Definition: Accustomed or desensitized to something by prolonged exposure; hardened

Sample sentence: The soldier had become inured to the hardships of life on the battlefield.

Definition: Acting or done impulsively or rashly, without thought or consideration for the consequences; impulsive

Sample sentence: Her impetuous decision to quit her job without having another one lined up ultimately led to financial hardships.

Definition: Acting or done quickly and without thought or care; impulsive or rash

Sample sentence: His impetuous decision to quit his job without a backup plan left him scrambling to find work.

Definition: Active hostility or hatred; intense dislike or enmity; ill will or resentment

Sample sentence: Years of unresolved conflicts led to growing animosity between the two neighbors.

Definition: Amusement or joy, especially as expressed through laughter; merriment or gaiety

Sample sentence: The sound of mirth filled the room as guests enjoyed the entertainment and lively conversation.

Definition: An agent, event, or substance that causes or speeds up a reaction or change, often without being directly involved in or changed itself

Sample sentence: The election of the new president was the catalyst for the sweeping policy changes that followed.

Definition: An amount or quantity that is very small, insignificant, or meager; not worth considering

Sample sentence: The company offered a paltry sum in compensation for the major inconvenience caused to the customers.

Definition: An ardent supporter of a person, party, or cause; showing a strong bias or allegiance, often to the point of prejudice

Sample sentence: Partisan politics often hinder constructive dialogue and collaboration between opposing parties.

Definition: An aspect or feature of something, particularly a complex or multi-dimensional issue or situation

Sample sentence: The author explored various facets of human nature in her collection of short stories.

Definition: An authoritative command, order, or requirement; a clear directive or instruction given by a person or group in authority

Sample sentence: The president issued a mandate demanding stricter environmental regulations.

Definition: An authoritative prohibition or restriction, especially in religious contexts; to forbid or prohibit by an authoritative command

Sample sentence: The government issued an interdict banning the sale of ivory to protect endangered elephants.

Definition: An excessive or large amount; a surplus or overabundance

Sample sentence: The home cook found herself with a plethora of tomatoes after her garden produced a bumper crop.

Definition: An expert or authoritative commentator in a particular subject or field; a person who offers opinions, advice, or judgments publicly, especially in the media

Sample sentence: The political pundit made a bold prediction about the outcome of the election, which turned out to be accurate.

Definition: An expert or authority in a particular field, especially one who has a highly refined taste or appreciation in areas such as food, wine, or art

Sample sentence: As a connoisseur of fine wine, she was often called upon by her friends for recommendations and advice.

Definition: An expert, particularly in the arts, or someone with refined taste or discernment in a particular field

Sample sentence: The wine connoisseur was able to identify the subtle notes and flavors in each glass.

Definition: An opinion or belief that goes against established religious or moral doctrine; a belief that is regarded as erroneous or unpopular

Sample sentence: The church declared his unconventional teachings to be heresy and expelled him from their community.

Definition: An ungrateful person, someone who does not show appreciation or gratitude for favors or help received

Sample sentence: The volunteer was disappointed to find that the people she had helped seemed to be ingrates, never bothering to express their thanks.

Definition: Appearing attractive and impressive but without real value or substance; gaudy or superficial

Sample sentence: Her outrageously meretricious outfit drew everyone's attention, but it was clear that she was trying too hard.

Definition: Appearing or stated to be true, but not necessarily so; professed or supposed

Sample sentence: The ostensible purpose of her visit was to check on her sick friend, but she was really hoping to gather gossip.

Definition: Appropriate or relevant to the current situation or subject; fitting or opportune at a particular time or occasion

Sample sentence: She always seemed to have an apropos story or anecdote to share during conversations.

Definition: Arrogant, disdainful, or self-important behavior; an air of superiority or condescension

Sample sentence: The actress's haughtiness alienated her from her fans and fellow actors.

Definition: Arrogant, domineering, or overbearing in manner or attitude; expecting obedience without question

Sample sentence: The imperious manager often made unreasonable demands and showed little respect for his employees.

Definition: Arrogantly domineering or overbearing; assuming authority or power without justification; expecting unquestioning obedience

Sample sentence: The imperious manager often made unreasonable demands of her employees.

Definition: Attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive or sly

Sample sentence: With a furtive glance over his shoulder, he slipped the stolen item into his pocket.

Definition: Attempting to avoid notice or detection by secretive or sly behavior; stealthy or surreptitious

Sample sentence: She cast a furtive glance over her shoulder, making sure no one saw her enter the room.

