ASVAB CampASVAB Word Knowledge vocabulary list
These 587 words are the vocabulary tested in this course's Word Knowledge questions, each with a plain meaning in the sense the question uses, similar words and an example sentence.
- 587 words
- Meaning, similar words, example
- Counts toward the AFQT
A
- abate verb
to become less strong or intense
- lessen
- subside
- diminish
Flights resumed once the snowstorm began to abate late in the afternoon.
Practice question- abolish verb
to end a law, rule, or practice completely and officially
- do away with entirely
- eliminate
- scrap
The city council voted to abolish the parking fee at the public library.
Practice question- abrupt adjective
happening suddenly and without any warning
- sudden
- unexpected
- hasty
The bus made an abrupt stop, and several passengers grabbed the rails to keep their balance.
Practice question- abundant adjective
existing in large amounts; more than enough
- plentiful
- ample
- bountiful
Ripe apples were abundant in the orchard, so the family filled three baskets in an hour.
Practice question- accurate adjective
correct in every detail; exactly true or right
- free of errors
- correct
- precise
The navigator's accurate map reading got the convoy to the bridge right on time.
Practice question- acidic adjective
having a sharp, sour taste or chemical quality like vinegar
- sour
- tart
- sharp
The chemist added baking soda to neutralize the acidic solution in the beaker.
Practice question- adamant adjective
refusing to change your mind or give in
- firmly set
- unyielding
- determined
My father was adamant that nobody would drive the car until the brakes were replaced.
Practice question- adaptability noun
the ability to adjust easily to new conditions or changes
- flexibility
- versatility
- adjustability
Soldiers stationed overseas need adaptability to handle new foods, climates, and customs.
Practice question- adaptation noun
a change made so something fits a new use or situation
- modification
- adjustment
- alteration
The movie was an adaptation of a famous novel, with several scenes changed for the screen.
Practice question- adept adjective
very good at doing something because of practice or talent
- skilled
- expert
- proficient
After years in the motor pool, Ramirez is adept at diagnosing engine trouble by sound alone.
Practice question- adequate adjective
good enough or enough in amount for a particular need
- sufficient
- enough
- satisfactory
The cabin had adequate firewood to last through the weekend storm.
Practice question- adjacent adjective
right beside or next to something
- next to
- neighboring
- bordering
Our hotel room was adjacent to the elevator, so we heard it ding all night.
Practice question- adjourned verb
stopped a meeting or session to continue it at a later time
- suspended
- postponed
- recessed
The safety committee adjourned at five and agreed to finish the discussion next week.
Practice question- administer verb
to give or apply a medicine, treatment, or test to someone
- give
- dispense
- apply
The proctor will administer the written exam to all applicants in the main hall.
Practice question- admonished verb
warned or criticized someone firmly for doing something wrong
- scolded
- reprimanded
- rebuked
The foreman admonished the new hire for leaving his safety goggles in the truck.
Practice question- adverse adjective
causing harm or creating difficulty
- harmful
- unfavorable
- damaging
Adverse weather delayed the bridge construction by nearly three weeks.
Practice question- advisory adjective
giving suggestions and guidance but not making final decisions
- consulting
- counseling
A panel of teachers serves on an advisory committee for the school board.
Practice question- advocated verb
publicly spoke in favor of or recommended a plan or idea
- supported
- championed
- backed
The nurse advocated longer rest breaks for staff working double shifts.
Practice question- affable adjective
pleasant, friendly, and easy to talk to
- friendly
- amiable
- approachable
The affable mechanic explained every repair and always asked about our kids.
Practice question- affected verb
had an influence on or caused a change in
- influenced
- changed
- impacted
The long drought affected crop prices across the whole region for two years.
Practice question- ailments noun
health problems or sicknesses, usually minor ones
- illnesses
- sicknesses
- disorders
The ship's medic treated common ailments such as seasickness, sunburn and sore throats.
Practice question- alleviate verb
to make a problem or pain less severe
- ease
- relieve
- reduce
An ice pack helped alleviate the swelling in the mechanic's sprained wrist.
Practice question- allocate verb
to give out or set aside resources or jobs for particular uses
- assign
- distribute
- allot
The city will allocate extra funds to repair potholes before winter.
Practice question- aloof adjective
cool and reserved, keeping apart from others
- distant
- standoffish
- detached
The aloof cat ignored the guests and watched the party from the top of the bookshelf.
Practice question- ambiguous adjective
unclear because it could be understood in more than one way
- open to more than one meaning
- unclear
- vague
The road sign was ambiguous, so half the convoy turned left and half turned right.
Practice question- amiable adjective
pleasant, friendly, and easy to like
- friendly
- good-natured
- genial
Our amiable mail carrier always stops to chat about the weather and the local team.
Practice question- amorphous adjective
without a clear shape, form, or structure
- lacking a definite shape
- shapeless
- vague
An amorphous cloud of smoke drifted over the field after the controlled burn.
Practice question- ample adjective
enough or more than enough for what is needed
- plentiful
- sufficient
- abundant
The new apartment has ample closet space for all our winter coats.
Practice question- analytical adjective
breaking a problem into parts and examining each one logically
- methodical
- logical
- systematic
Her analytical approach to budgeting showed exactly where the household money was going each month.
Practice question- analyze verb
to study something closely, part by part, to understand it
- examine
- study
- inspect
The chemist will analyze the water samples to find out what is making people sick.
Practice question- anteroom noun
a small outer room through which people pass to reach a main room
- small room leading into a larger one
- waiting room
- lobby
Patients wait in the anteroom while the dentist finishes preparing the exam room.
Practice question- antiseptic adjective
able to kill germs and prevent infection
- germ-killing
- disinfecting
- sterilizing
The dentist rinsed my mouth with an antiseptic solution before the procedure.
Practice question- apathy noun
a lack of interest, care, or enthusiasm
- lack of interest
- indifference
- unconcern
Employee apathy grew after months of overtime, and few people showed up to the safety meeting.
Practice question- appreciated verb
grew in worth or price over time
- increased in value
- gained value
- rose
The rare coins in my grandfather's collection appreciated steadily while they sat in a drawer for decades.
Practice question- apprenticeship noun
a period of learning a trade by working under a skilled worker
- period of training
- traineeship
- internship
He completed a four-year apprenticeship before earning his license as a plumber.
Practice question- aquatic adjective
living or growing in or near water
- living in water
- water-dwelling
- water-based
The pet store sells aquatic plants that help keep fish tanks clean.
Practice question- archivist noun
a person whose job is to collect, organize, and protect historical records
- record keeper
- curator
- keeper of records
The museum archivist found a stack of letters written by soldiers during the Civil War.
