Comprehensive GCSE Vocabulary Bank

Meanings and Synonyms • Curated for exam-style reading and writing tasks

How to use this bank

1) Revise 10–15 words per session • 2) Write a sentence using each word • 3) For confusable words (e.g., affect/effect),
test yourself with quick quizzes • 4) When writing, replace a basic word with a precise synonym from this list.

Word Meaning Synonyms

Aberration A departure from what is normal or expected, typically unwelcome.
anomaly, deviation, irregularity
Abject Extremely bad, unpleasant, and degrading. wretched, miserable, deplorable
Abrasive Harsh or showing little concern for others' feelings; also rough
caustic,
in texture.
grating, rough
Abstain To choose not to do or have something. refrain, forgo, desist
Abstruse Difficult to understand; obscure. opaque, esoteric, recondite
Acquiesce To accept something reluctantly but without protest. comply, concede, yield
Acrid Having an irritatingly strong and unpleasant taste or smell; also
pungent,
bitter bitter,
in tone.caustic
Acuity Sharpness or keenness (of thought, vision, or hearing). sharpness, keenness, perception
Adulation Excessive admiration or praise. flattery, idolization, worship
Aesthetic Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. artistic, tasteful, picturesque
Affable Friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to. amiable, genial, cordial
Alacrity Brisk and cheerful readiness. eagerness, willingness, zeal
Alleviate To make suffering or a problem less severe. ease, mitigate, relieve
Allude To refer to something indirectly. hint, imply, suggest
Aloof Not friendly or forthcoming; cool and distant. detached, reserved, standoffish
Ambivalent Having mixed feelings about something or someone. uncertain, torn, conflicted
Ameliorate To make something bad or unsatisfactory better. improve, enhance, mitigate
Amicable Having a spirit of friendliness; without serious disagreement.cordial, harmonious, peaceable
Anachronism A thing belonging to a period other than that in which it exists.
misdating, misplacement, throwback
Analogous Comparable in certain respects. similar, comparable, akin
Anomaly Something that deviates from what is standard or expected.irregularity, aberration, outlier
Antipathy A deep-seated feeling of dislike. aversion, hostility, enmity
Apathy Lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern. indifference, passivity, listlessness
Aplomb Self-confidence or assurance, especially in a demanding situation.
poise, composure, assurance
Apocryphal Of doubtful authenticity. spurious, dubious, questionable
Appease To pacify by acceding to demands. placate, mollify, soothe
Arbitrary Based on random choice or personal whim. capricious, whimsical, subjective
Arduous Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult. laborious, taxing, onerous
Articulate Having or showing the ability to speak fluently and coherently.
eloquent, expressive, lucid
Ascertain To find out for certain. determine, verify, discover
Astute Having or showing an ability to accurately assess situations.shrewd, perceptive, sharp
Audacious Showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks. bold, daring, intrepid
Auspicious Conducive to success; favorable. propitious, favorable, promising
Avarice Extreme greed for wealth or material gain. rapacity, cupidity, greed
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Banal So lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring. trite, hackneyed, clichéd
Belligerent Hostile and aggressive. bellicose, pugnacious, antagonistic
Benign Gentle and kindly; not harmful. harmless, benevolent, mild
Bequeath To leave (a personal estate) to a person by will. leave, endow, bestow
Berate To scold or criticize angrily. rebuke, chastise, upbraid
Beseech To ask someone urgently and fervently. implore, entreat, beg
Blatant Done openly and unashamedly; obvious. flagrant, overt, brazen
Bolster To support or strengthen. reinforce, buttress, boost
Brevity Concise and exact use of words. conciseness, terseness, pithiness
Brusque Abrupt or offhand in speech or manner. curt, blunt, terse
Cajole To persuade by sustained flattery or coaxing. coax, persuade, wheedle
