abstain (verb.)	to choose not to do something, especially not to vote or not to have something you want · Synonyms: refrain, hold back · e.g. Three council members abstained from the vote because they had helped write the proposal.
acute (adj.)	(1) sharp, severe, or sudden; (2) very keen or sensitive, as in hearing or sight · Synonyms: keen, severe · e.g. The doctor said Lena's acute pain meant her appendix needed to come out that night.
adept (adj.)	very skilled at something · Synonyms: skilled, expert · e.g. Jaylen is adept at fixing old radios, even ones without instruction manuals.
adverse (adj.)	harmful or unfavorable; working against you · Synonyms: unfavorable, harmful · e.g. The hikers turned back because of adverse weather on the ridge.
aesthetic (adj.)	having to do with beauty or with how something looks · Synonyms: artistic, visual · e.g. The architect made the bridge's railings curve for aesthetic reasons, not structural ones.
affirm (verb.)	to state firmly and publicly that something is true, or to show support for it · Synonyms: declare, confirm · e.g. The principal affirmed that the field trip would go ahead despite the rain.
alienate (verb.)	to make someone feel unwelcome or turn away from you · Synonyms: estrange, drive away · e.g. Constant bragging can alienate even your closest friends.
allocate (verb.)	to set aside or hand out something (money, time, space) for a particular purpose · Synonyms: assign, distribute · e.g. The school allocated two classrooms for the new robotics program.
aloof (adj.)	cool and distant; not friendly or involved · Synonyms: distant, standoffish · e.g. The new neighbor seemed aloof, but she was actually just shy.
ambiguous (adj.)	able to be understood in more than one way; unclear · Synonyms: unclear, vague · e.g. The ambiguous sign "No Parking Fines" confused every driver on the street.
ambivalent (adj.)	having mixed or conflicting feelings about something · Synonyms: torn, uncertain · e.g. I'm ambivalent about the trip: I love the beach but hate long car rides.
amend (verb.)	to change something, such as a law or document, in order to correct or improve it · Synonyms: revise, modify · e.g. The club voted to amend its rules so that members could join online.
analogy (noun.)	a comparison between two things that shows how they are alike, often used to explain something · Synonyms: comparison, parallel · e.g. The teacher used an analogy to a factory to explain how a cell works.
apathy (noun.)	a lack of interest, concern, or feeling · Synonyms: indifference, unconcern · e.g. Student apathy toward the old newspaper led to its replacement with a podcast.
appease (verb.)	to calm someone down or satisfy them, often by giving them what they want · Synonyms: pacify, soothe · e.g. The airline appeased angry passengers with free meal vouchers.
appropriate (verb.)	(verb) to take something for your own use, usually without permission · Synonyms: seize, take over · e.g. The neighbors appropriated the empty lot and turned it into a garden.
arduous (adj.)	very difficult and tiring; requiring great effort · Synonyms: grueling, strenuous · e.g. The arduous climb took the team three days.
arresting (adj.)	(adj) so striking that it grabs your attention · Synonyms: striking, eye-catching · e.g. The poster's arresting image made everyone stop in the hallway.
assimilate (verb.)	(1) to become part of a new group or culture; (2) to take in and fully understand information · Synonyms: integrate, absorb · e.g. It took a few months for the exchange student to assimilate into her new school.
attribute (verb.)	(verb) to say that something was caused by or belongs to someone or something · Synonyms: credit, ascribe · e.g. She attributed her success to her coach's patience.
audacious (adj.)	extremely bold and daring, sometimes recklessly so · Synonyms: daring, bold · e.g. The rookie made an audacious move, trying a half-court shot with the game on the line.
augment (verb.)	to make something greater by adding to it · Synonyms: increase, supplement · e.g. He augmented his allowance by walking neighbors' dogs.
authoritative (adj.)	(1) reliable because it comes from an expert source; (2) commanding and confident · Synonyms: reliable, commanding · e.g. The encyclopedia is considered the most authoritative source on the subject.
autonomy (noun.)	the freedom to govern or control yourself; independence · Synonyms: independence, self-rule · e.g. The new policy gives teachers more autonomy over their lesson plans.