Practice question- arduous adjective
requiring great effort and endurance, very hard and tiring
- exhausting
- grueling
- strenuous
Hauling supplies up the steep trail to the ranger station was an arduous all-day job.
Practice question- arid adjective
having very little rain or moisture; extremely dry
- dry
- parched
- desert-like
Only cactus and tough shrubs grow in the arid valley east of the mountains.
Practice question- armament noun
the guns, missiles, and other weapons carried by a military force or vehicle
- weapons
- arms
- weaponry
The destroyer's armament included deck guns, torpedo tubes and guided missiles.
Practice question- arrogant adjective
acting as if you are better or more important than others
- conceited
- haughty
- cocky
The arrogant pilot ignored the checklist, insisting he had flown the route a hundred times.
Practice question- articulate adjective
able to put thoughts into clear, well-chosen words
- able to express ideas clearly
- eloquent
- well-spoken
The articulate pilot calmly explained the delay so every passenger understood what was happening.
Practice question- artisan noun
a skilled worker who makes things by hand with traditional methods
- craftsperson
- craftsman
- maker
A local artisan carved the oak front door for their new home, finishing every panel by hand.
Practice question- asserted verb
stated something firmly and confidently as true
- declared
- claimed
- maintained
The pilot asserted that the engine warning light had come on before takeoff.
Practice question- astute adjective
quick to notice and understand things, especially to gain an advantage
- perceptive
- shrewd
- sharp
An astute traveler checked the train schedule twice and caught the error in the printed timetable.
Practice question- attain verb
to succeed in reaching a goal or level, usually after effort
- reach
- achieve
- accomplish
It took the electrician four years of training to attain the rank of master.
Practice question- audacious adjective
willing to take daring risks, sometimes to the point of rudeness
- bold
- daring
- brazen
The pilot made an audacious landing on a short gravel strip in the middle of a storm.
Practice question- audible adjective
loud or clear enough for people to hear
- able to be heard
- hearable
- perceptible
The engine's faint knock was audible only when the mechanic put his ear close to it.
Practice question- augment verb
to make something larger or greater by adding to it
- increase
- add to
- boost
The lab ordered extra microscopes to augment its equipment for the new semester.
Practice question- austere adjective
very simple and plain, with no comfort or decoration
- severely plain
- stark
- spartan
The field barracks were austere, with metal cots, a single bulb, and concrete floors.
Practice question- authentic adjective
real and truly what it claims to be, not a copy or fake
- genuine
- real
- original
The jeweler confirmed that the old ring was authentic gold, not a cheap imitation.
Practice question- autonomy noun
the freedom to make your own decisions and act on your own
- independence
- self-rule
- freedom
The research team was given full autonomy to choose which experiments to run.
Practice question
B
- balance noun
a fair middle point between two competing needs or goals
- middle ground
- compromise
- equilibrium
Working parents often try to strike a balance between long shifts and time at home.
Practice question- bank noun
the sloping land along the edge of a river or lake
- shore
- edge
- riverside
We pitched our tents on the grassy bank just above the waterline.
Practice question- bear verb
to put up with or endure something unpleasant
- tolerate
- endure
- stand
Some recruits could hardly bear the desert heat during their first week of training.
Practice question- benediction noun
a short prayer asking for divine favor, often at the end of a service
- blessing
- prayer
- invocation
The pastor offered a benediction for the fishing fleet before the boats left the harbor.
Practice question- benevolent adjective
kind, generous, and wanting to help others
- kind
- charitable
- generous
A benevolent neighbor paid for the repairs after the storm wrecked our fence.
Practice question- biennial adjective
happening once every two years
- every two years
- two-yearly
Our base hosts a biennial family reunion day, so the next one is not until two summers from now.
Practice question- bilingual adjective
able to speak or use two languages well
- using two languages
- two-language
- fluent in two languages
The airport posts bilingual signs in English and French at every gate.
Practice question- biography noun
a written story of someone's life, told by another person
- written account of a person's life
- life story
- profile
On the long flight home, she read a biography of a famous bridge engineer.
Practice question- blatant adjective
done openly and impossible to miss, usually something wrong
- obvious
- flagrant
- glaring
Parking in the fire lane was a blatant violation, and the officer wrote a ticket immediately.
Practice question- bleak adjective
gloomy and without hope or cheer
- dismal
- grim
- hopeless
With the factory closing, the job outlook in the small town seemed bleak.
Practice question- blunt adjective
saying something plainly and directly, without softening it
- plainly direct
- frank
- straightforward
The drill sergeant gave a blunt assessment: the platoon's rifle scores were the worst on the base.
Practice question- board noun
daily meals provided as part of a stay or job
- meals
- food
- meal plan
The training camp covers room and board for all new recruits.
Practice question- boisterous adjective
loud, rowdy, and full of energy
- noisy and lively
- rowdy
- rambunctious
The boisterous family reunion in the backyard kept the neighbors awake until midnight.
Practice question- bolster verb
to support or strengthen something
- boost
- reinforce
- shore up
The coach praised every player after practice to bolster their confidence before the playoffs.
Practice question- boredom noun
the dull, restless feeling of having nothing interesting to do
- tedium
- dullness
- monotony
On the twelve-hour train ride, the kids battled boredom with card games and puzzles.
Practice question- breakable adjective
easily damaged or shattered if dropped or hit
- fragile
- delicate
- brittle
Wrap the breakable dishes in newspaper before packing them in the moving truck.
Practice question- brief verb
to give someone the key facts or instructions they need
- inform
- update
- fill in
The site manager will brief the new electricians on the wiring plan before they start work.
Practice question- brisk adjective
quick and full of energy
- quick
- lively
- rapid
Business at the hardware store was brisk the morning before the big snowstorm arrived.
Practice question- brittle adjective
hard but fragile, so it snaps or breaks apart under stress
- easily cracked
- fragile
- breakable
The old rubber seal on the shed door was so brittle that it crumbled in my hand.
Practice question- brownish adjective
having a color somewhat like soil or coffee
- somewhat brown
- tan
- rust-tinged
The old map had turned brownish at the edges after years in the attic.
Practice question- brusque adjective
short and blunt in speech or manner, often seeming a bit rude
- abrupt and curt
- blunt
- gruff
The dispatcher's brusque replies over the radio kept the channel clear during the busy rescue.
Practice question
C
- calculating adjective
planning carefully and selfishly to get what you want
- scheming
- cunning
- manipulative
The calculating employee flattered the boss only to win the corner office.
Practice question- calibrate verb
to set or adjust an instrument so its readings are accurate
- adjust
- tune
- standardize
The technician must calibrate the thermometer before the lab starts its experiments.
Practice question- callous adjective
showing no concern or sympathy for other people's pain
- unfeeling
- heartless
- cold
The manager's callous reply to the injured worker shocked everyone in the warehouse.