Candid Truthful and straightforward. frank, open, forthright
Capitulate To cease to resist an opponent; surrender. yield, submit, concede
Capricious Given to sudden changes of mood or behavior. fickle, whimsical, volatile
Censure To express severe disapproval. condemn, denounce, rebuke
Chastise To rebuke or reprimand severely. castigate, scold, upbraid
Choleric Bad-tempered or irritable. irascible, peevish, testy
Clandestine Kept secret or done secretively. covert, furtive, surreptitious
Coerce To persuade using force or threats. compel, pressure, intimidate
Cogent Clear, logical, and convincing. persuasive, compelling, forceful
Cohesive Forming a united whole. unified, integrated, connected
Colossal Extremely large. enormous, gigantic, titanic
Commendable Deserving praise. laudable, admirable, praiseworthy
Complacent Smug or uncritically satisfied with oneself. self-satisfied, smug, conceited
Concise Giving a lot of information clearly and in few words. succinct, terse, pithy
Concur To agree. assent, accord, agree
Condone To accept or allow behavior that is wrong. sanction, overlook, tolerate
Conducive Making a certain situation likely or possible. favorable, helpful, beneficial
Conflagration A large destructive fire. inferno, blaze, firestorm
Conspicuous Standing out so as to be clearly visible. noticeable, prominent, salient
Constitute To be part of a whole; to make up. comprise, form, compose
Contend To struggle to surmount; assert something. argue, maintain, compete
Contrite Feeling remorse or guilt. penitent, repentant, remorseful
Conundrum A confusing and difficult problem. puzzle, enigma, riddle
Convoluted Extremely complex and difficult to follow. intricate, tortuous, labyrinthine
Copious Abundant in supply or quantity. plentiful, ample, profuse
Credulous Having too great a readiness to believe. gullible, naive, trusting
Cursory Hasty and therefore not thorough. perfunctory, superficial, sketchy
Daunting Seeming difficult to deal with; intimidating. intimidating, formidable, discouraging
Debilitate To make someone weak and infirm. weaken, enfeeble, sap
Debunk To expose the falseness of an idea or belief. disprove, refute, confound
Decorous In keeping with good taste and propriety; polite. proper, seemly, well-mannered
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Deference Polite submission and respect. respect, esteem, regard
Definitive Conclusive and authoritative. final, authoritative, decisive
Deft Neatly skillful and quick in movement. nimble, dexterous, adept
Deleterious Causing harm or damage. harmful, detrimental, pernicious
Delineate To describe or portray precisely. outline, depict, sketch
Demure Reserved, modest, and shy. modest, retiring, diffident
Denigrate To criticize unfairly; disparage. belittle, deprecate, vilify
Deride To express contempt for; ridicule. mock, scoff, taunt
Derive To obtain from a source; originate from. originate, stem, obtain
Desolate Deserted and bleak; make a place empty or bare. barren, bleak, devoid
Despondent In low spirits from loss of hope or courage. dejected, downcast, disconsolate
Detrimental Tending to cause harm. harmful, damaging, injurious
Dexterous Demonstrating neat skill, especially with the hands. adroit, nimble, agile
Didactic Intended to teach, particularly moral instruction. instructive, educational, edifying
Dilapidated In a state of disrepair or ruin. ramshackle, decrepit, derelict
Diligent Having or showing care in one's work. industrious, assiduous, hardworking
Discrepancy A lack of compatibility or similarity between facts. inconsistency, variance, difference
Disdain The feeling that something is unworthy of consideration. contempt, scorn, derision
Disparage To regard or represent as being of little worth. belittle, deprecate, denigrate
Disparate Essentially different in kind. divergent, dissimilar, distinct
Dispel To make a doubt or feeling disappear. disperse, banish, dissipate
Disseminate To spread widely (ideas or information). propagate, diffuse, distribute
Dissent The expression of opinions at variance with those commonlydisagreement,
held. opposition, nonconformity
Dissuade To persuade someone not to take a particular course of action.