benign (adj.)	(1) harmless, not dangerous (often of a medical condition); (2) gentle and kind · Synonyms: harmless, mild · e.g. The vet said the bump on the dog's leg was benign.
bent (noun.)	(noun) a natural talent or tendency · Synonyms: inclination, aptitude · e.g. With her artistic bent, she was the obvious choice to design the yearbook cover.
bolster (verb.)	to support or strengthen something · Synonyms: reinforce, boost · e.g. The new evidence bolstered her argument.
brevity (noun.)	shortness, especially in speech or writing · Synonyms: shortness, conciseness · e.g. The brevity of her text message made her parents worry.
burgeon (verb.)	to grow or expand quickly · Synonyms: flourish, boom · e.g. After the rain, wildflowers burgeoned across the desert.
catalyst (noun.)	(1) in chemistry, a substance that speeds up a reaction without being used up; (2) a person or event that causes change · Synonyms: spark, trigger · e.g. The new coach was a catalyst for the team's turnaround.
censure (verb.)	(verb) to criticize someone strongly and officially · Synonyms: reprimand, condemn · e.g. The board censured the member for sharing private documents.
charge (noun.)	(noun) (1) a person or thing someone is responsible for; (2) a price or fee; (3) a formal accusation · Synonyms: ward, responsibility · e.g. The babysitter took her young charges to the park.
chronicle (verb.)	(verb) to record events in the order they happened · Synonyms: record, document · e.g. Her blog chronicles her year teaching in Japan.
circumvent (verb.)	to find a way around a rule, obstacle, or problem · Synonyms: bypass, evade · e.g. The students circumvented the website block by using a different browser.
coerce (verb.)	to force someone to do something by using threats or pressure · Synonyms: compel, pressure · e.g. The villain tried to coerce the shopkeeper into handing over the map.
cognitive (adj.)	having to do with thinking, learning, and remembering · Synonyms: mental, intellectual · e.g. Puzzles can help keep cognitive skills sharp as people age.
cohesive (adj.)	united and working well together as a whole · Synonyms: unified, connected · e.g. The essay was cohesive because each paragraph built on the last.
commend (verb.)	to praise someone, often formally or publicly · Synonyms: praise, applaud · e.g. The judge commended the jurors for their careful work.
compelling (adj.)	(1) very convincing or persuasive; (2) so interesting it holds your attention · Synonyms: convincing, gripping · e.g. The lawyer made a compelling case for her client.
concede (verb.)	(1) to admit, often unwillingly, that something is true; (2) to give up or surrender · Synonyms: admit, yield · e.g. She conceded that her brother's idea was better.
concise (adj.)	brief but complete; saying a lot in few words · Synonyms: brief, succinct · e.g. His concise answer covered everything in one sentence.
condone (verb.)	to accept or allow behavior that is wrong · Synonyms: excuse, tolerate · e.g. The coach will not condone poor sportsmanship.
connotation (noun.)	the feeling or idea a word suggests beyond its basic meaning · Synonyms: implication, association · e.g. "Home" has a warmer connotation than "house."
conspicuous (adj.)	easy to notice; standing out · Synonyms: noticeable, obvious · e.g. The bright red car was conspicuous in the parking lot.
constrain (verb.)	to limit or restrict · Synonyms: restrict, hold back · e.g. A small budget constrained the film's special effects.
contemporary (adj.)	(1) belonging to the same period of time; (2) modern, of the present day · Synonyms: modern, of the same era · e.g. The museum's contemporary wing shows art made in the last twenty years.
contrived (adj.)	obviously planned or artificial; not natural · Synonyms: forced, artificial · e.g. The movie's happy ending felt contrived.
corroborate (verb.)	to support or confirm with evidence · Synonyms: confirm, verify · e.g. Two witnesses corroborated his story.
culminate (verb.)	to reach the highest point or final climax · Synonyms: climax, conclude · e.g. The season culminated in a championship victory.