Practice question- candid adjective
honest and direct in what one says, even if it is uncomfortable
- frank
- open
- straightforward
My supervisor gave me a candid review that pointed out exactly where I needed to improve.
Practice question- cantankerous adjective
grouchy and quick to argue or complain about everything
- bad-tempered
- grumpy
- quarrelsome
Our cantankerous landlord complained about the noise even when we were whispering in the kitchen.
Practice question- capital noun
money or wealth used to start or grow a business
- investment funds
- funding
- assets
The two mechanics saved for years to raise enough capital to open their own garage.
Practice question- cautious adjective
taking care to avoid risks or danger
- careful
- wary
- prudent
The electrician was cautious around the old wiring, testing each line before touching it.
Practice question- channels noun
the official routes or procedures that requests must pass through
- official routes
- proper procedures
- chain of command
Leave requests must go through the usual channels, starting with your squad leader.
Practice question- charge noun
an amount of money asked for a service or item
- fee
- cost
- price
The hotel added a small charge for using the gym after ten at night.
Practice question- charged verb
given a duty or responsibility to carry out
- given the duty
- tasked
- entrusted
The corporal was charged with keeping the supply room locked and inventoried.
Practice question- check verb
to stop or slow the progress of something
- halt
- curb
- restrain
Doctors gave the patient strong antibiotics to check the spread of the infection.
Practice question- childish adjective
silly or immature in a way that suits a young kid, not an adult
- immature
- juvenile
- babyish
Slamming the door after losing the card game was a childish reaction.
Practice question- chronicle noun
a written account of events listed in the order they happened
- record of events in time order
- history
- log
My grandmother kept a chronicle of every family road trip in a stack of notebooks.
Practice question- chronological adjective
arranged in the order in which events happened
- arranged in time order
- sequential
- time-ordered
The maintenance log lists every repair in chronological order, starting with the oldest.
Practice question- circumspect adjective
careful to think about risks and consequences before acting
- cautious
- wary
- prudent
A circumspect traveler, he kept copies of his passport in two different bags.
Practice question- circumvent verb
to avoid a rule or obstacle by finding a way around it
- get around
- evade
- bypass
Some travelers try to circumvent baggage fees by wearing several layers of clothing.
Practice question- clandestine adjective
done in secret, often because it is not allowed
- secret
- covert
- hidden
The smugglers used clandestine routes through the mountains to avoid border patrols.
Practice question- clarity noun
the quality of being easy to see or understand
- clearness
- plainness
- precision
The new camera's lens gives remarkable clarity, even in dim light.
Practice question- cluttered adjective
filled with too many things in an untidy way
- messy
- disorganized
- crowded
His cluttered garage was so full of boxes that he could not fit the car inside.
Practice question- coauthor verb
to write a document or book together with someone else
- write jointly
- cowrite
- collaborate on
Two nurses agreed to coauthor a guide on caring for patients after heart surgery.
Practice question- coexist verb
to live or exist together peacefully in the same place or time
- live side by side
- get along
Our cat and the new puppy learned to coexist after a few tense weeks.
Practice question- cogent adjective
clear, logical, and persuasive
- convincing
- compelling
- sound
The scientist offered cogent evidence that the river pollution came from the old mine.
Practice question- coherent adjective
organized logically so the parts fit together and make sense
- logical and clear
- orderly
- consistent
After a night of rest, the injured soldier gave a coherent account of the accident.
Practice question- collision noun
an event in which two things hit each other hard, at least one of them moving
- crash
- impact
- smashup
The two forklifts had a minor collision in the narrow warehouse aisle.
Practice question- command noun
a strong skill or deep knowledge of a subject
- mastery
- grasp
- expertise
Her command of advanced math made her the obvious choice to tutor the engineering students.
Practice question- commended verb
spoke well of someone publicly for doing something good
- praised
- applauded
- honored
The fire chief commended the young firefighter for pulling two children from the burning apartment.
Practice question- comparable adjective
close enough in amount or quality to be considered alike
- roughly similar
- equivalent
- matching
The two apartments had comparable rent, so we chose the one closer to the base.
Practice question- compelled verb
forced or pushed someone to do something
- forced
- obliged
- required
A flat tire compelled the travelers to spend the night in a small roadside motel.
Practice question- competent adjective
having enough skill and knowledge to do a job well
- capable
- skilled
- qualified
We hired a competent plumber who fixed the leak quickly and cleaned up afterward.
Practice question- competitive adjective
having a strong desire to win or be the best
- eager to win
- ambitious
- driven
My competitive little sister insists on keeping score even when we play cards for fun.
Practice question- compile verb
to collect information or items from different sources and put them together
- assemble
- gather
- collect
The researcher will compile the survey results into a single report for the board.
Practice question- complacent adjective
too satisfied with yourself to notice dangers or problems
- smugly unconcerned
- self-satisfied
- careless
The complacent guards stopped checking badges, and a stranger walked right into the depot.
Practice question- comply verb
to act according to a rule, order, or request
- obey
- follow
- conform
Every contractor on the job must comply with the fire safety code before starting work.
Practice question- composed adjective
calm and in control of your feelings
- calm
- collected
- poised
Even as the flood waters rose, the dispatcher stayed composed and directed rescue boats.
Practice question- compounded verb
made a bad situation even worse by adding to it
- worsened
- aggravated
- intensified
Heavy rain compounded the delays caused by the broken crane at the construction site.
Practice question- comprehensive adjective
covering every part or detail of a subject, leaving nothing out
- thorough
- complete
- all-inclusive
Before deployment, each soldier received a comprehensive medical exam, from eyesight and hearing to blood work.
Practice question- compulsory adjective
required by a rule or law; not optional
- required
- mandatory
- obligatory
Attending the safety briefing is compulsory for every sailor before the ship leaves port.
Practice question- conceded verb
admitted defeat or accepted that one had lost
- admitted losing
- yielded
- surrendered
Down to his last two pieces, the chess club captain conceded the match and shook hands with the winner.
Practice question- concerted adjective
planned and carried out together by several people working as one
- joint
- combined
- coordinated
Through a concerted effort, the neighbors cleared the fallen trees from the road by noon.
Practice question- concise adjective
short and to the point without extra words
- brief and clear
- succinct
- compact
The lab manual gives concise steps, so students can set up the experiment quickly.
Practice question- concluded verb
came to a finish or close
- ended
- finished
- wrapped up
The concert concluded with fireworks, and the crowd slowly walked back to their cars.
Practice question- conclusive adjective
settling a question so there is no more doubt
- decisive
- definite
- convincing
The DNA test gave conclusive proof that the bones belonged to the missing explorer.
