train.

severely critical; harshly condemnatory.

Her scathing review showed no mercy, tearing apart the flawed novel.

one who questions facts or suspended judgment; doubter.

I remained skeptical of his claims until I verified them myself.

defamation; false statements harming a reputation.

She sued over the slanderous accusations against her good character.

marked by serious thoughtfulness; solemnly thoughtful.

She maintained a sober attitude despite the celebratory mood.

causing one to become serious or thoughtful; solemnizing.

The statistics were sobering, making us reflect on what matters most.

to try to obtain by entreaty, earnest or respectful request.

He solicited donations from the wealthy philanthropist.

alone or remote from others; secluded; reclusive.

The solitary old hermit lived alone in the woods by choice.

gloomy; depressing.

The somber rainy day matched her melancholy mood.

to calm or comfort.

Her voice soothed the crying baby.

refined; complex; having acquired worldly knowledge or refinement.

She acted sophisticated in her designer clothes and pearls.

vile, base; marked by immorality and squalor.

He described sordid details from a childhood spent neglected and deprived.

occurring in brief, irregular, convulsive bursts.

My spasmodic hiccups made it hard to speak smoothly.

deceptively plausible or attractive but actually wrong.

He argued that the specious reasoning sounded good but lacked substance.

to eject or discharge in a gushing stream.

The volcano spewed hot lava down its slopes.

occurring at irregular intervals; not constant; only occasional.

Power outages were sporadic, but we never knew when to expect one.

sedate, sober, characterized by dignity and propriety.

The staid professor conducted class with utmost seriousness.

steadfast, loyal, unwavering.

The stalwart fans supported their team through years of defeat.

mark of disgrace or infamy; a stain on one's reputation.

Unfair stigma still surrounds certain conditions that need better awareness.

to restrict.

The miserly man stinted himself of even basic comforts.

unaffected by passion or feeling.

He faced tragedy with stoic acceptance and grace.

expressing little or no sensibility; impassive.

She remained stolid and composed even under immense pressure.

requiring tremendous energy or stamina; difficult; arduous.

Marathon training is strenuous work.

bitter conflict or rivalry.

They sought to settle their strife peacefully before it escalated further.

imposed strictly; harsh; having a precise standard.

Stringent security made entering difficult.

suffering arrested development; hampered growth.

The sapling's stunted growth made it spindly and weak.

to block, thwart.

Confusion will stymie their efforts to move forward on the project.

smoothly and effortlessly polished; charmingly tactful.

He had a suave manner that put everyone at ease in conversation.

based on personal impressions or feelings.

The review offered only subjective criticism rather than objective analysis.

awe-inspiring; exalted; supremely excellent.

The sublime sunset over the Grand Canyon left us breathless.

writ commanding a person to appear in court under penalty for failure.

She was subpoenaed to testify at the criminal trial.

to decrease in amount or intensity.

The fever subsided after a few days.

to provide evidence or proof in support of a claim.

Can you substantiate your alibi that you were elsewhere that night?

delicate, elusive, or quiet.

I couldn't quite grasp the subtle distinction he was making.

brief and to the point; concise.

Please give a succinct summary of the key events.

gloomily silent or withdrawn.

She grew sullen and uncommunicative as the night wore on.

richly splendid or magnificent; luxurious.

We dined on a sumptuous feast of lobster and chocolate cake.

concerning only the obvious or apparent qualities, not the true or inner nature.

His analysis was superficial, not considering deeper causes.

an uncertain belief; something theoretically assumed to be true.

I made the supposition he would arrive on time, but I was wrong.

rudely unfriendly or impatient.

The surly cashier was clearly in a bad mood.

capable of being influenced or affected.

Everyone is susceptible to catching the flu virus.

to supply necessities or nourishment; to experience or suffer.

Sustained by faith, she sustained the loss of her home.

intensely hot, stifling.

We sweltered in the sweltering heat without air conditioning.

one who flatters for self-gain; one who seeks favor through flattery.

The celebrity was surrounded by sycophants hoping to ride her coattails.

combining parts to form a whole; the end result of assembling elements.

The class presentation was a synthesis of research from various sources.

implied or indicated but not directly expressed.

Her tacit disapproval was obvious though she didn't criticize out loud.

perceptible by touch; relating to the sense of touch.

The tactile exhibit let blind visitors feel the sculptures.

to contaminate, corrupt, or infect with evil or undesirable elements.

The scandal tainted his reputation, ending his career.

only superficially related to the matter at hand; digressing.

His tangential anecdotes distracted from the core topic.

having little substance or strength; flimsy; weak.

His tenuous link between the suspects was not convincing evidence.

only moderately warm; lacking in enthusiasm or conviction.

brief, concise, pithily expressive.

His terse reply made me wonder if I had offended him.

a solemn statement of truth or fact.

I was asked to provide testimony describing the night's events.

careful and prudent in use of resources; economical; wise in savings and spendings.

She led a thrifty lifestyle that allowed an early retirement.

showing a lack of courage or confidence; shy.

She was too timid to try out for the talent show despite her beautiful voice.

extended angry speech.

The customer launched into a lengthy tirade over the poor service.

mentally or physically inert; apathetic; lethargic.

The torpid man just sat staring into space all afternoon.

extremely twisted or winding; Excessively lengthy and complex.