curtail (verb.)	to cut short or reduce · Synonyms: reduce, cut back · e.g. The storm curtailed our vacation by two days.
daunting (adj.)	so difficult or large that it makes you feel nervous or discouraged · Synonyms: intimidating, overwhelming · e.g. Writing a fifty-page research paper seemed daunting until she broke it into small steps.
dearth (noun.)	a shortage or lack of something · Synonyms: scarcity, lack · e.g. A dearth of snow forced the ski resort to close early.
debilitate (verb.)	to make someone or something very weak · Synonyms: weaken, cripple · e.g. The long illness debilitated him for months.
deem (verb.)	to judge or consider something in a particular way · Synonyms: judge, consider · e.g. The principal deemed the field too muddy for the game.
deference (noun.)	respect shown by giving way to someone's wishes, opinions, or position · Synonyms: respect, regard · e.g. In deference to the sleeping baby, everyone whispered.
deficit (noun.)	(1) an amount by which something falls short, such as money; (2) the amount by which a team is behind · Synonyms: shortfall, gap · e.g. The city faces a budget deficit of two million dollars.
delineate (verb.)	(1) to describe or explain something precisely; (2) to mark or draw the outline of something · Synonyms: outline, define · e.g. The contract delineates exactly what each partner must do.
deplore (verb.)	to strongly disapprove of or condemn something · Synonyms: condemn, denounce · e.g. Many fans deplored the decision to tear down the old ballpark.
detrimental (adj.)	causing harm or damage · Synonyms: harmful, damaging · e.g. Skipping breakfast can be detrimental to your concentration.
didactic (adj.)	meant to teach a lesson, especially a moral one, sometimes in a preachy way · Synonyms: instructive, preachy · e.g. The cartoon was so didactic that it felt like a lecture.
diffident (adj.)	shy and lacking self-confidence · Synonyms: timid, unassertive · e.g. The diffident new student rarely spoke in class.
digress (verb.)	to wander away from the main topic when speaking or writing · Synonyms: stray, ramble · e.g. The speaker digressed so often that we forgot her main point.
disdain (noun.)	(noun) a feeling that someone or something is beneath your respect · Synonyms: scorn, contempt · e.g. She looked at the cheap souvenir with disdain.
disparage (verb.)	to speak about someone or something as if it has little value · Synonyms: belittle, criticize · e.g. He disparaged his sister's art project, which hurt her feelings.
disparity (noun.)	a large difference, often an unfair one · Synonyms: gap, inequality · e.g. There is a big disparity between the two teams' budgets.
disseminate (verb.)	to spread information or ideas widely · Synonyms: spread, circulate · e.g. The health department disseminated flyers about the vaccine.
dogmatic (adj.)	insisting that your beliefs are right and refusing to consider other views · Synonyms: rigid, opinionated · e.g. The dogmatic coach refused to try any new plays.
eclectic (adj.)	made up of many different styles, sources, or types · Synonyms: varied, diverse · e.g. Her eclectic taste in music ranges from opera to hip-hop.
efficacy (noun.)	the ability to produce the intended result; effectiveness · Synonyms: effectiveness, power · e.g. Scientists tested the efficacy of the new fertilizer.
elicit (verb.)	to draw out a response, reaction, or information · Synonyms: evoke, draw out · e.g. The teacher's joke elicited groans from the class.
embody (verb.)	to be a clear example or expression of an idea or quality · Synonyms: represent, personify · e.g. The old firehouse embodies the town's spirit of service.
empirical (adj.)	based on observation, measurement, or experiment rather than theory alone · Synonyms: observed, experimental · e.g. Her conclusion was based on empirical data from the field.
emulate (verb.)	to copy someone you admire, trying to equal or surpass them · Synonyms: imitate, mirror · e.g. Young players often emulate their favorite athletes.
endorse (verb.)	(1) to publicly support or approve; (2) to sign the back of a check · Synonyms: support, back · e.g. The teachers' union endorsed the plan for longer recess.
entertain (verb.)	(1) to amuse; (2) to be willing to consider an idea; (3) to host guests · Synonyms: consider, amuse · e.g. The family entertained guests every Sunday.