Practice question- concur verb
to have the same opinion as someone else
- agree
- see eye to eye
- assent
The two doctors concur that the patient needs surgery as soon as possible.
Practice question- concurred verb
shared the same opinion or judgment
- agreed
- accepted
- assented
The two doctors concurred that the patient needed surgery right away.
Practice question- condescending adjective
acting as if others are less smart or important than you
- patronizing
- superior
- talking down
The tour guide's condescending remarks made the travelers feel like small children on a field trip.
Practice question- conduct verb
to carry out or perform an activity or task
- perform
- carry out
- do
The safety team will conduct a surprise inspection of the welding shop on Monday.
Practice question- conducts verb
allows heat, electricity, or sound to pass through it
- transmits
- carries
- channels
Aluminum conducts heat quickly, which is why it is used for cooking pans.
Practice question- conscientious adjective
careful to do work well and fulfill your responsibilities
- dutiful
- diligent
- responsible
A conscientious nurse double-checked every dosage before giving medicine to her patients.
Practice question- conservative adjective
careful and moderate, choosing low figures or safe options to avoid risk
- cautious
- careful
- moderate
The contractor gave a conservative estimate, assuming the drywall job would take two extra days.
Practice question- conspicuous adjective
standing out so that it is easy to notice
- easily noticed
- obvious
- prominent
Road workers wear conspicuous orange vests so drivers can spot them from far away.
Practice question- contaminated adjective
made dirty or unsafe by mixing with something harmful
- polluted
- tainted
- infected
The lab threw out the contaminated samples and started the test over with fresh cultures.
Practice question- content adjective
pleased and satisfied with things as they are
- satisfied
- pleased
- at ease
After a long hike, the campers were content with simple beans and bread for dinner.
Practice question- continual adjective
happening again and again with short breaks between
- frequently repeated
- recurring
- repeated
The continual beeping of the smoke alarm's low battery kept us awake all night.
Practice question- continuity noun
an unbroken, consistent link from one part or time to the next
- consistent connection
- consistency
- flow
The outgoing commander briefed her replacement in detail to ensure continuity in the unit's operations.
Practice question- continuous adjective
going on without any pause or break
- unbroken
- nonstop
- constant
The factory runs a continuous production line that operates twenty-four hours a day.
Practice question- convene verb
to come together or call people together for a meeting
- assemble
- gather
- meet
The union leaders will convene on Friday to discuss the new contract offer.
Practice question- convey verb
to pass along a message, feeling, or idea to someone
- communicate
- express
- relay
The radio operator had to convey the captain's orders to every squad in the field.
Practice question- cordial adjective
warm and polite in a friendly way
- friendly
- gracious
- warm
The new neighbors sent a cordial note inviting us over for a backyard barbecue.
Practice question- corrective adjective
meant to repair a fault or set something right
- intended to fix a problem
- remedial
- fixing
The doctor recommended corrective lenses after the eye exam showed blurry distance vision.
Practice question- counteract verb
to act against something to reduce or cancel its effect
- offset
- neutralize
- balance
The farmer added lime to the soil to counteract its high acidity.
Practice question- counterproductive adjective
having the opposite effect of what was intended
- defeating its own purpose
- self-defeating
- harmful
Yelling at a frightened dog is counterproductive, because it only makes the animal more anxious.
Practice question- courageous adjective
willing to face danger or pain without giving in to fear
- brave
- bold
- fearless
The courageous firefighter climbed the ladder to rescue a child from the third floor.
Practice question- courteous adjective
polite, respectful, and considerate toward other people
- polite
- respectful
- gracious
The courteous bus driver waited for the elderly passenger to sit down before pulling away.
Practice question- creative adjective
able to come up with new and original ideas
- imaginative
- artistic
- original
The baker came up with a creative cake shaped like a battleship for the sailor's party.
Practice question- credible adjective
able to be believed or trusted
- believable
- plausible
- reliable
The scientist's findings were credible because other labs got the same results.
Practice question- credulous adjective
too ready to believe what others say, easily fooled
- overly trusting
- gullible
- naive
The credulous tourist paid a stranger twenty dollars for a fake museum ticket.
Practice question- crude adjective
made in a simple, rough way without much skill or care
- roughly made
- rough
- makeshift
The scouts carved a crude spoon from a branch when they forgot their utensils.
Practice question- cumbersome adjective
large, heavy, or awkward, and therefore hard to use or carry
- bulky and clumsy
- unwieldy
- awkward
The old radio set was so cumbersome that two soldiers had to carry it.
Practice question- current adjective
belonging to or happening at the present time
- present
- existing
- up-to-date
Check that your current address is on file before the base housing office mails your keys.
Practice question- cursory adjective
done quickly and without attention to detail
- hasty and shallow
- superficial
- quick
A cursory look at the tires seemed fine, but a closer check revealed a nail in the tread.
Practice question- curtail verb
to cut short or reduce the amount of something
- reduce
- cut back
- limit
The drought forced the town to curtail lawn watering to two days a week.
Practice question- cyclist noun
a person who rides a bicycle
- bicycle rider
- biker
- rider
The delivery driver slowed down to give the cyclist plenty of room on the narrow road.
Practice question- cynical adjective
believing that people act mainly out of selfishness
- distrustful of motives
- suspicious
- skeptical
Years of broken promises made the voters cynical about every new campaign pledge.
Practice question
D
- dearth noun
a lack or too small an amount of something needed
- shortage
- scarcity
- lack
A dearth of rain this spring left the farmers worried about their corn crop.
Practice question- deceitful adjective
willing to lie or trick others
- dishonest
- deceptive
- sneaky
The deceitful contractor took the deposit and never returned to finish the roof.
Practice question- decentralize verb
to move power or decisions away from one main center to several groups
- spread out control
- delegate
- disperse
The company chose to decentralize hiring so each store manager could pick their own staff.
Practice question- decisive adjective
able to make choices quickly and firmly
- resolute
- firm
- determined
A decisive pilot quickly chose to land at the nearest airport when the engine light came on.
Practice question- deduced verb
figured out or concluded by reasoning from the available facts
- concluded by reasoning
- inferred
- worked out
The electrician deduced that a loose wire, not the breaker, was causing the flickering lights.
Practice question- deescalate verb
to lower the intensity of a tense or dangerous situation
- calm down
- defuse
- ease
Police officers are trained to deescalate tense standoffs by speaking slowly and calmly.
Practice question- defective adjective
having a flaw that keeps it from working properly
- faulty
- broken
- flawed
The electrician found a defective switch that kept tripping the breaker in the kitchen.
Practice question- deft adjective
quick and skillful with the hands or in action
- skillful
- nimble
- adroit
With deft fingers, the seamstress repaired the torn uniform in under five minutes.