We drove down a tortuous mountain road hemmed by steep ravines.

poisonous; causing serious harm or death.

The toxic chemicals contaminated the town's water supply.

free from commotion or tumult; calm; peaceful.

The tranquil lagoon reflected the serene sky.

fleeting, passing quickly; impermanent.

Transient shelter offered just temporary refuge, not a permanent home.

to violate a law, command, or moral code; go beyond proper bounds.

He transgressed societal norms with his inappropriate behavior.

a gross distortion or misrepresentation; a mockery or parody.

The unfair trial was a travesty rather than true justice.

timid or fearful; marked by trembling or quivering.

She spoke in a tremulous voice, anxious addressing the large crowd.

forceful, effective, sharply perceptive; incisive.

His trenchant critique exposed the film's failings.

great suffering or distress; a cause of suffering or trouble.

Losing her home was a tribulation she wasn't sure she could endure.

not new or original; overused and clichéd.

The trite phrases sounded meaningless to the reader.

of negligible importance or value; insignificant.

Don't trivialize her feelings by dismissing her concerns as silly.

characterized by unrest, disorder, or tumult; rough, agitated.

Turbulent winds shook the trees and scattered debris down the streets.

a state of extreme confusion, agitation, or commotion.

Inner turmoil left her uncertain which path to take.

to weaken or subvert by stealth or deceit; undercut.

The spies undermined the government by spreading false propaganda.

restrained, subtle, not obvious or bold; preferring simplicity.

She has an understated beauty that is elegant and refined.

to move in waves or with a smooth wavelike motion.

The flag undulated in the gentle breeze.

to bring to light; uncover through searching.

The archeologists unearthed ancient pottery and tools at the site.

genuine, not false or hypocritical; sincere.

My unfeigned sympathy goes out to you during this difficult time.

working together in coordinated harmony.

The crew presented a unified front despite internal disputes.

disheveled; uncared for in appearance; messy.

His unkempt hair and rumpled clothes gave a sloppy impression.

to make nervous or anxious; shake courage.

The ominous sounds in the house unnerved me.

without previous instance; unparalleled.

Unprecedented success with her first album.

resistant to control or discipline; uncontrollable.

The unruly crowd grew rowdy after hours of waiting in line.

difficult to carry or manage because of size or shape.

The antique armoire was so unwieldy they couldn't fit it through the door.

to criticize or scold severely.

He upbraided me for being thoughtless and lazy.

sophisticated; refined; elegant.

The urbane socialite knew how to navigate high society gatherings.

to seize power or take control without right.

The general usurped authority in a military coup.

designed to be useful and practical rather than attractive.

The utilitarian water bottle was dented but still worked fine.

complete or absolute.

We were left in utter darkness when the power went out.

to waver between different courses of action; fluctuate.

I vacillated about which college to attend right up until the deadline.

not clearly defined; lacking preciseness.

Her description of the suspect was too vague to help identify him.

excessively proud of oneself; conceited.

She is vain about her appearance and constantly looks in the mirror.

possessing or acting with bravery or boldness.

He made a valiant effort to finish despite injury.

boldness or bravery in the face of danger.

The medal honored the pilot's valor in battle.

to conquer, defeat, or subdue an enemy or opposition force.

The champion vanquished all challengers to retain his title.

offering nothing stimulating or challenging; dull.

His vapid lecture put me right to sleep.

to regard with reverential respect or admiration.

Many venerate the saint for his good works helping the poor.

using more words than necessary; wordy.

The professor's verbose lectures were packed with tangents and repetitiveness.

annoyance or irritation; a cause of irritation.

Getting stuck in traffic is a daily vexation of my commute.

capable of working or being successfully implemented.

A viable plan with a high chance of succeeding.

deliberately cruel or violent.

The vicious criminal showed no remorse.

alertly watchful; carefully observant.

Vigilant against threats to their security.

robust, full of healthy energy; forceful, intense.

She maintained a vigorous workout routine into old age.

loathsome; highly offensive or disgusting.

They faced vile slurs from the unruly crowd.

morally excellent; righteous.

She is a virtuous person, always trying to do good.

thick or sticky, having high resistance to flow.

Molasses has a viscous texture.

absolutely essential; critically important.

Funding for the project is vital to move forward.

producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images in the mind.

She gave a vivid depiction of life growing up poor.

readily changing to a vapor; changeable, unstable; fickle.

Gasoline is a volatile, flammable liquid.

to shift back and forth between opinions; equivocate.

She kept waffling on where to eat, unable to make a choice.

pale, sickly, weak; lacking color or vitality.

After weeks in bed sick, she was wan and drawn.

cautiously watchful; prudent.

Wary of strangers and slow to trust.

quirkily playful; fanciful.

Whimsical art full of strange creatures and imaginary worlds.

to shrivel or decay; plants withering without water.

My enthusiasm withered under his hostile criticism.

using clever, sly, understated humor.

She made wry jokes that hinted at her true feelings.

eager enthusiasm; fervor.

She attacked the project with zeal despite obstacles.

passionately devoted; fervent.

peak; highest point; climax.

He reached the zenith of his acting career after the Oscar win.

gentle, mild breeze.

The light zephyr barely rustled the leaves.