November Word of the Day

Abrogate (verb)

• Definition: To repeal or do away with (a law, right, or formal agreement).
• Sentence: The new law will abrogate the old regulations, making them null and void.

Abscond (verb)

• Definition: To leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to escape from custody or avoid arrest.
• Sentence: The suspect managed to abscond from the country before the police could catch him.

Admonish (verb)

• Definition: To warn or reprimand someone firmly.
• Sentence: The teacher had to admonish the student for talking during the lecture.

Ameliorate (verb)

• Definition: To make (something bad or unsatisfactory) better.
• Sentence: We hope to ameliorate the difficult living conditions for the city’s homeless population.

Anachronism (noun)

• Definition: A thing belonging or appropriate to a period other than that in which it exists, especially a thing that is conspicuously old-fashioned.
• Sentence: The knight’s cell phone was a glaring anachronism in the historical film.

Apathy (noun)

• Definition: A lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern.
• Sentence: The voters showed widespread apathy toward the local election, leading to a low turnout.

Arduous (adjective)

• Definition: Involving or requiring strenuous effort; difficult and tiring.
• Sentence: Climbing to the summit of the mountain was an arduous task.

Assiduous (adjective)

• Definition: Showing great care, attention, and perseverance.
• Sentence: The student’s assiduous study habits paid off, and he earned a perfect score on the exam.

Avarice (noun)

• Definition: Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
• Sentence: The character’s unchecked avarice led him to betray his closest friends.

Clemency (noun)

• Definition: Mercy; lenience.
• Sentence: The judge granted the defendant clemency and reduced his sentence.

Copious (adjective)

• Definition: Abundant in supply or quantity.
• Sentence: She took copious notes during the lecture to ensure she didn’t miss any important information.

Credulity (noun)

• Definition: A tendency to be too ready to believe that something is real or true; gullibility.
• Sentence: The magician took advantage of the audience’s credulity with his elaborate illusions.

Diffident (adjective)

• Definition: Modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence.
• Sentence: He was a diffident young man who rarely spoke up in class.

Egregious (adjective)

• Definition: Outstandingly bad; shocking.
• Sentence: The politician made several egregious errors in his speech, angering many voters.

Eminent (adjective)

• Definition: (Of a person) famous and respected within a particular sphere or profession.
• Sentence: The conference featured an eminent scholar who was a leading expert in her field.

Facetious (adjective)

• Definition: Treating serious issues with deliberately inappropriate humor; flippant.
• Sentence: The comedian’s facetious remarks about a sensitive topic offended many audience members.

Gregarious (adjective)

• Definition: (Of a person) fond of company; sociable.
• Sentence: The gregarious host made sure every guest felt welcome at the party.

Idyllic (adjective)

• Definition: (Especially of a time or place) extremely happy, peaceful, or picturesque.
• Sentence: They spent their vacation in an idyllic cabin by a serene lake.

Impecunious (adjective)

• Definition: Having little or no money.
• Sentence: The family was impecunious after the father lost his job.

Insidious (adjective)

• Definition: Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
• Sentence: The insidious disease spread slowly through the body before symptoms appeared.

Intrepid (adjective)

• Definition: Fearless; adventurous.
• Sentence: The intrepid explorer set out on a solo journey across the desert.

Languish (verb)

• Definition: To grow weak or feeble; to suffer from being forced to remain in an unpleasant place or situation.
• Sentence: The prisoners were left to languish in the cold, damp cells for years.

Mitigate (verb)

• Definition: To make something less severe, serious, or painful.
• Sentence: They hoped to mitigate the damage caused by the storm by boarding up the windows.

Nascent (adjective)

• Definition: (Especially of a process or organization) just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential.
• Sentence: The nascent art movement was still small, but it showed great promise.

Obdurate (adjective)

• Definition: Stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action.
• Sentence: The obdurate dictator refused to negotiate with the rebels.

Ostentatious (adjective)

• Definition: Characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice.
• Sentence: He drove an ostentatious sports car to show off his wealth.

Perfunctory (adjective)

• Definition: (Of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
• Sentence: The clerk gave a perfunctory nod to the customer as she walked in the store.

Rancorous (adjective)

• Definition: Characterized by bitterness or resentment.
• Sentence: The debate was filled with rancorous accusations from both sides.

Subversive (adjective)

• Definition: Seeking or intended to undermine an established system or institution.
• Sentence: The group was accused of engaging in subversive activities against the government.

Tenacious (adjective)

• Definition: Tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely; not readily letting go of a belief, position, or principle.
• Sentence: The team’s tenacious defense prevented their opponents from scoring a single point.