ephemeral (adj.)	lasting a very short time · Synonyms: fleeting, short-lived · e.g. The beauty of the cherry blossoms is ephemeral.
equitable (adj.)	fair and just to everyone involved · Synonyms: fair, impartial · e.g. The teacher found an equitable way to split the class into teams.
eradicate (verb.)	to destroy or remove something completely · Synonyms: eliminate, wipe out · e.g. The city hopes to eradicate litter from the park.
erroneous (adj.)	wrong or mistaken · Synonyms: incorrect, false · e.g. The newspaper printed an erroneous date for the concert.
esoteric (adj.)	understood by or meant for only a small group with special knowledge · Synonyms: obscure, specialized · e.g. The professor's esoteric jokes went over most students' heads.
exacerbate (verb.)	to make a problem or bad situation worse · Synonyms: worsen, aggravate · e.g. Yelling only exacerbated the argument.
exacting (adj.)	(adj) demanding great care, effort, and precision · Synonyms: demanding, meticulous · e.g. The exacting teacher returned essays with a single comma out of place.
exemplify (verb.)	to be a typical or excellent example of something · Synonyms: illustrate, represent · e.g. Her volunteer work exemplifies kindness.
expedient (adj.)	(adj) convenient and quick, though not always fair or right · Synonyms: convenient, practical · e.g. It was expedient to take a shortcut, even though it meant skipping a step.
explicit (adj.)	stated clearly and directly, leaving no doubt · Synonyms: clear, direct · e.g. The directions were explicit: no phones during the exam.
extraneous (adj.)	not relevant or not needed · Synonyms: irrelevant, unnecessary · e.g. Cut the extraneous details from your essay.
facet (noun.)	(1) one side or part of something, an aspect; (2) one of the flat cut surfaces of a gem · Synonyms: aspect, side · e.g. Every facet of the plan was discussed at the meeting.
fallacy (noun.)	a mistaken belief, or an error in reasoning · Synonyms: misconception, error · e.g. It is a fallacy that lightning never strikes the same place twice.
flag (verb.)	(verb) (1) to mark something for attention; (2) to become tired or weaker · Synonyms: weaken, mark · e.g. The teacher flagged three errors in my essay.
frivolous (adj.)	silly and not serious; lacking any real purpose or value · Synonyms: trivial, silly · e.g. The judge dismissed the frivolous complaint.
galvanize (verb.)	(1) to shock or excite someone into taking action; (2) to coat metal with zinc to prevent rust · Synonyms: spur, rouse · e.g. The speech galvanized the students to start a recycling club.
gregarious (adj.)	very sociable; enjoying the company of others · Synonyms: sociable, outgoing · e.g. Gregarious by nature, he made friends at every new school.
hamper (verb.)	(verb) to slow down or get in the way of progress · Synonyms: hinder, obstruct · e.g. Missing equipment hampered the team's practice.
heed (verb.)	(verb) to pay careful attention to advice or a warning · Synonyms: obey, mind · e.g. Heed your doctor's advice and get some rest.
hierarchy (noun.)	a system in which people or things are ranked one above another · Synonyms: ranking, chain of command · e.g. The army has a strict hierarchy of officers.
hollow (adj.)	(adj) (1) empty inside; (2) without real meaning or sincerity · Synonyms: empty, insincere · e.g. After the team lost again, the coach's promise of a winning season sounded hollow.
hypocrisy (noun.)	claiming to have beliefs or standards that you do not actually follow · Synonyms: insincerity, double standard · e.g. It was hypocrisy for him to complain about litter while dropping his own wrapper.
ideology (noun.)	a set of beliefs or ideas that guides a group or movement · Synonyms: belief system, philosophy · e.g. The club's ideology was based on sharing and cooperation.
immutable (adj.)	unable to be changed · Synonyms: unchangeable, fixed · e.g. Some traditions seem immutable, but they change over time.
impassive (adj.)	showing no emotion · Synonyms: expressionless, unmoved · e.g. The guard stood impassive as tourists tried to make him laugh.
