The free word list

Ten words a day beats a hundred in one night

The list, set by set

1. 1

   Week 1: sets 1 to 5

   One set a day, five days a week. For each word: read the meaning, say the opposite, read the sentence, then make your own sentence out loud.

   The note in brackets is the word part, when it really helps. Learn the word part once and it opens other words too.

   Set 1

   Abatelessen; die down · opposite: intensifyWe waited inside the barracks until the heavy rain began to abate.

   Abhorhate deeply · opposite: adoreMy sister abhors cold coffee, so she always drinks hers right away. (ab- = away)

   Abridgeshorten · opposite: lengthenThe radio station abridged the long interview to fit into a five-minute slot.

   Abruptsudden and unexpected · opposite: gradualThe bus came to an abrupt stop, and everyone grabbed the seat in front. (ab- = away; rupt = break)

   Absolutecomplete; total · opposite: partialThe library was in absolute silence during the week of final exams.

   Acclaimpraise; applause · opposite: criticismThe new recruit's chili earned wide acclaim at the unit's holiday dinner.

   Acridsharp and bitter in smell · opposite: sweetAn acrid smell filled the kitchen after Dad burned the toast again. (acr = sharp)

   Adepthighly skilled · opposite: clumsyAfter two years in the motor pool, Luis is adept at changing truck tires quickly.

   Adherestick to; follow closely · opposite: detachI adhere to a strict budget every month so I can save for a car. (ad- = to; her/hes = stick (as in adhesive))

   Admonishwarn or scold gently · opposite: praiseThe librarian admonished two students for talking loudly during the quiet study hour. (ad- = to; mon = warn)

   Set 2

   Vindicateclear of blame · opposite: accuseThe security video vindicated the cashier by showing she had counted the money correctly.

   Frugalthrifty; careful with money · opposite: wastefulBeing frugal, Sam packed his lunch every day and saved for a used car.

   Deteriorateget worse · opposite: improveWithout daily practice, his piano skills slowly deteriorated over the summer.

   Amplemore than enough · opposite: scarceThere was ample room in the truck for all of our camping gear.

   Bluntfrank and direct · opposite: tactfulMy roommate was blunt: my side of the room was a mess and needed cleaning.

   Hinderhold back; obstruct · opposite: helpLoud construction next door hindered my studying all week, so I moved to the library.

   Squanderwaste · opposite: saveHe squandered his whole paycheck on video games and had nothing left for rent.

   Appeasecalm down; pacify · opposite: provokeTo appease the angry neighbor, we promised to turn the music down by nine.

   Brevityshortness · opposite: wordinessThe brevity of the recipe surprised me: just four steps on a small card. (brev = short)

   Deficitshortage · opposite: surplusThe club had a deficit of fifty dollars after paying for the party.

   Set 3

   Elusivehard to catch or find · opposite: attainableThe elusive cat hid under the porch every time we tried to catch it.

   Futileuseless; pointless · opposite: effectiveTrying to start the car with a dead battery was futile, so we called a friend.

   Jeopardydanger; risk · opposite: safetySkipping so many classes put his scholarship in jeopardy before the semester ended.

   Haphazardrandom; unplanned · opposite: orderlyHis haphazard study plan, a page here and a chapter there, left big gaps. (hap = chance)

   Laudpraise · opposite: criticizeOur first sergeant lauded the private who stayed late to help clean the motor pool. (laud = praise)

   Covertsecret; hidden · opposite: openThe kids planned a covert surprise party while their mom was at work.

   Austereplain and simple; strict · opposite: luxuriousBefore the race, Kim kept an austere diet of rice, chicken and plain water.

   Taciturnquiet; saying little · opposite: talkativeMy taciturn uncle nodded at dinner but said only a few words all night. (tac = silent)

   Rashhasty and careless · opposite: cautiousGrabbing the first apartment we saw, without reading the lease, was a rash move.

   Curtailcut short; reduce · opposite: extendOur picnic was curtailed when dark clouds rolled in over the lake.

   Set 4

   Adversaryopponent · opposite: allyBefore the wrestling match, Jamal studied his adversary's past matches on video.

   Compelforce · opposite: discourageThe heavy snow compelled the school to close for the rest of the day. (com- = together; pel = drive)

   Dwindleshrink little by little · opposite: growOur food supply began to dwindle on the third day of the hiking trip.

   Eminentfamous and respected · opposite: unknownAn eminent chef visited our cooking class and tasted every student's soup.

   Imminentabout to happen · opposite: distantThe boarding call meant our departure was imminent, so we finished our snacks fast.

   Lavishrich and extravagant · opposite: modestGrandma made a lavish Thanksgiving dinner with two turkeys and six kinds of pie.

   Mundaneordinary; dull · opposite: excitingFolding laundry is a mundane chore, so I play music while I do it.

   Scrupulousvery careful and honest · opposite: carelessThe scrupulous mechanic checked every bolt twice before he returned the car.