deter, discourage, prevent
Dubious Hesitating or doubting; suspect. questionable, skeptical, suspect
Ebullient Cheerful and full of energy. enthusiastic, exuberant, vivacious
Eccentric Unconventional and slightly strange. quirky, idiosyncratic, peculiar
Eclectic Deriving ideas or style from a broad range of sources. wide-ranging, diverse, varied
Egregious Outstandingly bad; shocking. flagrant, atrocious, heinous
Elated Ecstatically happy. overjoyed, euphoric, exultant
Elucidate To make something clear; explain. clarify, explicate, illuminate
Emulate To match or surpass, typically by imitation. imitate, mirror, rival
Enervate To cause someone to feel drained of energy. weaken, debilitate, sap
Engender To cause or give rise to (a feeling, situation). produce, generate, incite
Enumerate To mention one by one; list. itemize, list, recount
Ephemeral Lasting for a very short time. transient, fleeting, momentary
Epitome A person or thing that is a perfect example. embodiment, paragon, essence
Equanimity Calmness and composure, especially in a difficult situation. composure, serenity, poise
Equivocal Open to more than one interpretation; ambiguous. ambiguous, unclear, vague
Eradicate To destroy completely; put an end to. eliminate, exterminate, abolish
Erratic Not even or regular; unpredictable. inconsistent, capricious, fitful
Erudite Having or showing great knowledge. learned, scholarly, knowledgeable
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Esoteric Intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number
arcane,
of people.
recondite, abstruse
Euphemism A mild word substituted for one considered too harsh. softening, understatement, circumlocution
Euphoria A feeling of intense excitement and happiness. elation, ecstasy, rapture
Evanescent Soon passing out of sight; quickly fading. transient, fleeting, momentary
Exacerbate To make a problem or situation worse. worsen, aggravate, intensify
Exasperate To irritate intensely. infuriate, irk, annoy
Excoriate To criticize severely. lambast, denounce, censure
Exculpate To show or declare that someone is not guilty. exonerate, vindicate, absolve
Exigent Pressing; demanding. urgent, critical, imperative
Exonerate To absolve from blame for a fault or wrongdoing. acquit, clear, vindicate
Expedite To make an action happen sooner. hasten, accelerate, speed
Extol To praise enthusiastically. laud, eulogize, celebrate
Extraneous Irrelevant or unrelated to the subject. irrelevant, immaterial, superfluous
Facilitate To make an action or process easier. ease, assist, enable
Fallacious Based on a mistaken belief. erroneous, misleading, specious
Fastidious Very attentive to accuracy and detail. meticulous, scrupulous, exacting
Fervent Having or displaying a passionate intensity. ardent, zealous, impassioned
Fiasco A complete failure, especially humiliating. debacle, disaster, catastrophe
Flabbergasted Greatly surprised or astonished. astonished, stunned, aghast
Flagrant Conspicuously or obviously offensive. blatant, glaring, outrageous
Flippant Not showing a serious or respectful attitude. frivolous, glib, impertinent
Formidable Inspiring fear or respect through being large, powerful, or capable.
intimidating, daunting, impressive
Fortuitous Happening by chance rather than intention; lucky. serendipitous, accidental, chance
Frivolous Not having any serious purpose or value. trivial, petty, superficial
Frugal Sparing or economical regarding money or food. thrifty, economical, parsimonious
Furtive Attempting to avoid notice or attention. secretive, surreptitious, clandestine
Garrulous Excessively talkative. loquacious, chatty, verbose
Gauche Lacking ease or grace; socially awkward. awkward, tactless, inelegant
Gaunt Lean and haggard, especially from suffering. emaciated, skeletal, hollow-cheeked
Genial Friendly and cheerful. amiable, affable, cordial
Germane Relevant to a subject under consideration. relevant, pertinent, apposite
Grandiose Impressive or magnificent in appearance; pretentiously so. magniloquent, pretentious, imposing
Gratuitous Uncalled for; lacking good reason. unwarranted, unnecessary, needless
Gregarious Fond of company; sociable. sociable, outgoing, convivial
Hackneyed Lacking significance through overuse. trite, clichéd, banal