imperative (adj.)	absolutely necessary; extremely important and urgent · Synonyms: essential, crucial · e.g. With the storm moving fast, it was imperative that the hikers get off the ridge before noon.
impetus (noun.)	a force or event that pushes something to happen or move forward · Synonyms: motivation, driving force · e.g. Her grandmother's stories were the impetus for Leah's history project.
implicit (adj.)	suggested without being said directly; also, complete and unquestioning (as in "implicit trust") · Synonyms: implied, unspoken · e.g. Her raised eyebrow carried an implicit warning: don't touch the cake.
inadvertent (adj.)	not done on purpose; accidental · Synonyms: unintentional, accidental · e.g. Leaving my phone in the freezer was an inadvertent mistake, not a science experiment.
incongruous (adj.)	strange because it does not fit with its surroundings; out of place · Synonyms: out of place, mismatched · e.g. A snowman on a sunny beach would look incongruous.
inconsequential (adj.)	not important; too small to matter · Synonyms: unimportant, trivial · e.g. Whether the poster is blue or green is inconsequential; what matters is the message.
indispensable (adj.)	absolutely necessary; impossible to do without · Synonyms: essential, vital · e.g. A good pair of boots is indispensable on a winter hike.
inert (adj.)	not moving or acting; in chemistry, not reacting with other substances · Synonyms: motionless, inactive · e.g. The lizard lay inert on the warm rock until a fly buzzed past.
ingenious (adj.)	very clever and inventive · Synonyms: inventive, resourceful · e.g. Mia found an ingenious way to keep her dog out of the trash: a lid that locks when stepped on.
inherent (adj.)	existing as a natural, permanent part of something; built in · Synonyms: intrinsic, built-in · e.g. There is an inherent risk in riding a bike in traffic.
insinuate (verb.)	to hint at something unpleasant indirectly; also, to work oneself gradually into a position · Synonyms: imply, worm one's way in · e.g. Without saying it outright, Kai insinuated that I had cheated at the board game.
insular (adj.)	narrow-minded and cut off from outside ideas; also, relating to an island · Synonyms: narrow-minded, isolated · e.g. The small club grew insular, ignoring anyone who wasn't already a member.
integral (adj.)	necessary to make something whole or complete · Synonyms: essential, fundamental · e.g. Practice is an integral part of learning an instrument.
intrepid (adj.)	fearless and adventurous · Synonyms: fearless, daring · e.g. The intrepid explorer crossed the frozen lake on foot.
inundate (verb.)	to flood; to overwhelm with a huge amount of something · Synonyms: overwhelm, swamp · e.g. After the concert was announced, the box office was inundated with calls.
invoke (verb.)	to call on or cite something, such as a rule or authority, for support · Synonyms: cite, appeal to · e.g. To win the argument, Ravi invoked the rule printed on the back of the game box.
irony (noun.)	a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens, often in a surprising or amusing way · Synonyms: contradiction, paradox · e.g. The irony was that the weather reporter got caught in the rain without an umbrella.
jargon (noun.)	special words used by a particular group or profession that are hard for others to understand · Synonyms: technical language, lingo · e.g. The doctor's jargon left the patient more confused than before.
judicious (adj.)	showing good judgment; wise and sensible · Synonyms: sensible, prudent · e.g. A judicious use of spices makes the soup tasty without overpowering it.
juxtapose (verb.)	to place two things side by side, especially to compare or contrast them · Synonyms: contrast, set side by side · e.g. The poster juxtaposes a tiny seed with a giant oak tree.
kindle (verb.)	to set on fire; to stir up a feeling or interest · Synonyms: ignite, spark · e.g. A great teacher can kindle a love of reading in a reluctant student.
latent (adj.)	present but hidden or not yet active · Synonyms: dormant, hidden · e.g. Her latent talent for drawing appeared when she finally took an art class.
lethargic (adj.)	sluggish and lacking energy · Synonyms: sluggish, listless · e.g. The heat made everyone lethargic by the afternoon.
lucid (adj.)	clear and easy to understand; also, able to think clearly · Synonyms: clear, coherent · e.g. Her lucid explanation made fractions finally make sense.