   Elicitdraw out; bring out · opposite: suppressThe teacher's funny question elicited loud laughter from the whole class. (e- = out)

   Illicitillegal; not allowed · opposite: legalThe store owner was fined for the illicit sale of cigarettes to teenagers. (il- = not)

   Set 5

   Discreetcareful not to draw attention · opposite: tactlessAsk a discreet friend for advice, someone who will keep your problem private.

   Discreteseparate; distinct · opposite: connectedThe training plan is split into four discrete parts, each with its own test.

   Censureformally criticize · opposite: praiseThe league will censure any coach who yells at referees during youth games.

   Adverseharmful; unfavorable · opposite: favorableWorking long night shifts had an adverse effect on her sleep and her grades.

   Averseunwilling; opposed · opposite: eagerMy dad is averse to long lines, so he does his shopping early in the morning.

   Principalmain; most important · opposite: minorThe principal reason I study at night is that the house is finally quiet.

   Principlebasic rule or beliefHonesty is a principle my grandmother taught me when I was very young.

   Arduousvery difficult and tiring · opposite: easyMoving the heavy couch up four flights of stairs was an arduous job.

   Candorhonesty; frankness · opposite: deceitI appreciated my friend's candor when she said my essay still needed work.

   Dearthlack; scarcity · opposite: abundanceThere was a dearth of parking spots near the stadium on game night.
   Next step: Week 2 ↓
2. 2

   Week 2: sets 6 to 10

   Before a new set, go back over yesterday’s: cover the meanings and say them from memory.

   The note in brackets is the word part, when it really helps. Learn the word part once and it opens other words too.

   Set 6

   Exacerbatemake worse · opposite: relieveScratching the bug bite only exacerbated the itch, so Maria finally put ice on it. (acer = sharp, bitter)

   Innateinborn; natural · opposite: learnedLeo has an innate sense of direction and never needs a map in a new city. (in- = in; nat = born)

   Ostracizeshut out from a group · opposite: welcomeWhen Tara wore her rival school's jersey, her friends ostracized her for a whole week.

   Thwartblock; prevent · opposite: helpMy little sister thwarted my plan to sleep in by vacuuming outside my door at seven.

   Abstainhold back from; refrain · opposite: indulgeSam abstained from late-night snacks for a month, and he slept much better. (abs- = away; tain = hold)

   Shunavoid on purpose · opposite: seekAfter the argument, Jenna shunned her cousin and sat at the far end of the table.

   Deferencepolite respect · opposite: disrespectOut of deference to the chaplain, the soldiers lowered their voices in the chapel.

   Embellishdecorate; add details to · opposite: simplifyKayla embellished her story about meeting the singer, claiming they had talked for an hour. (bel = beautiful)

   Ineptclumsy; unskilled · opposite: skillfulI was so inept at folding sheets that my roommate took over the job. (in- = not; ept = fit)

   Bleakgloomy; without hope · opposite: brightThe weather report looked bleak, with gray skies and cold rain all week.

   Set 7

   Profoundvery deep; intense · opposite: shallowBecoming a father had a profound effect on how Marcus spent his free time. (fund = bottom)

   Surpassgo beyond; exceed · opposite: fall shortOn her second fitness test, Dana surpassed her old push-up record by ten reps. (sur- = over)

   Affluentwealthy; rich · opposite: poorMost students at the affluent private school drove brand-new cars to class. (flu = flow)

   Destitutevery poor; in need · opposite: wealthyWhen the factory closed, many workers were left destitute, unable to buy food or pay rent.

   Complyobey; follow a rule · opposite: refuseAll drivers must comply with the speed limit inside the base gates.

   Deterdiscourage; keep from acting · opposite: encourageThe long wait at the clinic did not deter Mia; she brought a book and stayed. (de- = away; terr = frighten)

   Ficklechanging often; unsteady · opposite: loyalMy fickle little brother picks a new favorite team every season.

   Hastenhurry; speed up · opposite: delayDark clouds made us hasten our steps toward the bus stop.

   Intricatecomplicated; detailed · opposite: simpleThe quilt had an intricate pattern of tiny squares sewn in dozens of colors.

   Obscureunclear; little known · opposite: famousThe band was obscure for years until one of its songs played in a movie.

   Set 8

   Rebukescold sharply · opposite: praiseThe sergeant rebuked the private for leaving his boots unlaced during inspection.

   Tangiblereal; able to be touched · opposite: abstractAfter months of saving, the new car was tangible proof of her hard work. (tang = touch)

   Amendchange to improve; correct · opposite: worsenThe club voted to amend its rules so members could meet online.

   Curbrestrain; hold back · opposite: unleashTo curb his spending, Tony left his credit card at home on weekends.

   Diminishlessen; shrink · opposite: increaseThe pain in her knee began to diminish after a week of rest. (min = small)

   Exemptfree from a duty or rule · opposite: liableStudents with perfect attendance were exempt from the final quiz. (ex- = out; empt = take)

   Flourishgrow well; thrive · opposite: witherThe tomato plants flourished once we moved them to the sunny side of the yard. (flor = flower)

   Grimstern; harsh and serious · opposite: cheerfulThe coach had a grim look on his face after the team lost by twenty points.