Definition: Authorized, accepted, or recognized as conforming to established rules, standards, or principles; belonging to the canon or official body of literature, art, or music

Sample sentence: The author's works have become canonical in the field of modern literature, studied and revered by critics and scholars alike.

Definition: Awards, honors, or expressions of praise or approval given as a token of appreciation or respect

Sample sentence: The Olympic athlete received numerous accolades for her remarkable achievements in sports.

Definition: Aware or informed about a situation or particular set of facts; having knowledge or understanding of a subject

Sample sentence: The employees were cognizant of the company's financial troubles and worried about the future of their jobs.

Definition: Bad-tempered, gloomy, or sulky; showing ill humor or a reluctance to engage with others

Sample sentence: The child's sullen expression revealed his unhappiness with the decision to cancel the family vacation.

Definition: Based on a mistaken belief; erroneous or misleading

Sample sentence: His argument was full of fallacious reasoning, leading the audience to question his credibility.

Definition: Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or logic; capricious or unsupported

Sample sentence: The decision to choose one applicant over another seemed arbitrary and unfair.

Definition: Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic; derived from experiment or practical application

Sample sentence: The scientist gathered empirical data to support his hypothesis, strengthening its credibility.

Definition: Behaving or looking as though one thinks they are superior to others; haughty, disdainful, or contemptuous

Sample sentence: Her supercilious attitude made it difficult for her coworkers to connect with her on a personal level.

Definition: Being in a state of disorder or disarray, especially regarding one's appearance or clothing

Sample sentence: The hikers arrived at the campground, looking disheveled and exhausted after days in the wilderness.

Definition: Being very attentive to detail and accuracy; having high standards, particularly in matters of cleanliness, order, or quality

Sample sentence: As a fastidious editor, he would comb through every line of the manuscript, ensuring its accuracy and clarity.

Definition: Belief in or acceptance of something as true; the quality of being credible or trustworthy

Sample sentence: The eyewitness testimony added credence to the criminal investigation.

Definition: Belief or acceptance that something is true or valid; trust or confidence in a person, idea, or statement

Sample sentence: The lack of evidence supporting the claim made it difficult for many to give credence to the rumor.

Definition: Believing in the principle that all people are equal and deserve equal rights and opportunities; promoting equality and social justice

Sample sentence: The activist fought for egalitarian policies to ensure everyone had access to quality education.

Definition: Belonging naturally or essential to the nature of something; inherent or innate

Sample sentence: The intrinsic value of education lies beyond the practical skills it imparts.

Definition: Bending or moving easily and gracefully; flexible, supple

Sample sentence: The lithe dancer moved effortlessly across the stage.

Definition: Beyond doubt or reproach; unquestionable and beyond suspicion

Sample sentence: The judge's integrity was unimpeachable, and no one doubted her commitment to justice.

Definition: Bold or impudent behavior, often showing disrespect or a lack of courtesy; audacity or nerve

Sample sentence: The student's effrontery in challenging the teacher's expertise earned him a stern reprimand.

Definition: Bold, daring, or adventurous; showing a willingness to take risks; insolent or impudent in behavior

Sample sentence: The audacious explorer ventured into uncharted territory, braving treacherous conditions and unpredictable challenges.

Definition: Brief and to the point; effectively concise; sparing in the use of words; abrupt or curt

Sample sentence: The boss's terse email left no room for misunderstanding the urgency of the requested tasks.

Definition: Brief, concise, and full of meaning; expressing much in few words; sometimes marked by a biting or witty quality

Sample sentence: The novelist was known for her pithy dialogue, which kept readers engaged and entertained.

Definition: Brisk and cheerful readiness; eagerness to do something

Sample sentence: She accepted the job offer with alacrity and started her new position the following week.

Definition: Calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation; not easily moved or excited

Sample sentence: Her stolid demeanor allowed her to remain calm under pressure and think clearly during emergencies.

Definition: Calm, peaceful, or happy; often used to describe a time in the past that was idyllic or carefree

Sample sentence: She fondly recalled the halcyon days of her youth, when she spent her summers exploring the countryside with her friends.

Definition: Capable of being shaped or changed without breaking; adaptable or easily influenced

Sample sentence: Soft clay is malleable and can be easily molded into various shapes.

Definition: Capable of burning, corroding, or destroying organic tissue; also, having a bitter or sarcastic tone that tends to make others feel hurt or angry

Sample sentence: The caustic cleaner easily removed the stubborn soap scum, but it also slightly damaged the delicate finish on the vintage tub.