unnerve - ANSWER verb: to make nervous or upset
Synonyms : enervate , faze , unsettle
At one time unnerved by math problems, she began avidly "Magoosh-ing", and soon
became adept at even combinations and permutations questions.
candid - ANSWER adjective: a straightforward and honest look at something
Synonyms : blunt , forthright , frank , free-spoken , outspoken , plainspoken , point-blank ,
straight-from-the-shoulder
Even with a perfect stranger, Charles was always candid and would rarely hold anything
back.
slapdash - ANSWER adjective: carelessly and hastily put together
Synonyms : haphazard , slipshod , sloppy
The office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner, so it did not surprise officials
when, during a small earthquake, a large crack emerged on the façade of the building.
telltale - ANSWER adjective: revealing
1
,The many telltale signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth, and a persistent, hacking
cough.
insolvent - ANSWER adjective: unable to pay one's bills; bankrupt
With credit card bills skyrocketing, a shockingly large number of Americans are truly
insolvent.
affluent - ANSWER adjective: wealthy
The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury, while, only five miles away, multi-
million dollar homes spoke of affluence.
indignant - ANSWER adjective: feeling anger over a perceived injustice
Synonyms : incensed , outraged , umbrageous
When the cyclist swerved into traffic, it forced the driver to brake and elicited an indignant
shout of "Hey, punk, watch where you're going!"
tirade - ANSWER noun: an angry speech
Synonyms : broadside , philippic
In terms of political change, a tirade oftentimes does little more than make the person
speaking red in the face.
thrifty - ANSWER adjective: spending money wisely
2
,Synonyms : careful
He was economical, spending his money thriftily and on items considered essential.
summit - ANSWER noun: the peak or highest point
Synonyms : acme , elevation , height , meridian , peak , pinnacle , superlative , tiptop , top,
crest , crown
After hiking for two days, the climbers finally reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
noun: a meeting of high-level leaders
Since climate change policy has been mired in congressional fighting, this summit should
help set the goals for president's next term.
spendthrift - ANSWER noun: one who spends money extravagantly
Synonyms : scattergood , spend-all , spender
Taking weekly trips to Vegas, Megan was a spendthrift whose excesses eventually caught up
to her.
screed - ANSWER noun: an abusive rant (often tedious)
Joey had difficulty hanging out with his former best friend Perry, who, during his entire cup
of coffee, enumerated all of the government's deficiencies--only to break ranks and launch
into some screed against big business.
3
, remiss - ANSWER adjective: to be negligent in one's duty
Synonyms : delinquent , derelict , neglectful
Remiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently, the principal was relieved of his
position after only three months.
embroiled - ANSWER adjective: involved in argument or contention
Synonyms : entangled
These days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandal—a welcome
phenomenon for those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one
imbroglio, can sink their teeth into a fresh one.
pine - ANSWER verb: to yearn for
Synonyms : ache , languish , yearn , yen
Standing forlornly by the window, she pined for her lost love.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
demean - ANSWER verb: to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respect
Synonyms : degrade , disgrace , put down , take down
At first the soccer players bantered back and forth, but as soon as one of the players became
demeaning, calling the other's mother a water buffalo, the ref whipped out a red card.
4
Synonyms : enervate , faze , unsettle
At one time unnerved by math problems, she began avidly "Magoosh-ing", and soon
became adept at even combinations and permutations questions.
candid - ANSWER adjective: a straightforward and honest look at something
Synonyms : blunt , forthright , frank , free-spoken , outspoken , plainspoken , point-blank ,
straight-from-the-shoulder
Even with a perfect stranger, Charles was always candid and would rarely hold anything
back.
slapdash - ANSWER adjective: carelessly and hastily put together
Synonyms : haphazard , slipshod , sloppy
The office building had been constructed in a slapdash manner, so it did not surprise officials
when, during a small earthquake, a large crack emerged on the façade of the building.
telltale - ANSWER adjective: revealing
1
,The many telltale signs of chronic smoking include yellow teeth, and a persistent, hacking
cough.
insolvent - ANSWER adjective: unable to pay one's bills; bankrupt
With credit card bills skyrocketing, a shockingly large number of Americans are truly
insolvent.
affluent - ANSWER adjective: wealthy
The center of the city had sadly become a pit of penury, while, only five miles away, multi-
million dollar homes spoke of affluence.
indignant - ANSWER adjective: feeling anger over a perceived injustice
Synonyms : incensed , outraged , umbrageous
When the cyclist swerved into traffic, it forced the driver to brake and elicited an indignant
shout of "Hey, punk, watch where you're going!"
tirade - ANSWER noun: an angry speech
Synonyms : broadside , philippic
In terms of political change, a tirade oftentimes does little more than make the person
speaking red in the face.
thrifty - ANSWER adjective: spending money wisely
2
,Synonyms : careful
He was economical, spending his money thriftily and on items considered essential.
summit - ANSWER noun: the peak or highest point
Synonyms : acme , elevation , height , meridian , peak , pinnacle , superlative , tiptop , top,
crest , crown
After hiking for two days, the climbers finally reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro.
noun: a meeting of high-level leaders
Since climate change policy has been mired in congressional fighting, this summit should
help set the goals for president's next term.
spendthrift - ANSWER noun: one who spends money extravagantly
Synonyms : scattergood , spend-all , spender
Taking weekly trips to Vegas, Megan was a spendthrift whose excesses eventually caught up
to her.
screed - ANSWER noun: an abusive rant (often tedious)
Joey had difficulty hanging out with his former best friend Perry, who, during his entire cup
of coffee, enumerated all of the government's deficiencies--only to break ranks and launch
into some screed against big business.
3
, remiss - ANSWER adjective: to be negligent in one's duty
Synonyms : delinquent , derelict , neglectful
Remiss in his duty to keep the school functioning efficiently, the principal was relieved of his
position after only three months.
embroiled - ANSWER adjective: involved in argument or contention
Synonyms : entangled
These days we are never short of a D.C. politician embroiled in scandal—a welcome
phenomenon for those who, having barely finished feasting on the sordid details of one
imbroglio, can sink their teeth into a fresh one.
pine - ANSWER verb: to yearn for
Synonyms : ache , languish , yearn , yen
Standing forlornly by the window, she pined for her lost love.
This word has other definitions but this is the most important one to study
demean - ANSWER verb: to insult; to cause someone to lose dignity or respect
Synonyms : degrade , disgrace , put down , take down
At first the soccer players bantered back and forth, but as soon as one of the players became
demeaning, calling the other's mother a water buffalo, the ref whipped out a red card.
4