   Impedeslow down; hinder · opposite: assistHeavy backpacks impeded the recruits as they climbed the steep hill. (im- = in; ped = foot)

   Lenienteasygoing; not strict · opposite: strictThe librarian was lenient and waived the fee for my overdue book. (len = soft)

   Set 9

   Pronelikely; inclined · opposite: resistantMy old laptop is prone to freezing whenever I open too many tabs.

   Vasthuge; very large · opposite: tinyThe new library has a vast collection of more than two million books.

   Acquireget; gain · opposite: loseDuring tech school, Andre acquired the skills to repair aircraft radios. (ad- = to; quir = seek)

   Baffleconfuse; puzzle · opposite: clarifyThe new phone settings baffled my grandmother, so I showed her each step.

   Endorsesupport; approve · opposite: opposeSeveral local teachers endorsed the plan to keep the library open on Sundays. (dors = back)

   Inherentbuilt-in; natural part of · opposite: addedSome noise is inherent in barracks life when forty people share one floor. (in- = in; her = stick)

   Keensharp; eager · opposite: dullThe lifeguard's keen eyes spotted the swimmer in trouble before anyone else did.

   Mitigatemake less severe; ease · opposite: aggravateDrinking plenty of water before the long march helped mitigate the effects of the heat. (mitis = mild, soft; not the mit = send of transmit)

   Subtleslight; hard to notice · opposite: obviousMaya dropped a subtle hint about her birthday by leaving a store catalog open.

   Witherdry up; shrivel · opposite: flourishThe corn withered in the fields during the long, dry summer without rain.

   Set 10

   Condoneoverlook; excuse · opposite: condemnThe manager would not condone rude comments toward customers, even on busy days. (con- = with; don = give)

   Fathomunderstand fully · opposite: misunderstandI could not fathom how my sister finished the thousand-piece puzzle in one night.

   Arbitraryrandom; without reason · opposite: reasonedThe seating chart looked arbitrary, but the teacher had actually grouped us by reading level.

   Depleteuse up; drain · opposite: replenishThe long hike depleted our water, so we refilled our bottles at the ranger station. (de- = undo; plet = fill)

   Exemplifybe a typical example ofCorporal Reyes exemplifies teamwork by helping every new member of the unit settle in. (-fy = make)

   Gaugemeasure; judgeThe teacher asked a few quick questions to gauge how much the class remembered.

   Inevitablecertain to happen; unavoidable · opposite: avoidableWith so many people shopping on the holiday, long lines at the store were inevitable. (in- = not; evit = avoid)

   Novelnew; original · opposite: familiarUsing an old shoebox as a planter was a novel idea that saved us money. (nov = new)

   Prevalentwidespread; common · opposite: rareColds are most prevalent in winter, when people spend more time indoors together. (pre- = before; val = strong)

   Sanctionofficially approve; authorize · opposite: forbidThe school board sanctioned the field trip once every parent signed the form.
   Next step: Week 3 ↓
3. 3

   Week 3: sets 11 to 15

   Before a new set, go back over yesterday’s: cover the meanings and say them from memory.

   The note in brackets is the word part, when it really helps. Learn the word part once and it opens other words too.

   Set 11

   Verbosewordy · opposite: conciseThe verbose speaker kept talking long after his ten-minute slot at graduation ended. (verbum = word)

   Precariousunstable, risky · opposite: secureThe ladder looked precarious on the uneven ground, so he held it steady.

   Skepticaldoubtful · opposite: trustingMom was skeptical of the ad that promised a new car for free.

   Corroborateconfirm · opposite: contradictTwo other recruits corroborated his story about the bus arriving late. (robur = strength)

   Repudiatereject, disown · opposite: acceptThe company repudiated the fake ad and told customers it had never offered that deal.

   Aloofdistant, unfriendly · opposite: friendlyThe aloof new roommate ate alone in his room and rarely said hello.

   Vociferousloud, noisy · opposite: quietMy neighbor is vociferous about his opinions, and he shares them with everyone on the block. (voc = voice)

   Indolentlazy · opposite: industriousThe indolent roommate slept until noon while the dirty dishes piled up.

   Placatecalm, soothe · opposite: provokeDad placated the crying toddler with a cracker until dinner was ready. (plac = please)

   Vindictivevengeful · opposite: forgivingStill angry about the breakup, he made a vindictive post to embarrass her.

   Set 12

   Amiablefriendly · opposite: hostileThe amiable new cook chats with every soldier in the chow line. (am = love)

   Contentiousargumentative · opposite: agreeableWho would get the bigger bedroom became a contentious question between the two brothers.

   Levitylightheartedness, humor · opposite: seriousnessHis joke added some levity to the long, tense day of inspections. (lev = light)

   Solemnserious, formal · opposite: cheerfulDad grew solemn as he read the letter from the hospital at the kitchen table.

   Coherentlogical, clear · opposite: confusedAfter a full night of sleep, his answers were finally coherent again. (co- = together; haer = stick)

   Meddleinterfere · opposite: stay outPlease don't meddle in your sister's plans; let her decide for herself.