magnanimous (adj.)	generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful · Synonyms: generous, gracious · e.g. The magnanimous winner thanked her opponent for a great match.
malleable (adj.)	able to be bent or shaped easily; also, easily influenced · Synonyms: flexible, pliable · e.g. Warm clay is malleable, so you can mold it into any shape.
marginal (adj.)	small and not very important; also, written in the margin of a page · Synonyms: minor, slight · e.g. The new rule made only a marginal difference in the score.
measured (adj.)	careful, slow and controlled; not hasty or emotional · Synonyms: deliberate, restrained · e.g. Even when angry, she spoke in a measured voice.
meticulous (adj.)	showing extreme care about every small detail · Synonyms: thorough, painstaking · e.g. The meticulous baker weighed every gram of flour.
mitigate (verb.)	to make something less severe or harmful · Synonyms: lessen, ease · e.g. Wearing a helmet can mitigate the injuries from a bike fall.
negate (verb.)	to cancel out the effect of something; to make it useless · Synonyms: cancel out, nullify · e.g. Eating a giant dessert can negate the benefits of a salad.
nonchalant (adj.)	calm and relaxed, as if not worried at all · Synonyms: casual, unconcerned · e.g. He tried to act nonchalant, but his hands were shaking.
nuance (noun.)	a small, subtle difference in meaning, feeling or tone · Synonyms: subtlety, shade of meaning · e.g. The actor captured every nuance of the character's sadness.
obstinate (adj.)	stubbornly refusing to change one's mind or behavior · Synonyms: stubborn, unyielding · e.g. My obstinate little brother refused to wear a coat, even in the snow.
optimal (adj.)	best or most favorable · Synonyms: ideal, best · e.g. Early morning is the optimal time to see birds at the park.
orthodox (adj.)	following the usual, accepted way of doing things; traditional · Synonyms: conventional, traditional · e.g. Her orthodox approach to the problem worked, but it wasn't creative.
ostentatious (adj.)	showy in a way meant to impress others · Synonyms: showy, flashy · e.g. His ostentatious gold sneakers drew stares in the hallway.
paramount (adj.)	more important than anything else · Synonyms: supreme, foremost · e.g. For a lifeguard, the swimmers' safety is paramount.
partial (adj.)	not complete; also, favoring one side unfairly, or especially fond of something ("partial to") · Synonyms: incomplete, fond of · e.g. The clouds gave us only a partial view of the eclipse.
pedestrian (adj.)	ordinary and dull; also, relating to people who walk · Synonyms: dull, unoriginal · e.g. The pedestrian plot made the movie feel like a hundred others.
perceptive (adj.)	quick to notice and understand things · Synonyms: observant, insightful · e.g. A perceptive friend can tell when you're upset even if you smile.
perfunctory (adj.)	done quickly as a routine, without real care or interest · Synonyms: routine, halfhearted · e.g. She gave the dishes a perfunctory rinse and left them in the sink.
peripheral (adj.)	of minor importance; not central; also, at the outer edge · Synonyms: minor, secondary · e.g. Side vision is also called peripheral vision.
pervasive (adj.)	spreading widely through every part of something · Synonyms: widespread, all-pervading · e.g. A pervasive smell of popcorn filled the theater.
pivotal (adj.)	extremely important because other things depend on it · Synonyms: crucial, decisive · e.g. The pivotal moment of the game came in the last ten seconds.
pragmatic (adj.)	dealing with problems in a practical, realistic way · Synonyms: practical, realistic · e.g. Instead of hoping the leak would stop, Dad took a pragmatic approach and called a plumber.
precarious (adj.)	dangerously unstable or insecure · Synonyms: unstable, risky · e.g. The vase sat in a precarious spot on the edge of the shelf.
precedent (noun.)	an earlier event or decision used as an example or guide for later ones · Synonyms: example, model · e.g. The first student-run school newspaper set a precedent for others in the district.
preclude (verb.)	to make something impossible; to prevent · Synonyms: prevent, rule out · e.g. His busy schedule precluded him from joining the band.