Harangue A lengthy and aggressive speech. tirade, diatribe, rant
Haughty Arrogantly superior and disdainful. arrogant, supercilious, conceited
Hedonistic Engaged in the pursuit of pleasure. self-indulgent, pleasure-seeking, sybaritic
Heinous Utterly odious or wicked. atrocious, abominable, egregious
Heresy Belief contrary to orthodox doctrine. dissent, unorthodoxy, heterodoxy
Hiatus A pause or gap in a sequence. break, intermission, lull
Hypocrisy Claiming to have standards one does not actually have. insincerity, pretense, duplicity
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Hypothetical Based on or serving as a hypothesis. theoretical, supposed, speculative
Iconoclast A person who attacks cherished beliefs. heretic, nonconformist, maverick
Idiosyncrasy A mode of behavior peculiar to an individual. quirk, peculiarity, eccentricity
Ignominious Deserving or causing public disgrace. shameful, disgraceful, humiliating
Illicit Forbidden by law or rules. illegal, unlawful, proscribed
Immaculate Perfectly clean or neat. pristine, spotless, unsullied
Immune Resistant to a particular infection or toxin; not affected. resistant, insusceptible, exempt
Immutable Unchanging over time. unchangeable, invariable, fixed
Impartial Treating all rivals equally; fair. objective, unbiased, even-handed
Impeccable In accordance with the highest standards. flawless, immaculate, exemplary
Impetuous Acting quickly without thought or care. rash, impulsive, hasty
Impetus The force that makes something happen; momentum. stimulus, impulse, drive
Implacable Unable to be appeased or placated. relentless, unforgiving, inexorable
Implicit Implied though not plainly expressed. tacit, unspoken, understood
Imply To strongly suggest the truth of something. suggest, insinuate, hint
Improvise To create and perform without preparation. ad-lib, extemporize, wing
Incessant Continuing without pause. ceaseless, unceasing, perpetual
Incredulous Unwilling or unable to believe. skeptical, doubtful, suspicious
Indolent Wanting to avoid activity; lazy. slothful, idle, lethargic
Ineffable Too great to be expressed in words. inexpressible, unspeakable, indescribable
Inexorable Impossible to stop or prevent. relentless, implacable, unstoppable
Ingenuous Innocent and unsuspecting. naive, artless, guileless
Inherent Existing in something as a permanent attribute. intrinsic, innate, essential
Inhibit To hinder or restrain an action. impede, hamper, deter
Innate Inborn; natural. inherent, congenital, intrinsic
Innuendo An allusive or oblique remark, typically suggestive. insinuation, hint, imputation
Insatiable Impossible to satisfy. unquenchable, voracious, ravenous
Insightful Having or showing an accurate and deep understanding. perceptive, astute, penetrating
Insinuate To suggest or hint in an indirect way. imply, intimate, allude
Insipid Lacking flavor; lacking vigor or interest. bland, dull, vapid
Intrepid Fearless; adventurous. bold, dauntless, valiant
Inundate To overwhelm or flood. overwhelm, deluge, swamp
Inure To accustom someone to something unpleasant. harden, toughen, desensitize
Irascible Having or showing a tendency to be easily angered. irritable, choleric, testy
Irate Feeling or characterized by great anger. furious, enraged, incensed
Itinerant Travelling from place to place. nomadic, roving, peripatetic
Jettison To throw or drop something from an aircraft or ship; abandon.
discard, dump, ditch
Judicious Having, showing, or done with good judgment. sensible, prudent, wise
Juncture A particular point in events or time. moment, point, phase
Juxtapose To place close together for contrasting effect. pair, compare, contrast
Keen Having or showing eagerness; sharp. eager, avid, sharp
Kinship Blood relationship; a sharing of characteristics. affinity, relationship, alliance
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Kudos Praise and honor for an achievement. acclaim, applause, credit
Labyrinthine Like a labyrinth; irregular and twisting. maze-like, complex, tortuous
Laconic Using very few words. terse, succinct, brief
Lament To mourn; an expression of grief. mourn, bewail, deplore
Languid Displaying a disinclination for physical exertion; slow and relaxed.