   Ferventpassionate, intense · opposite: indifferentShe is a fervent fan who never misses a single home game. (ferv = boil)

   Apatheticuncaring, indifferent · opposite: enthusiasticAfter losing every game, the team seemed apathetic and stopped showing up to practice. (a- = without; path = feeling)

   Belligerenthostile, aggressive · opposite: peacefulThe belligerent driver shouted at everyone in the crowded parking lot. (bell = war)

   Docileobedient, easy to manage · opposite: unrulyOur docile cat lets the kids dress her in doll clothes without a fuss. (doc = teach)

   Set 13

   Renownedfamous · opposite: unknownThe renowned chef surprised everyone by opening a small diner near the base.

   FeignpretendShe feigned interest in his fishing stories, but she was really checking the clock.

   Culpableguilty, to blame · opposite: innocentThe landlord was held culpable for the leak because he ignored the broken pipe for months. (culp = blame)

   Exonerateclear of blame · opposite: accuseNew video exonerated the cashier, showing she never touched the missing cash. (ex- = out of; onus = burden)

   Nostalgiclonging for the past · opposite: forward-lookingOld photos from basic training made him feel nostalgic for his old buddies. (nostos = homecoming; algos = pain)

   Wistfulsadly longing · opposite: contentHe looked wistful as he packed away the uniform he wore for twenty years.

   Flexibleadaptable, bendable · opposite: rigidMy boss is flexible, so I can leave early on Fridays for class. (flex = bend)

   Explicitclearly stated · opposite: vagueThe sergeant gave explicit orders: lights out at ten, with no exceptions. (ex- = out; plic = fold)

   Beliecontradict, disguise · opposite: confirmHis big smile belied the fact that he had just failed his driving test.

   Vexannoy · opposite: pleaseLosing his keys for the third time this week really vexed him.

   Set 14

   Zealotfanatic · opposite: moderateHe became a recycling zealot who digs through the trash to rescue every can. (zeal = eager passion)

   Complacentself-satisfied, careless · opposite: vigilantAfter a year with no problems, he grew complacent and stopped checking his tire pressure.

   Concordagreement, harmony · opposite: discordThe two families lived in concord for years on the same quiet street. (con- = together; cord = heart)

   Discordconflict, disagreement · opposite: harmonyMoney troubles caused discord between the two roommates all winter long. (dis- = apart; cord = heart)

   Belittlemake seem unimportant · opposite: praiseA good leader never belittles a new recruit for asking questions.

   Extolpraise highly · opposite: criticizeThe coach extolled her hard work in front of the whole team.

   Genialfriendly, cheerful · opposite: grumpyThe genial clerk at the post office always shares a joke with customers.

   Surlyrude, grumpy · opposite: pleasantMy surly teenage brother just grunts when anyone asks him how school went.

   Copiousplentiful · opposite: scarceThe new recruits drank copious amounts of water during the hot August hike. (copia = plenty)

   Scantybarely enough · opposite: plentifulWith such scanty supplies, the campers had to share one small loaf of bread.

   Set 15

   Vehementforceful, intense · opposite: mildHe made a vehement protest when the umpire called him out at home plate.

   Furtivesneaky, secret · opposite: openThe kid cast a furtive glance at the cookie jar before grabbing one. (fur = thief)

   Stoiccalm despite hardship · opposite: emotionalShe stayed stoic through the long march, never once complaining about her blisters.

   Placidcalm, peaceful · opposite: stormyGrandpa has a placid nature; even a flat tire on the highway doesn't upset him. (plac = please)

   Turbulentstormy, chaotic · opposite: calmThe river turns turbulent after heavy rain, so the park closes the kayak rentals. (turb = disturb)

   Anomalysomething unusual · opposite: normA snowstorm in May is an anomaly in this part of Texas. (an- = not)

   Conventionaltraditional, ordinary · opposite: unusualDad prefers a conventional haircut and has gotten the same short cut for thirty years.

   Unorthodoxunusual, nontraditional · opposite: traditionalHis unorthodox study method was singing the answers, but it really worked. (un- = not; ortho = straight, correct)

   Tactfuldiplomatic, polite · opposite: rudeShe was tactful when telling her friend the new haircut did not suit him.

   Brusqueabrupt, curt · opposite: courteousSorry if I was brusque on the phone; I was late for my shift.
   Next step: Week 4 ↓
4. 4

   Week 4: sets 16 to 20

   Before a new set, go back over yesterday’s: cover the meanings and say them from memory.

   The note in brackets is the word part, when it really helps. Learn the word part once and it opens other words too.

   Set 16

   Congenialfriendly and pleasant · opposite: unfriendlyHer new roommate at basic training was congenial, always sharing snacks and laughing at her jokes. (con- = with)

   Idiosyncrasyodd personal habit · opposite: normOne idiosyncrasy of our sergeant is that he folds his socks into perfect squares. (idio = one's own)

   Assentagreement · opposite: dissentThe captain nodded her assent, so the team started loading the trucks for the trip. (sent = feel)

   Complementsomething that completesA cup of hot cocoa is the perfect complement to a cold morning run. (same root as complete)

   Complimentwords of praise · opposite: insultMy drill instructor rarely praises anyone, so his compliment on my bed made my week.