predominant (adj.)	most common, strongest or most noticeable · Synonyms: dominant, prevailing · e.g. Blue is the predominant color in the ocean painting.
premise (noun.)	an idea or statement that an argument, story or plan is based on · Synonyms: assumption, basis · e.g. The movie's premise is that toys come alive when no one is watching.
prerogative (noun.)	a special right or privilege that belongs to a particular person or group · Synonyms: right, privilege · e.g. Choosing the music for the road trip is the driver's prerogative.
pressing (adj.)	urgent; needing attention right away · Synonyms: urgent, critical · e.g. Fixing the leaking roof was the family's most pressing problem.
pretext (noun.)	a false reason given to hide the real one · Synonyms: excuse, cover · e.g. He used a dentist appointment as a pretext to leave the meeting early.
prodigious (adj.)	remarkably great in size, amount or degree; amazing · Synonyms: enormous, extraordinary · e.g. The young chess player has a prodigious memory for openings.
proliferate (verb.)	to increase rapidly in number; to multiply · Synonyms: multiply, spread · e.g. Rumors proliferated after the principal's mysterious announcement.
prolific (adj.)	producing a great amount of work, fruit or offspring · Synonyms: productive, fertile · e.g. The prolific author published three books in one year.
propensity (noun.)	a natural tendency to behave in a certain way · Synonyms: tendency, inclination · e.g. My cat has a propensity for knocking pens off the desk.
provincial (adj.)	having narrow, limited views; also, relating to a province or the area outside a capital · Synonyms: narrow-minded, unsophisticated · e.g. His provincial attitude made him suspicious of any food he hadn't grown up eating.
provisional (adj.)	arranged for now but likely to change later; temporary · Synonyms: temporary, tentative · e.g. The coach posted a provisional roster before final tryouts.
qualify (verb.)	to meet the requirements for something; also, to limit or soften a statement · Synonyms: be eligible, limit · e.g. She qualified her praise by adding that the ending was weak.
quandary (noun.)	a situation where it is hard to decide what to do; a dilemma · Synonyms: dilemma, predicament · e.g. Lisa was in a quandary about which college offer to accept.
rationale (noun.)	the reasons or logic behind a decision or action · Synonyms: reasoning, justification · e.g. The teacher explained her rationale for the new seating chart.
reciprocate (verb.)	to give or do something in return for what someone has given or done · Synonyms: return, repay · e.g. When the neighbors brought us cookies, we reciprocated with a loaf of bread.
rectify (verb.)	to correct something that is wrong · Synonyms: correct, remedy · e.g. The store rectified the billing error and refunded my money.
redundant (adj.)	not needed because it repeats something; also, built as a backup in case something fails · Synonyms: unnecessary, repetitive · e.g. Saying "tiny little" is redundant.
reiterate (verb.)	to say something again, often for emphasis · Synonyms: repeat, restate · e.g. The coach reiterated the play so everyone would remember it.
relegate (verb.)	to move someone or something to a lower or less important place · Synonyms: demote, banish · e.g. The old couch was relegated to the basement.
render (verb.)	to cause to become; also, to give or provide; to depict in art · Synonyms: make, provide · e.g. The heavy rain rendered the field unplayable.
repercussion (noun.)	an effect or result of an action, especially an unwelcome one · Synonyms: consequence, aftereffect · e.g. Skipping practice had repercussions for the whole team.
repudiate (verb.)	to reject or refuse to accept; to deny · Synonyms: reject, disown · e.g. The scientist repudiated the rumor that her data was faked.
reservation (noun.)	a doubt or concern; also, an arrangement to save a seat, room or table · Synonyms: doubt, booking · e.g. We made a reservation at the restaurant for seven o'clock.
resignation (noun.)	quiet acceptance of something unpleasant that cannot be changed; also, the act of quitting a job · Synonyms: acceptance, surrender · e.g. With a sigh of resignation, he started the long walk home after missing the bus.