listless, lethargic, sluggish
Latent Existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden. dormant, concealed, potential
Laud To praise highly. extol, applaud, commend
Lax Not sufficiently strict or severe. lenient, slack, negligent
Levity Humor or frivolity, often in a serious matter. flippancy, lightness, facetiousness
Lithe Thin, supple, and graceful. flexible, agile, nimble
Loquacious Tending to talk a great deal. garrulous, chatty, voluble
Lucid Expressed clearly; easy to understand. clear, coherent, intelligible
Ludicrous So foolish as to be amusing; ridiculous. absurd, preposterous, farcical
Lugubrious Looking or sounding sad and dismal. mournful, somber, doleful
Magnanimous Generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival. generous, big-hearted, noble
Malevolent Having or showing a wish to do evil to others. malicious, spiteful, hostile
Malleable Easily influenced; pliable. flexible, pliant, tractable
Mandate An official order or commission to do something. directive, order, command
Manifest Clear or obvious to the eye or mind; display or show. evident, apparent, demonstrate
Martinet A strict disciplinarian. taskmaster, drillmaster, authoritarian
Melancholy A feeling of pensive sadness. sadness, sorrow, despondency
Mendacious Not telling the truth; lying. dishonest, deceitful, duplicitous
Meticulous Showing great attention to detail. fastidious, scrupulous, precise
Milieu A person's social environment. environment, setting, context
Misanthrope A person who dislikes humankind. cynic, hater, sourpuss
Mitigate To make less severe or serious. alleviate, ease, moderate
Modicum A small quantity of a particular thing. particle, fragment, dash
Mollify To appease the anger or anxiety of someone. placate, soothe, assuage
Morose Sullen and ill-tempered. sulky, glum, sullen
Munificent More generous than is usual or necessary. lavish, bountiful, liberal
Myriad A countless or extremely great number. multitude, host, plethora
Nebulous In the form of a cloud or haze; unclear. vague, indistinct, amorphous
Nefarious Wicked or criminal. evil, villainous, heinous
Negligible So small as to be not worth considering. trivial, insignificant, minor
Nostalgia A sentimental longing for the past. yearning, homesickness, wistfulness
Notoriety The state of being famous for some bad quality. infamy, disrepute, ill fame
Novel New or unusual in an interesting way. innovative, original, fresh
Nuance A subtle difference in meaning or expression. shade, gradation, subtlety
Nurture To care for and encourage growth or development. foster, cultivate, rear
Obdurate Stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion. stubborn, intransigent, unyielding
Obfuscate To render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible. confuse, cloud, muddy
Oblivious Not aware of or concerned about what is happening. unaware, heedless, insensible
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Obsequious Obedient or attentive to an excessive degree. servile, ingratiating, fawning
Obstinate Stubbornly refusing to change. stubborn, intractable, headstrong
Odious Extremely unpleasant; repulsive. repugnant, detestable, abhorrent
Onerous Involving a great deal of effort and difficulty. burdensome, arduous, taxing
Ostensible Stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so. apparent, seeming, supposed
Ostentatious Characterized by pretentious display; showy. flashy, flamboyant, gaudy
Oust To drive out or expel from a position. expel, evict, dislodge
Overt Done or shown openly; not secret. open, manifest, explicit
Painstaking Done with great care and thoroughness. meticulous, scrupulous, laborious
Palpable So intense as to seem almost tangible. tangible, perceptible, discernible
Panacea A solution or remedy for all difficulties. cure-all, universal remedy, elixir
Paradox A seemingly absurd statement that may be true. contradiction, inconsistency, enigma
Paragon A person regarded as a perfect example of quality. model, epitome, exemplar
Pariah An outcast. outcast, reject, leper
Parsimonious Unwilling to spend money or use resources. stingy, miserly, frugal
Paucity The presence of something in only small or insufficient quantities.
scarcity, dearth, shortage
Pejorative Expressing contempt or disapproval. derogatory, disparaging, deprecatory
Pensive Engaged in deep or serious thought. thoughtful, reflective, contemplative
Penurious Extremely poor; poverty-stricken. destitute, impoverished, miserly
Perfunctory Carried out with minimum effort or reflection. cursory, mechanical, superficial
Perilous Full of danger or risk. hazardous, treacherous, unsafe
Permeate To spread throughout something. saturate, infuse, pervade
Perpetuate To make something continue indefinitely. sustain, maintain, preserve
Pertinent Relevant or applicable to a particular matter. relevant, apposite, germane
Pervasive Spreading widely throughout an area or a group. prevalent, widespread, omnipresent
Plausible Seeming reasonable or probable. credible, believable, tenable
Plethora A large or excessive amount. excess, surfeit, overabundance
Poignant Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret. moving, touching, affecting
Polarize To divide into two sharply contrasting groups. divide, separate, split
Ponder To think about something carefully. contemplate, mull, reflect
Ponderous Slow and clumsy; dull. heavy, labored, cumbersome