   Stationarynot moving · opposite: movingKeep the ladder stationary by holding the base while your partner climbs up. (stat = stand)

   Emigrateleave one's country to live elsewhere · opposite: immigrateLinh cried at the airport, ready to emigrate from Vietnam and leave her village behind. (e- = out)

   Immigratemove into a new country · opposite: emigrateWhen Ana's family immigrated to Australia, she learned English by watching cartoons every morning. (im- = into)

   Crediblebelievable · opposite: unbelievableSam's excuse sounded credible because he showed us the bus company's text about the breakdown. (cred = believe)

   Incredulousunwilling to believe · opposite: trustingMom looked incredulous when I said I had cleaned my whole room in ten minutes. (in- = not; cred = believe)

   Set 17

   Vacillatewaver between choices · opposite: commitI tend to vacillate between pizza and tacos until the server finally walks away.

   Culminatereach its high point · opposite: beginTen weeks of hard training will culminate in a graduation parade in front of our families. (culmen = peak)

   Nefariouswicked · opposite: virtuousThe scammers had a nefarious plan to steal savings from retired veterans over the phone.

   Benignharmless · opposite: harmfulMost spiders in your backyard are benign and will never hurt you. (bene = good)

   Malevolentwishing harm to others · opposite: kindSpreading lies about her coworker out of pure jealousy was a malevolent thing to do. (mal = bad; vol = wish)

   Altruisticunselfish · opposite: selfishGiving up his weekend to fix the shelter roof was an altruistic choice. (alter = other)

   Egregiousshockingly bad · opposite: minorCharging a soldier's family twice for the same move was an egregious billing mistake. (e- = out; greg = flock)

   Trivialunimportant · opposite: importantDon't waste the meeting on trivial details like the color of the folders.

   Ostentatiousshowy · opposite: modestHis ostentatious watch, covered in diamonds, flashed every time he raised his hand to talk.

   Unassumingmodest · opposite: showyThe unassuming runner won the state title, then quietly thanked her coach and went home. (un- = not)

   Set 18

   Impeccableflawless · opposite: flawedHer uniform was impeccable, with every crease sharp and every button shining. (im- = not; pecc = sin)

   Flawedhaving faults · opposite: perfectThe first plan was flawed because it forgot to include time for meals and rest.

   Auspiciouspromising · opposite: ominousClear skies on the first morning of the field exercise felt like an auspicious start.

   Ominousthreatening · opposite: promisingDark clouds rolled in, and the ominous rumble of thunder sent the hikers back to camp. (omen = sign)

   Pristinespotless and untouched · opposite: filthyAfter hours of scrubbing, the barracks floor looked pristine for the morning inspection.

   Squaliddirty and run-down · opposite: cleanThe volunteers turned a squalid empty lot into a neat garden for the neighborhood.

   Meanderwander slowly · opposite: rushOn Sunday afternoons we like to meander through the farmers market without any plan.

   Digressstray from the topic · opposite: focusThe teacher would often digress into stories about his dog during math class. (di- = apart; gress = step)

   Concuragree · opposite: disagreeMy parents concur that I should save half of my first paycheck. (con- = together)

   Dissentdisagreement · opposite: agreementThere was some dissent in the squad about which route to take up the mountain. (dis- = apart; sent = feel)

   Set 19

   Belaborexplain too much · opposite: summarizeEveryone understood the new schedule, so there was no need to belabor the point.

   Succinctbrief and clear · opposite: wordyThe lieutenant gave a succinct briefing that took only two minutes and answered every question.

   Capriciousunpredictable · opposite: steadyThe toddler's capricious mood swung from giggles to tears in about five seconds.

   Steadfastfirm and loyal · opposite: waveringThrough every deployment, his wife remained steadfast in her support for the family.

   Languidslow and lacking energy · opposite: energeticAfter the long holiday dinner, the whole family sat on the couch in a languid mood.

   Vigorousstrong and energetic · opposite: feebleAfter a vigorous scrubbing, the old pots looked almost new again. (vigor = strength)

   Redundantunneeded because repeated · opposite: essentialThe second sign saying the same thing was redundant, so the manager took it down.

   Superfluousmore than needed · opposite: necessaryPack only what the list says, because superfluous gear just adds weight to your bag. (super = over; flu = flow)

   Indispensableabsolutely necessary · opposite: unnecessaryA good map and plenty of water are indispensable on a long desert hike. (in- = not)

   Crypticpuzzling and mysterious · opposite: clearMy brother left a cryptic note on the fridge that just said "Back soon, bring tape." (crypt = hidden)

   Set 20

   Lucrativeprofitable · opposite: unprofitableThe skills she learned as a mechanic led to a lucrative job after her service. (lucr = gain)

   Perfunctorydone quickly without care · opposite: thoroughHis perfunctory glance at the truck missed the flat tire on the back.

   Astutesharp and clever · opposite: dullThe astute mechanic heard one odd click and knew exactly which part was failing.

   Naiveinnocent and inexperienced · opposite: worldlyAs a naive new recruit, I thought the first week would be easy.