reticent (adj.)	unwilling to talk much or share one's thoughts and feelings · Synonyms: reserved, tight-lipped · e.g. The reticent student rarely raised her hand, but her essays were brilliant.
rhetoric (noun.)	language used to persuade, sometimes in a way that sounds impressive but lacks substance · Synonyms: persuasive speech, empty talk · e.g. The candidate's rhetoric stirred the crowd, but she offered few real plans.
sanction (verb.)	to officially approve or allow; also, to officially penalize · Synonyms: authorize, penalize · e.g. The league sanctioned the new rule allowing video replay.
scrutinize (verb.)	to examine very closely and carefully · Synonyms: examine, inspect · e.g. The editor scrutinized every sentence for errors.
sober (adj.)	serious and calm; also, plain and not bright (of colors) · Synonyms: serious, solemn · e.g. The team's mood was sober after the narrow loss.
solicit (verb.)	to ask for something, such as help, money or opinions · Synonyms: request, seek · e.g. The club solicited donations for its trip.
stoic (adj.)	enduring pain or trouble without complaining or showing feelings · Synonyms: uncomplaining, patient · e.g. The stoic hiker kept walking despite her blisters.
strident (adj.)	loud, harsh and unpleasant; also, forceful in a way that grates on people · Synonyms: harsh, shrill · e.g. The strident car alarm woke up the whole block.
subjective (adj.)	based on personal feelings or opinions rather than facts · Synonyms: personal, biased · e.g. Whether a song is good is subjective.
subordinate (adj.)	lower in rank or importance · Synonyms: secondary, lesser · e.g. In the army, a private is subordinate to a sergeant.
subsequent (adj.)	coming after something else in time or order · Synonyms: following, later · e.g. The first chapter was confusing, but subsequent chapters made sense.
tacit (adj.)	understood without being said · Synonyms: unspoken, implied · e.g. There was a tacit agreement that the oldest sibling got the front seat.
tangible (adj.)	able to be touched; also, clear and real enough to be measured · Synonyms: concrete, real · e.g. The trophy was a tangible reminder of the team's hard work.
telling (adj.)	revealing something important, often without meaning to · Synonyms: revealing, significant · e.g. Her telling silence answered the question better than words.
tenable (adj.)	able to be defended or held as reasonable · Synonyms: defensible, reasonable · e.g. Her argument was tenable because it was backed by evidence.
tenuous (adj.)	very weak or thin; easily broken · Synonyms: flimsy, shaky · e.g. Their friendship was tenuous after the argument.
trepidation (noun.)	a feeling of fear or nervousness about something that might happen · Synonyms: fear, apprehension · e.g. She opened her report card with trepidation.
trying (adj.)	hard to put up with; difficult and tiring · Synonyms: difficult, exhausting · e.g. Waiting for the test results was trying.
ubiquitous (adj.)	found everywhere · Synonyms: everywhere, omnipresent · e.g. Phones are ubiquitous in modern life.
undermine (verb.)	to weaken gradually, often in a hidden way; also, to wear away the base of something · Synonyms: weaken, erode · e.g. Constant interruptions undermined her confidence.
unprecedented (adj.)	never done or known before · Synonyms: unheard-of, unparalleled · e.g. The team's unprecedented win shocked everyone.
validate (verb.)	to confirm that something is true or correct; also, to recognize someone's feelings as reasonable · Synonyms: confirm, support · e.g. The second experiment validated the first one's results.
viable (adj.)	able to work or succeed; also, able to live and grow · Synonyms: workable, feasible · e.g. Biking to school is a viable option if it isn't raining.
vindicate (verb.)	to clear someone of blame or show that they were right · Synonyms: clear, justify · e.g. The video vindicated the referee's call.
volatile (adj.)	likely to change suddenly; also, evaporating quickly · Synonyms: unstable, unpredictable · e.g. The stock market was volatile all week.
wane (verb.)	to decrease gradually in size, strength or importance · Synonyms: decline, fade · e.g. Her interest in the show waned after the second season.
wanting (adj.)	lacking something needed; not good enough · Synonyms: lacking, inadequate · e.g. The plan was found wanting in detail.