Practice question- dehydrated adjective
having lost too much water from the body or a substance
- dried out
- parched
- thirsty
The campers packed dehydrated meals that only needed boiling water to be ready.
Practice question- deliberate adjective
thought through slowly and carefully before acting
- carefully considered
- intentional
- calculated
The engineer took deliberate steps to test each weld before approving the bridge for traffic.
Practice question- deliberation noun
long, careful thought or talk before reaching a decision
- careful discussion
- consideration
- debate
After much deliberation, the couple decided to buy the smaller house near the school.
Practice question- deliverables noun
specific finished items or results promised under an agreement
- promised work products
- outputs
- results
The software team listed its deliverables for the quarter: a mobile app, a manual, and training videos.
Practice question- demonstrated verb
proved something by showing it clearly in action
- showed with proof
- proved
- displayed
The chemist demonstrated the reaction by mixing the two liquids in front of the class.
Practice question- denounced verb
criticized strongly and openly as wrong or evil
- condemned
- attacked
- criticized
The union leader denounced the unsafe working conditions in a speech outside the factory gates.
Practice question- depart verb
to go away from a place, especially to begin a trip
- leave
- set out
- exit
Our train will depart from platform four at exactly noon.
Practice question- dependable adjective
able to be trusted to do what is needed, every time
- reliable
- trustworthy
- steady
My dependable old pickup has started on cold winter mornings for fifteen years straight.
Practice question- dependence noun
the state of needing someone or something for support
- reliance
- need
- attachment
The town's dependence on a single factory hurt badly when the plant shut down.
Practice question- depleted adjective
reduced so much that little or nothing is left
- used up
- exhausted
- drained
With the generator's fuel nearly depleted, the cabin crew switched off every light they could spare.
Practice question- depreciate verb
to drop in worth or price over time
- lose value
- decline
- cheapen
Laptops depreciate quickly because newer, faster models come out every year.
Practice question- depression noun
a sunken area or hollow in a surface
- hollow
- dip
- pit
The truck tire left a deep depression in the soft soil of the field.
Practice question- derisive adjective
showing scorn or making fun of someone
- mocking
- scornful
- jeering
The scientist ignored the derisive laughter from critics and kept testing her new theory.
Practice question- destructive adjective
causing a lot of damage or harm
- damaging
- harmful
- ruinous
Termites can be very destructive, eating through the wooden frame of a house.
Practice question- detached adjective
calm and not emotionally involved in a situation
- emotionally uninvolved
- objective
- impersonal
The detached tone of the dispatcher helped keep the frightened caller calm during the fire.
Practice question- deter verb
to discourage someone from doing something, often through fear
- discourage
- prevent
- stop
A barking dog in the yard helps deter burglars from approaching the house.
Practice question- deteriorate verb
to become worse in condition or quality over time
- worsen
- decay
- decline
If the roof leak is not fixed, the ceiling beams will deteriorate and need replacing.
Practice question- devastated verb
destroyed completely, causing severe and widespread damage
- utterly ruined
- wrecked
- demolished
The hailstorm devastated the farmer's corn crop, flattening every stalk in the field.
Practice question- diffident adjective
lacking self-confidence and hesitant to speak up or stand out
- shy
- timid
- self-doubting
The diffident new intern rarely asked questions, though her written work was excellent.
Practice question- dilapidated adjective
falling apart because of age, damage, or lack of care
- run-down
- decrepit
- shabby
The crew spent the summer restoring a dilapidated lighthouse on the rocky coast.
Practice question- diligent adjective
working hard and carefully, with steady effort and attention to detail
- hardworking
- industrious
- conscientious
The diligent mechanic checked every bolt on the truck twice before signing off on the repair.
Practice question- dilute verb
to make a liquid weaker by adding water or another fluid
- water down
- thin
- weaken
Always dilute the cleaning concentrate with water before mopping the barracks floor.
Practice question- discern verb
to see or notice something with effort
- make out
- detect
- perceive
Through the dusty windshield, the driver could hardly discern the road signs ahead.
Practice question- disconnected verb
separated one thing from another, breaking the link between them
- detached
- unplugged
- separated
Before cleaning the blender, she disconnected it from the wall outlet.
Practice question- discreet adjective
careful about what one says or does so as not to embarrass or reveal secrets
- tactful
- careful
- prudent
The hotel staff were discreet and never mentioned which celebrities were staying upstairs.
Practice question- disdainful adjective
showing that you think something is unworthy or beneath you
- scornful
- contemptuous
- sneering
The chef gave a disdainful look at the frozen vegetables the supplier had delivered.
Practice question- disinterested adjective
not favoring any side because of no personal stake
- impartial
- neutral
- unbiased
The two neighbors asked a disinterested surveyor to settle where the fence line should go.
Practice question- disloyal adjective
not faithful to a person, group, or cause one should support
- unfaithful
- treacherous
- false
Selling company secrets to a competitor was a disloyal act that cost him his job.
Practice question- dismissed verb
told someone they may leave; sent people away
- sent away
- released
- let go
After the final inspection, the platoon sergeant dismissed the troops for the weekend.
Practice question- distinctive adjective
special in a way that makes something easy to recognize
- characteristic
- unique
- recognizable
The old diesel truck had a distinctive rattle that let us know when Dad was home.
Practice question- distinctly adverb
in a way that is clear and easy to notice
- clearly
- plainly
- unmistakably
I distinctly remember locking the front door before we left for the airport.
Practice question- distinguished adjective
widely respected and honored for achievement
- eminent
- renowned
- celebrated
A distinguished surgeon visited the hospital to teach residents a new heart procedure.
Practice question- divulge verb
to tell information that was meant to stay private
- reveal
- disclose
- let slip
The soldier would not divulge the unit's travel route, even to his own family.
Practice question- docile adjective
calm and easy to control or teach
- easily led
- obedient
- tame
The docile sheepdog let the toddlers climb all over him without a single growl.
Practice question- docked verb
had an amount taken away from it as a penalty
- reduced
- cut
- deducted
The team was docked two points for turning in its project a day late.
Practice question- dogmatic adjective
insisting your beliefs are right and refusing to consider other views
- rigidly opinionated
- inflexible
- closed-minded
The dogmatic coach would not try any new plays, even after five losses in a row.
Practice question- dormant adjective
temporarily not active or growing, but able to become active later
- inactive
- sleeping
- inert
The seeds stay dormant in the cold soil until the spring rains arrive.
Practice question- draft noun
an early, unfinished version of a piece of writing or plan
- rough version
- first try
- sketch
The architect sent a draft of the floor plan so the family could suggest changes.
Practice question- dress verb
to clean and cover an injury with a bandage or protective pad
- bandage
- bind
- treat
At the campsite, Dad showed us how to dress a cut using gauze and tape from the first-aid kit.