   Ingenuousinnocent and trusting · opposite: cunningThe ingenuous intern trusted everyone and openly admitted she had no idea how the copier worked.

   Gullibleeasily fooled · opposite: skepticalThe gullible private believed his friends when they said the chow hall served lobster on Fridays.

   Shrewdclever and practical · opposite: foolishThe shrewd coach saved his best runner for the final leg of the relay.

   Wilysly and crafty · opposite: naiveThe wily raccoon figured out how to open the lid of our campsite cooler.

   Duplicitousdeceitful · opposite: honestThe duplicitous salesman promised one price on the phone and charged another at the store. (du- = two)

   Forthrightdirect and honest · opposite: evasiveThe recruiter was forthright about the long hours and the time away from home.
   Next step: Week 5 ↓
5. 5

   Week 5: sets 21 to 25

   Before a new set, go back over yesterday’s: cover the meanings and say them from memory.

   The note in brackets is the word part, when it really helps. Learn the word part once and it opens other words too.

   Set 21

   Culpritperson who is guilty · opposite: innocentThe missing donuts were a mystery until the culprit left sugar on his uniform. (culpa = guilt)

   Guileclever trickery · opposite: honestyShe won the board game through guile, pretending to be weak until the final move.

   Zenithhighest point · opposite: nadirAt the zenith of her career, the sergeant was training every new recruit in the unit.

   Nadirlowest point · opposite: zenithFailing the first fitness test was the nadir of his week, but he improved fast.

   Ephemeralshort-lived · opposite: lastingThe rainbow over the base was ephemeral, gone before anyone could grab a phone. (hemera = day (Greek))

   Perenniallasting year after year · opposite: temporaryRunning late on Monday mornings is a perennial problem in our house. (per- = through, annus = year)

   Myriadcountless · opposite: fewThe new recruit had a myriad of questions about pay, housing, and leave.

   Paucityscarcity · opposite: abundanceA paucity of parking spots near the gym made everyone arrive early.

   Quintessentialmost typical; perfect example · opposite: atypicalWith grills, flags, and fireworks, the cookout was the quintessential Fourth of July party.

   Anomalousabnormal · opposite: normalEighty degrees in January was anomalous, so the whole base went outside in T-shirts. (an- = not)

   Set 22

   Pervasivespread everywhere · opposite: limitedThe smell of fresh coffee was pervasive, filling every room of the barracks.

   Innocuousharmless · opposite: harmfulThe question seemed innocuous, but it started a two-hour debate at dinner. (in- = not)

   Deliberateintentional · opposite: accidentalLeaving the last slice of pizza for her was a deliberate act of kindness.

   Garrulousvery talkative · opposite: quietThe garrulous barber told us his whole life story during one short haircut.

   Loquacioustalkative · opposite: silentMy loquacious neighbor can turn a quick hello into a thirty-minute chat. (loqu = speak)

   Pithybrief and meaningful · opposite: wordyThe coach gave a pithy speech: show up, work hard, and help each other.

   Terseshort and blunt · opposite: long-windedTired after a double shift, Dad gave terse answers and went straight to bed.

   Effusivegushing; overflowing with feeling · opposite: restrainedThe new coach was effusive about the team, praising every player after the first practice.

   Diffidentshy; lacking confidence · opposite: confidentDiffident at first, the new cook barely looked up when the crew said hello. (fid = trust)

   Bombasticpompous and overblown · opposite: plainThe bombastic ad promised the new blender would change our lives forever.

   Set 23

   Colossalhuge · opposite: tinyA colossal moving truck blocked the whole street outside our new apartment.

   Diminutivevery small · opposite: giganticThe diminutive puppy hid behind the couch whenever the doorbell rang. (min = small)

   Negligibletoo small to matter · opposite: significantThe price difference between the two phone plans was negligible, about one dollar.

   Substantiallarge; considerable · opposite: insignificantShe saved a substantial amount of money by cooking at home every night.

   Exorbitantfar too expensive · opposite: reasonableThe repair shop wanted an exorbitant four hundred dollars just to replace one headlight bulb. (ex- = out of)

   Nominalvery small; in name only · opposite: substantialThe shipping cost was nominal, just ninety-nine cents, so I ordered the extra socks. (nom = name)

   Rigorousstrict and thorough · opposite: laxThe mechanic did a rigorous inspection, checking every bolt, hose, and belt before the trip.

   Laxloose; not strict · opposite: strictSecurity at the concert was lax, so lines moved fast but felt unsafe.

   Stringentvery strict · opposite: lenientThe pool has stringent rules: no running, no glass, and showers first.

   Draconianextremely harsh · opposite: mildTaking away his phone for a year seemed a draconian punishment for one late night. (from Draco, a harsh Athenian lawmaker)

   Set 24

   Elatedoverjoyed · opposite: dejectedShe was elated when her test scores qualified her for the job she wanted.

   Despondenthopeless; very sad · opposite: hopefulAfter losing his wallet and missing the bus, he felt despondent all afternoon.