Pragmatic Dealing with things sensibly and realistically. practical, hard-nosed, down-to-earth
Precarious Not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall. unstable, insecure, risky
Preclude To prevent from happening; make impossible. prevent, forestall, bar
Precocious Having developed certain abilities earlier than usual. advanced, gifted, talented
Predilection A preference or special liking. penchant, inclination, bias
Prevalent Widespread in a particular area or at a particular time. common, rife, ubiquitous
Proclivity A tendency to choose or do something regularly. inclination, propensity, penchant
Procrastinate To delay or postpone action. dawdle, stall, dilly-dally
Proficient Competent or skilled in doing something. adept, skilled, accomplished
Prolific Present in large numbers; producing much. productive, abundant, fruitful
Prosaic Having the style of prose; lacking imagination. dull, mundane, pedestrian
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Proscribe To forbid, especially by law. forbid, ban, prohibit
Prudent Acting with care and thought for the future. wise, sensible, judicious
Pugnacious Eager or quick to argue or fight. combative, belligerent, truculent
Pulchritude Beauty. comeliness, loveliness, attractiveness
Punctilious Showing great attention to detail or correct behavior. meticulous, scrupulous, exact
Quaint Attractively unusual or old-fashioned. picturesque, charming, whimsical
Quell To put an end to, typically by force. suppress, subdue, repress
Querulous Complaining in a petulant manner. peevish, whining, fretful
Quintessential Representing the most perfect example. typical, classic, archetypal
Quixotic Exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical. romantic, impractical, visionary
Rancor Bitterness or resentfulness. resentment, enmity, spite
Rapport A close and harmonious relationship. affinity, bond, understanding
Rationale A set of reasons or a logical basis for a course of action. reasoning, justification, logic
Rebuff To reject in an abrupt or ungracious manner. snub, spurn, repel
Rebuke To express sharp disapproval or criticism. reprimand, admonish, chide
Recapitulate To summarize and state again the main points. summarize, restate, review
Reclusive Avoiding the company of other people. solitary, isolated, withdrawn
Rectify To put something right; correct. amend, correct, remedy
Redundant Not needed or useful; superfluous. superfluous, surplus, unnecessary
Refute To prove a statement to be wrong. disprove, debunk, confute
Reiterate To say something again or a number of times. repeat, restated, emphasize
Remorse Deep regret or guilt for a wrong committed. contrition, repentance, compunction
Renounce To formally declare one's abandonment of a claim. abdicate, forsake, relinquish
Replete Filled or well-supplied with something. abounding, teeming, brimming
Reprehensible Deserving censure or condemnation. blameworthy, culpable, deplorable
Repress To subdue by force; restrain. suppress, quell, stifle
Rescind To revoke, cancel, or repeal a law or order. revoke, annul, retract
Resolute Admirably purposeful and determined. steadfast, unwavering, tenacious
Respite A short period of rest or relief. reprieve, break, lull
Reticent Not revealing one's thoughts readily. reserved, taciturn, withdrawn
Revere To feel deep respect or admiration for something. venerate, esteem, honor
Rhetoric The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing. oratory, eloquence, discourse
Sagacious Having or showing keen mental discernment. wise, shrewd, astute
Salient Most noticeable or important. notable, striking, prominent
Sardonic Grimly mocking or cynical. caustic, acerbic, scornful
Scrupulous Diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details. meticulous, painstaking, conscientious
Seclude To keep someone away from others. isolate, separate, sequester
Sedentary Tending to spend much time seated; inactive. inactive, stationary, desk-bound
Skeptical Not easily convinced; having doubts. doubtful, dubious, incredulous
Slander The action of making a false spoken statement damaging todefamation,
a person's reputation.
calumny, libel
Solicit To ask for or try to obtain something. request, seek, entreat
Solitary Done or existing alone. alone, lone, secluded
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Somber Dark or dull in tone; gloomy. gloomy, dismal, melancholy
Sonder The realization that each passerby has a life as vivid as one's
awareness,
own. realization, insight
Speculate To form a theory without firm evidence. conjecture, hypothesize, theorize
Spurious Not being what it purports to be; false. bogus, fake, counterfeit
Stagnant Showing no activity; dull and sluggish. static, inactive, inert
Static Lacking in movement, action, or change. unchanging, constant, motionless
Strident Loud and harsh; grating. raucous, jarring, shrill
Stymie To prevent or hinder the progress of. thwart, impede, hamper
Substantiate To provide evidence to support or prove the truth of. validate, corroborate, verify
Succinct Briefly and clearly expressed. concise, terse, pithy
Superfluous Unnecessary, especially through being more than enough. redundant, excess, surplus
Surmise To suppose that something is true without evidence. guess, conjecture, infer
Surreptitious Kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of.stealthy, covert, clandestine
Sycophant A person who acts obsequiously toward someone importantflatterer,
to gain advantage.