Practice question- drill noun
a practice exercise that trains people in what to do
- practice exercise
- exercise
- rehearsal
The flight crew ran an emergency landing drill before the new season began.
Practice question- dubious adjective
feeling unsure or suspicious that something is true
- doubtful
- skeptical
- unsure
Mom was dubious when my brother said he had finished all his homework in ten minutes.
Practice question- dwelling noun
a place where a person or family lives, such as a house
- home
- residence
- house
The census worker visited every dwelling on the island, from cabins to apartment blocks.
Practice question
E
- eagerness noun
strong interest and readiness to do something
- enthusiasm
- keenness
- zeal
The children's eagerness to open their presents woke the whole house at dawn.
Practice question- economic adjective
relating to money, jobs, trade, and wealth
- financial
- commercial
- business-related
The new highway brought economic growth to the small town, with new stores and jobs.
Practice question- economical adjective
saving money by costing little or using resources carefully
- inexpensive
- thrifty
- cost-effective
A small hatchback is an economical choice for long daily commutes.
Practice question- ecstatic adjective
extremely happy and excited
- overjoyed
- thrilled
- elated
The farmer was ecstatic when the long drought finally ended with a soaking rain.
Practice question- effect verb
to cause something to happen or bring it into being
- bring about
- cause
- produce
The new mayor promised to effect real improvements in the city's public transit system.
Practice question- effective adjective
producing the result that was wanted
- successful
- productive
- useful
The new cough medicine was effective, and I slept through the night.
Practice question- effusive adjective
overflowing with praise or emotion, often more than needed
- gushing
- lavish
- overflowing
The chef was embarrassed by the critic's effusive review, which called his soup a miracle.
Practice question- elastic adjective
able to stretch or adjust and then return to normal
- flexible
- adjustable
- stretchy
The travel company offers an elastic booking policy, letting customers change dates without fees.
Practice question- elated adjective
extremely happy and excited, usually because of good news or success
- overjoyed
- thrilled
- ecstatic
She was elated when the letter arrived saying she had been accepted to flight school.
Practice question- elderly adjective
old, past middle age
- aged
- older
- senior
The volunteers deliver hot meals to elderly residents who cannot easily leave home.
Practice question- elicit verb
to bring out a response, answer, or reaction from someone
- draw out
- evoke
- extract
The teacher's joke failed to elicit even a smile from the tired students.
Practice question- eloquent adjective
able to speak or write in a clear, moving, and convincing way
- fluent and persuasive
- articulate
- expressive
The chaplain gave an eloquent tribute that left many of the sailors in tears.
Practice question- elusive adjective
difficult to find, catch, or explain
- hard to pin down
- slippery
- evasive
The source of the leak in the ship's hull proved elusive for the entire voyage.
Practice question- empathy noun
the ability to understand and share another person's feelings
- understanding of feelings
- compassion
- sympathy
The nurse's empathy helped the nervous patient feel calm before surgery.
Practice question- encased verb
completely covered or closed inside a protective layer
- enclosed
- wrapped
- sealed
The ancient insect was encased in a drop of amber that the scientist held up to the light.
Practice question- encouragement noun
words or actions that give someone confidence and hope to keep going
- support
- backing
- inspiration
With encouragement from her coworkers, Dana signed up for the welding certification exam.
Practice question- enervate verb
to drain someone's energy or strength, leaving them tired and weak
- weaken
- exhaust
- sap
Weeks of night shifts began to enervate the nurses, so the hospital hired extra staff.
Practice question- enforce verb
to make sure rules or laws are followed
- make people obey
- apply
- uphold
The lifeguards enforce the no-running rule around the pool to prevent slips and injuries.
Practice question- enforceable adjective
able to be backed up and carried out by law or authority
- able to be legally upheld
- binding
- valid
A lease must be signed by both parties to be enforceable if a dispute arises.
Practice question- entertain verb
to think about or be willing to look at an idea or offer
- consider
- weigh
- think over
The colonel would not entertain any request for leave until the inspection was complete.
Practice question- entrenched adjective
fixed so firmly in place that it is very hard to change
- firmly fixed
- deep-rooted
- ingrained
Old habits were so entrenched at the shop that the new tracking software took a year to catch on.
Practice question- equanimity noun
calm, steady composure, especially under stress
- calmness
- composure
- poise
The flight attendant answered the angry passenger with equanimity and never raised her voice.
Practice question- equidistant adjective
at the same distance from two or more points
- equally far from
- halfway
- centered
We picked a diner equidistant from both our houses so neither of us drove far.
Practice question- eradicate verb
to destroy something completely so it no longer exists
- wipe out
- eliminate
- stamp out
The farmer used crop rotation to eradicate the pests that had ruined last year's harvest.
Practice question- eroded verb
slowly wore away by wind, water, or other forces
- worn away
- weathered
- eaten away
Spring floods eroded the riverbank until the old fence posts toppled into the water.
Practice question- erratic adjective
changing often without any regular pattern
- unpredictable
- irregular
- inconsistent
The truck's erratic steering made the driver pull over and check the tires.
Practice question- erupted verb
broke out suddenly and forcefully, like noise or anger bursting forth
- burst out
- exploded
- broke out
Laughter erupted in the break room when the forklift driver told his story about the stuck pallet.
Practice question- escort verb
to go along with someone to guide or protect them
- accompany
- guide
- conduct
A nurse will escort each patient from the waiting room to the X-ray lab.
Practice question- evacuate verb
to leave a dangerous place quickly for safety
- leave
- clear out
- vacate
When the fire alarm sounded, all workers had to evacuate the warehouse and gather in the parking lot.
Practice question- evasive adjective
dodging questions or avoiding giving a clear, direct reply
- avoiding direct answers
- vague
- dodging
When asked about the missing tools, the contractor gave an evasive answer about a busy week.
Practice question- evident adjective
easy to see or understand
- obvious
- clear
- plain
It was evident from the empty fuel gauge that the generator had run all night.
Practice question- exacerbate verb
to make a problem, illness, or bad situation even worse
- worsen
- aggravate
- intensify
Scratching the rash will only exacerbate the itching, the nurse warned.
Practice question- exacting adjective
requiring great care, precision, and effort to satisfy
- demanding
- strict
- rigorous
The lab has exacting standards, and every sample must be measured to the thousandth of a gram.
Practice question- excluded verb
kept from entering or taking part in something
- kept out
- barred
- left out
Pets are excluded from the hotel's pool area for health reasons.
Practice question- exhale verb
to push air out of the lungs
- breathe out
- expire
- blow out
The diver learned to exhale slowly while rising toward the surface.