   Iratevery angry · opposite: calmThe irate driver honked for a full minute after someone took his parking spot. (ira = anger)

   Serenecalm and peaceful · opposite: agitatedAfter the kids fell asleep, the house felt serene for the first time all day.

   Disconcertedunsettled; flustered · opposite: composedHe was disconcerted when the interviewer stayed silent and simply stared at him.

   Perturbedworried; bothered · opposite: relaxedMom seemed perturbed when the school called twice in one morning.

   Unperturbedcalm; not bothered · opposite: upsetThe pilot stayed unperturbed during the bumpy flight and calmly updated the passengers. (un- = not)

   Melancholysad; gloomy · opposite: cheerfulPacking up his childhood bedroom left him in a melancholy mood all weekend.

   Apprehensiveanxious; uneasy · opposite: at easeThe new driver was apprehensive about merging onto the busy freeway for the first time.

   Rhetoricpersuasive speech or languageThe car salesman's smooth rhetoric almost made me forget to check the price.

   Set 25

   Articulateclear in speech · opposite: inarticulateThe articulate recruiter explained each job option in simple, clear terms.

   Inarticulateunable to speak clearly · opposite: articulateWithout his notes, the usually smooth speaker became inarticulate and lost his place twice. (in- = not)

   Coaxgently persuade · opposite: forceMy friend had to coax me onto the dance floor with gentle encouragement.

   Cajolepersuade with flattery · opposite: coerceWith sweet talk and a big smile, she cajoled the clerk into opening the closed register.

   Persuasiveconvincing · opposite: unconvincingHer persuasive argument convinced the team to move the meeting to Friday.

   Dogmaticrigidly sure of opinions · opposite: open-mindedMy uncle is dogmatic about grilling and refuses to try any other method.

   Pontificatelecture in a self-important wayHe loves to pontificate about fitness, though he rarely visits the gym himself.

   Verbatimword for word · opposite: paraphrasedThe clerk repeated my order verbatim to make sure nothing was wrong. (verb = word)

   Eludeescape; avoid · opposite: faceThe puppy eluded the whole family for an hour, darting between bushes in the yard.

   Alludehint at; refer indirectly · opposite: state directlyShe alluded to a surprise party by asking what I was doing Saturday night.
   Next step: Week 6 ↓
6. 6

   Week 6: sets 26 to 30

   Before a new set, go back over yesterday’s: cover the meanings and say them from memory.

   The note in brackets is the word part, when it really helps. Learn the word part once and it opens other words too.

   Set 26

   Loathunwilling; reluctant · opposite: willingMaria was loath to leave her friends, but her new unit was across the country.

   Loathehate; detest · opposite: loveI loathe waking up at 4:30, but morning PT gets easier every week.

   Councilgroup that advises or decidesThe base housing council heard complaints about broken heaters and decided to replace them.

   Counseladvice; to adviseBefore signing the lease, Jake asked his older sister for counsel.

   Affectinfluence; changeA cold snap can affect how quickly a car engine starts in the morning.

   Effectresult; outcome · opposite: causeThe new study schedule had a clear effect on her practice scores.

   Palpableobvious; easily felt · opposite: imperceptibleGrandpa's pride was palpable as he watched her walk across the graduation stage. (palp = touch)

   Ostensibleseeming; stated but maybe untrue · opposite: actualHis ostensible reason for leaving early was a headache, but he wanted to see the game.

   Enervateweaken; drain of energy · opposite: invigorateHours of standing in line at the DMV enervated even the cheerful kids. (e- = out)

   Invigorateenergize; refresh · opposite: exhaustA cold shower and a good breakfast invigorated him before the long shift. (vigor = strength)

   Set 27

   Debilitateweaken badly · opposite: strengthenA bad case of the flu debilitated her for most of the week. (debilis = weak)

   Fortifystrengthen; reinforce · opposite: weakenThe crew fortified the old barn walls before the winter storms arrived. (fort = strong)

   Assuageease; calm · opposite: aggravateThe recruiter's clear answers assuaged his parents' worries about basic training.

   Aggravatemake worse; annoy · opposite: alleviateScratching the mosquito bite only aggravated the itch and made it swell. (grav = heavy)

   Palliateease pain without curing · opposite: worsenPatching the roof palliated the leak, but the whole roof still needed replacing.

   Bolstersupport; boost · opposite: weakenPassing two practice tests in a row bolstered her confidence.

   Undermineweaken little by little · opposite: supportSkipping sleep every night will undermine all the hours you spend studying.

   Sabotagedamage on purpose · opposite: supportSomeone sabotaged the team's float by cutting its wires the night before the parade.

   Partisanstrongly favoring one side · opposite: neutralThe debate turned partisan, with each side cheering only for its own speaker.

   Biasunfair preference · opposite: fairnessThe coach tried hard to pick players without bias toward his own friends.

   Set 28

   Objectivebased on facts; fair · opposite: subjectiveA scale gives an objective measure of weight, unlike a friend's guess.

   Subjectivebased on personal feelings · opposite: objectiveChoosing the best pizza topping is subjective, so the family voted instead.