toady, yes-man
Symbiotic Mutually beneficial relationship between different people or groups.
mutualistic, cooperative, interdependent
Synonymous Having the same or nearly the same meaning as another word.
equivalent, interchangeable, alike
Tacit Understood or implied without being stated. implicit, unspoken, understood
Taciturn Reserved or uncommunicative in speech. reticent, silent, laconic
Tangible Perceptible by touch; clear and definite. palpable, concrete, real
Tantamount Equivalent in seriousness; virtually the same as. equivalent, equal, commensurate
Tenacious Tending to keep a firm hold; persistent. persistent, dogged, resolute
Tenuous Very weak or slight; thin. flimsy, fragile, insubstantial
Terse Sparing in the use of words. concise, succinct, laconic
Thwart To prevent someone from accomplishing something. foil, frustrate, stymie
Timorous Showing or suffering from nervousness. fearful, faint-hearted, tremulous
Tirade A long, angry speech of criticism or accusation. diatribe, harangue, rant
Trepidation A feeling of fear about something that may happen. apprehension, dread, anxiety
Trite Overused and consequently of little import. banal, hackneyed, clichéd
Trivial Of little value or importance. insignificant, minor, petty
Ubiquitous Present, appearing, or found everywhere. omnipresent, pervasive, widespread
Ubiquity The fact of appearing everywhere. omnipresence, pervasiveness, widespread presenc
Umbrage Offense or annoyance. resentment, displeasure, indignation
Uncanny Strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way. eerie, weird, spooky
Unequivocal Leaving no doubt; unambiguous. clear, unambiguous, explicit
Unfathomable Incapable of being fully explored or understood. incomprehensible, impenetrable, inscrutable
Untenable Not able to be maintained or defended. indefensible, unsustainable, weak
Vacillate To waver in mind, will, or feeling. waver, hesitate, dither
Vapid Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging. dull, insipid, bland
Vehement Showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense. fervent, ardent, impassioned
Venerable Accorded a great deal of respect, especially because of age.revered, esteemed, honored
Veracity Conformity to facts; accuracy; truthfulness. truthfulness, accuracy, honesty
Verbose Using or expressed in more words than needed. wordy, prolix, long-winded
 Word Meaning Synonyms
Verdant Green with grass or other rich vegetation. leafy, lush, green
Vestige A trace of something that is disappearing. remnant, relic, residue
Vex To make someone feel annoyed or worried. irritate, irk, annoy
Viable Capable of working successfully. feasible, workable, practicable
Vicarious Experienced in the imagination through feelings of another person.
secondhand, indirect, substituted
Vindicate To clear someone of blame or suspicion. exonerate, justify, absolve
Virulent Extremely severe or harmful in its effects. poisonous, noxious, malignant
Visceral Relating to deep inward feelings rather than intellect. instinctive, gut, emotional
Vivid Producing powerful feelings or strong, clear images. graphic, evocative, lifelike
Vociferous Vehement or clamorous. boisterous, strident, noisy
Volatile Liable to change rapidly and unpredictably. unpredictable, erratic, capricious
Voracious Wanting or devouring great quantities of food; very eager. insatiable, ravenous, prodigious
Wane To decrease in vigor or extent; become weaker. diminish, ebb, decline
Wary Feeling or showing caution. cautious, circumspect, guarded
Whimsical Playfully quaint or fanciful. capricious, quirky, fanciful
Wistful Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing. yearning, longing, melancholic
Wither To become dry and shriveled; to cause to feel humiliated. shrivel, wilt, fade
Wry Using or expressing dry, mocking humor. sarcastic, sardonic, dry-humored
Zealous Having or showing zeal; passionate. ardent, fervent, enthusiastic
Zenith The time at which something is most powerful or successful.peak, apex, acme
Zephyr A soft gentle breeze. breeze, draft, waft