Practice question- exhaustion noun
a state of being extremely tired and drained of energy
- extreme tiredness
- fatigue
- weariness
The marathon runner collapsed from exhaustion just a few yards past the finish line.
Practice question- exhaustive adjective
covering every detail or possibility completely
- thorough
- complete
- comprehensive
Before the move, we made an exhaustive list of every box and item in the house.
Practice question- exorbitant adjective
far more than is fair or reasonable, usually describing a price
- excessively high
- outrageous
- inflated
The hotel near the airport charged an exorbitant rate, so the traveler slept in a cheaper motel downtown.
Practice question- expansion noun
the act of growing larger in size or scope
- enlargement
- growth
- extension
The hospital's expansion will add a new emergency wing and fifty more beds.
Practice question- expansive adjective
friendly, open, and talkative in a relaxed way
- open and talkative
- outgoing
- sociable
After a good meal, Grandpa grew expansive and told us stories about his navy days.
Practice question- expedite verb
to make a process happen faster
- speed up
- hasten
- accelerate
The clerk offered to expedite my passport application because my trip was in two weeks.
Practice question- explanatory adjective
meant to make something clear or easier to understand
- clarifying
- descriptive
- illustrative
The manual includes explanatory diagrams showing how to assemble each part of the bookshelf.
Practice question- explicit adjective
stated clearly and in full detail, leaving no room for confusion
- clearly stated
- specific
- unmistakable
The pharmacist gave explicit directions: take one tablet every eight hours with food.
Practice question- exports verb
sends goods to another country to be sold there
- sends out for sale
- ships abroad
- sells overseas
The small coastal town exports fresh lobster to restaurants across Europe and Asia.
Practice question- extract verb
to remove or pull something out, often with effort
- pull out
- remove
- draw out
The mechanic used a special tool to extract the broken bolt from the engine block.
Practice question- exuberant adjective
full of energy, excitement, and happiness
- joyfully energetic
- high-spirited
- elated
The exuberant puppy raced around the yard, barking at every leaf that blew past.
Practice question
F
- facilitate verb
to make a task or process easier or smoother
- make easier
- ease
- help along
Color-coded labels on every bin facilitate quick restocking in the busy parts warehouse.
Practice question- fast adverb
firmly and tightly, so that it cannot move
- firmly
- tightly
- securely
The truck's wheels were stuck fast in the thick mud after the storm.
Practice question- fastidious adjective
very demanding about details, cleanliness, or correctness
- hard to please
- picky
- exacting
The fastidious homeowner made the painters redo a wall because of one faint brush mark.
Practice question- feasible adjective
possible to do in a practical way
- workable
- practical
- doable
The mechanic said fixing the old truck was feasible, but a replacement might cost less.
Practice question- feeble adjective
lacking physical strength or force; not effective
- weak
- frail
- faint
The flashlight gave only a feeble glow because its batteries were nearly dead.
Practice question- figure noun
a written number or amount
- number
- amount
- digit
The accountant circled the figure that showed how much the company spent on fuel.
Practice question- finalize verb
to finish something by settling the last details
- complete
- wrap up
- settle
We will finalize our travel plans once the airline confirms the flight times.
Practice question- fine adjective
made of extremely small pieces or particles; very thin
- very small
- powdery
- tiny
A fine layer of desert sand covered every vehicle in the motor pool by morning.
Practice question- fire noun
strong criticism or blame directed at someone
- criticism
- attack
- blame
The airline came under fire from travelers after canceling hundreds of holiday flights.
Practice question- firm noun
a business or company, often one offering professional services
- company
- business
- agency
She took a job at a small law firm right after finishing school.
Practice question- flag verb
to become tired, weaker, or less active
- weaken
- fade
- droop
Interest in the science fair began to flag after the judges ran two hours behind schedule.
Practice question- flamboyant adjective
bold, colorful, and eager to draw attention
- showy
- flashy
- dazzling
The flamboyant tour guide wore a purple cape and told jokes at every stop.
Practice question- flank verb
to attack or move around the side of an enemy force
- attack from the side
- outflank
- go around
During the training exercise, one squad tried to flank the defenders by crawling through the tall grass.
Practice question- flimsy adjective
thin, poorly made, and easily broken or damaged
- weak
- fragile
- rickety
The flimsy tent collapsed as soon as the wind picked up at the campsite.
Practice question- fluctuate verb
to keep going up and down or changing irregularly
- rise and fall
- vary
- swing
Temperatures in the desert fluctuate wildly, from scorching afternoons to near-freezing nights.
Practice question- foresight noun
the ability to see future needs and prepare for them
- planning ahead
- prudence
- anticipation
Her foresight in buying a generator kept the family warm during the winter power outage.
Practice question- forewarned verb
told about a danger or problem before it happened
- warned in advance
- alerted
- tipped off
The foreman forewarned the crew that the crane inspection would shut down work on Friday.
Practice question- fortified verb
made stronger, especially to resist attack or damage
- reinforced
- strengthened
- braced
The engineers fortified the old barn with steel beams before the heavy snow season.
Practice question- fragment noun
a small part broken off or separated from something larger
- piece
- shard
- scrap
The welder wore goggles because a fragment of hot metal could fly into his eye.
Practice question- fragrant adjective
having a pleasant, sweet smell
- sweet-smelling
- perfumed
- aromatic
The bakery near the train station sold fragrant cinnamon rolls that travelers could smell from the platform.
Practice question- frail adjective
physically weak and easily hurt, often because of age or illness
- weak
- feeble
- delicate
My frail grandmother needs help carrying groceries up the stairs now.
Practice question- frivolous adjective
silly or unimportant, not worth serious attention
- lacking serious purpose
- trivial
- petty
The judge dismissed the frivolous lawsuit over a neighbor's wind chimes in five minutes.
Practice question- frugal adjective
careful to avoid wasting money or resources
- thrifty
- economical
- sparing
Living on a frugal budget, the young couple packed lunches instead of eating out.
Practice question- fruitless adjective
producing no useful result despite effort
- unproductive
- useless
- futile
After a fruitless afternoon of fishing, we bought dinner at the dock market.
Practice question
G
- galvanized verb
suddenly moved people to act with energy and enthusiasm
- stirred to action
- roused
- energized
News of the flooded shelter galvanized the neighborhood, and dozens of volunteers showed up with sandbags.
Practice question- geologist noun
a scientist who studies rocks, soil, and how the earth formed
- earth scientist
- rock expert
The oil company hired a geologist to decide where to drill the next well.
Practice question- geothermal adjective
having to do with the natural heat found deep underground
- relating to heat inside the earth
- earth-heated
Iceland uses geothermal energy from hot springs to heat many of its homes.
Practice question- grave adjective
very serious and worrying
- serious
- severe
- critical
The commander warned that a fuel leak on the flight deck was a grave danger.