   Discernnotice; tell apart · opposite: overlookIn the thick fog, she could barely discern the road signs ahead. (cern = separate)

   Prejudiceopinion formed without facts · opposite: toleranceHe tried to meet his new roommate without prejudice, despite the rumors. (pre- = before)

   Impugnchallenge as false · opposite: defendThe angry neighbor impugned my honesty, saying I had moved the fence line.

   Substantiateprove; back up with evidence · opposite: disproveShe substantiated her claim with receipts showing every payment she made.

   Refuteprove wrong · opposite: confirmThe mechanic refuted my theory by showing the battery was perfectly fine.

   Unbiasedfair; impartial · opposite: biasedWe asked an unbiased neighbor to judge the chili contest. (un- = not)

   Fluctuaterise and fall; vary · opposite: stabilizeThe temperature in the desert can fluctuate forty degrees between noon and midnight. (fluct = wave)

   Staticnot moving or changing · opposite: dynamicHis pay stayed static for two years until he finally got promoted.

   Set 29

   Transienttemporary; brief · opposite: permanentThe rain was transient, and the sun was out again within ten minutes. (trans- = across)

   Permanentlasting; never ending · opposite: temporaryAfter months in temporary housing, the family finally moved into a permanent home. (per- = through)

   Metamorphosiscomplete change of formTen weeks of training brought a metamorphosis in his posture and confidence. (morph = shape)

   Stagnantnot flowing; not growing · opposite: flowingThe water in the old tire was stagnant and full of mosquitoes.

   Dynamicenergetic; always changing · opposite: staticOur new team leader is dynamic and brings fresh ideas to every meeting. (dyna = power)

   Expeditespeed up · opposite: delayTwo extra cashiers expedited the long checkout line at the commissary.

   Facilitatemake easier · opposite: hinderA clear checklist facilitated the move from one barracks to another. (facil = easy)

   Momentumforce that keeps something moving · opposite: stagnationOnce the loaded cart rolled downhill, its momentum made it hard to stop.

   Excessivetoo much · opposite: moderateThe price of one bottle of water at the stadium seemed excessive. (ex- = beyond)

   Moderatereasonable; not extreme · opposite: extremeWe drove at a moderate speed because the mountain road was wet and narrow.

   Set 30

   Abstemiouseating and drinking very little · opposite: gluttonousMy abstemious roommate eats half a sandwich for lunch and saves the rest.

   Indulgentlenient; giving in to wishes · opposite: strictOur indulgent coach let us end practice early whenever we begged hard enough.

   Gluttonousgreedy about food · opposite: abstemiousAfter a gluttonous night at the buffet, he could barely get off the couch.

   Asceticstrictly self-denying; very plain · opposite: indulgentMy ascetic grandmother owned one pot, one pan, and never kept sweets in the house.

   Temperanceself-control; moderation · opposite: excessShe showed temperance at the party, sticking to water so she could drive.

   Voraciousvery hungry; very eager · opposite: satisfiedAfter the ten-mile ruck march, the voracious recruits went back for thirds at the chow hall. (vor = eat)

   Insatiableimpossible to satisfy · opposite: satisfiedThe new puppy had an insatiable appetite and begged at every meal. (in- = not; sat = enough)

   Restraintself-control; holding back · opposite: excessHe showed restraint and kept his voice calm when the customer started yelling.

   Stimulateexcite; spur to action · opposite: dullPuzzles and new running routes stimulate the brain more than watching TV.

   Simulateimitate; fakeThe video game simulates driving a big rig across ten states. (simil = like)
   Next step: Three examples ↓
7. 7

   Three worked examples, from easy to test level

   How to learn a word from the list, and how the test will try to trick you with it. Each starts with the guess most people make, crossed out.

   Example · Easy

   Laud most nearly means…

   First tryLaud sounds like “loud”, so it means noisy

   1. Do not trust the sound. Look it up in the list: laud means praise, and its opposite is criticize.
   2. Make your own sentence: “The sergeant lauded the squad for finishing early.”
   3. Tomorrow, cover the meaning and say it from memory before the next set.

   Answer praise

   Example · Medium

   Incredulous most nearly means…

   First tryIt looks like “incredible”, so it means amazing

   1. Break it into parts: in- means not, cred means believe.
   2. So incredulous is “not believing”: unwilling to believe.
   3. Incredible describes a thing that is hard to believe; incredulous describes a person who does not believe.

   Answer unwilling to believe

   Example · Test level

   “The note was so cryptic that no one knew what it asked for.” Cryptic most nearly means…

   First tryA crypt is a tomb, so cryptic means scary

   1. Use the sentence: no one knew what the note asked for. So the word is about being hard to understand.
   2. Put your own word in its place: “so puzzling that no one knew what it asked for” makes sense.
   3. The word part crypt means hidden, like a hidden meaning. Cryptic means puzzling and mysterious.

   Answer puzzling

4 traps in the answer choices

The test writes its wrong answers on purpose: each one is what you get if you make one of these mistakes.

15 questions in three levels

Warm-up first, then core, then test level. Pick an answer, then read why.

12 flashcards

Tap a card to flip it. Keep the ones you miss until they stick.