Practice question- ground noun
a position or opinion someone defends and refuses to give up
- position
- stance
- standpoint
Even when the customer shouted, the young clerk held her ground and followed store policy.
Practice question- grueling adjective
extremely hard and tiring, draining a person's strength
- exhausting
- punishing
- brutal
The recruits finished a grueling twenty-mile march carrying full packs over steep hills.
Practice question
H
- harbor verb
to keep a feeling or thought in your mind for a long time
- hold onto
- nurse
- bear
The veteran still seemed to harbor resentment toward the unit that had taken credit for his work.
Practice question- hardship noun
a situation of severe difficulty, pain, or lack of basic needs
- suffering
- adversity
- privation
The family endured great hardship after the flood destroyed their home and crops.
Practice question- hasty adjective
done too quickly and without enough care
- rushed and careless
- hurried
- rash
His hasty packing meant he arrived at the airport without his passport.
Practice question- haughty adjective
acting as if you are better than other people
- arrogant
- snobbish
- proud
The haughty guest snapped his fingers at the waiters and complained about everything.
Practice question- hazard noun
something that could cause harm, injury, or damage
- danger
- risk
- threat
The spilled oil on the garage floor was a slipping hazard until we cleaned it up.
Practice question- hazardous adjective
likely to cause harm or injury
- dangerous
- risky
- unsafe
Icy roads make driving hazardous, so the base delayed the morning formation.
Practice question- head verb
to lead or be in charge of a group or project
- direct
- lead
- manage
An experienced nurse will head the new night-shift team at the clinic.
Practice question- hinder verb
to make it harder for someone or something to make progress
- hold back
- obstruct
- impede
Road construction will hinder traffic on the highway for most of the summer.
Practice question- historic adjective
so important that it will be remembered for a long time
- momentous
- landmark
- significant
The signing of the peace treaty was a historic day for both nations.
Practice question- hoarder noun
someone who collects and hides away large amounts of things
- person who stockpiles
- collector
- squirrel
My uncle is a hoarder whose garage is packed with old newspapers and broken radios.
Practice question- homogeneous adjective
the same in makeup or character all the way through
- the same throughout
- uniform
- consistent
The baker mixed the dough until it was homogeneous, with no streaks of flour left.
Practice question- host noun
a large number or crowd of things or people
- large number
- multitude
- array
Moving overseas brought a host of challenges, from new paperwork to learning a foreign language.
Practice question- humid adjective
having a lot of water vapor in the air, feeling damp and sticky
- moist
- muggy
- damp
The greenhouse stays warm and humid so the tropical plants can thrive.
Practice question- hydrological adjective
relating to the science of water and how it moves through land and air
- concerned with the study of water
- water-related
Engineers used hydrological data on rainfall and runoff to design the new storm drains.
Practice question- hypothermia noun
a dangerous condition in which the body gets far too cold
- dangerously low body temperature
- exposure
The fisherman developed hypothermia after falling into the icy lake in his heavy clothes.
Practice question
I
- idealistic adjective
holding high hopes and principles, often without regard for practical limits
- guided by lofty principles
- visionary
- romantic
The idealistic young officer believed every soldier in his unit could earn top marks.
Practice question- immobile adjective
not moving or not able to move
- unable to move
- motionless
- still
Stuck in the deep mud, the heavy truck sat immobile until the tow crew arrived.
Practice question- impartial adjective
treating all sides fairly without favoring anyone
- unbiased
- neutral
- fair
An impartial referee was brought in from another county to call the championship game.
Practice question- impassable adjective
impossible to travel over or through
- blocked
- closed
- impenetrable
Heavy snow made the mountain pass impassable, so the truckers waited in town until the plows came.
Practice question- imperceptible adjective
too slight or faint to be noticed by the senses
- undetectable
- unnoticeable
- invisible
The leak in the tire was so slow that the pressure drop was imperceptible over a single day.
Practice question- impetuous adjective
acting quickly without thinking carefully first
- impulsive
- rash
- reckless
In an impetuous moment, he quit his job and booked a one-way flight to Alaska.
Practice question- implied verb
hinted at something without stating it directly
- suggested
- hinted
- indicated
By glancing at the clock, my boss implied that the meeting had run long enough.
Practice question- imply verb
to suggest something without stating it directly
- suggest without saying
- hint
- indicate
Her silence seemed to imply that she disagreed with the new travel policy.
Practice question- important adjective
having great value, meaning, or effect
- significant
- key
- major
Drinking enough water is important when working outside on a hot construction site.
Practice question- impressionable adjective
easily swayed or shaped by others, especially when young
- easily influenced
- suggestible
- naive
Parents worry that impressionable kids will copy the risky stunts they see in online videos.
Practice question- inclement adjective
rough and unpleasant, with rain, snow, cold, or wind
- stormy
- harsh
- foul
Flights were grounded because of inclement weather, with sleet and high winds across the region.
Practice question- incredulous adjective
not able or willing to believe something
- unable to believe
- disbelieving
- skeptical
The mechanic was incredulous when the car ran fine after sitting unused for ten years.
Practice question- indifferent adjective
having no interest or concern about something
- uncaring
- unconcerned
- apathetic
The indifferent mechanic shrugged when I told him the brakes were squealing again.
Practice question- indignant adjective
angry because one has been treated unfairly or insulted
- angered by unfair treatment
- resentful
- offended
The traveler was indignant when the airline charged her twice for the same bag.
Practice question- induce verb
to cause something to happen or begin
- bring about
- cause
- trigger
Spinning too fast on the carnival ride can induce nausea in some riders.
Practice question- inept adjective
lacking skill and doing things badly
- clumsy
- incompetent
- unskilled
The inept painter dripped paint all over the carpet and missed half the trim.
Practice question- inferred verb
reached an idea by reasoning from clues or facts
- concluded
- deduced
- figured
From the empty food bowl and scattered crumbs, she inferred that the dog had raided the pantry.
Practice question- inflammable adjective
able to catch fire and burn very easily
- easily set on fire
- flammable
- combustible
Store inflammable solvents in a metal cabinet far from the welding area.
Practice question- informative adjective
giving useful facts or knowledge
- instructive
- educational
- enlightening
The museum tour was informative, and the kids learned a lot about early aircraft.
Practice question- ingenious adjective
showing original and inventive thinking
- clever
- inventive
- resourceful
The farmer rigged an ingenious watering system from old bike parts and garden hose.
Practice question- innate adjective
present from birth rather than learned
- inborn
- natural
- inherent
The young pilot had an innate sense of direction that never seemed to fail her.
Practice question- innovative adjective
using new ideas or methods that have not been tried before
- original
- groundbreaking
- inventive
The farmer used an innovative watering system that cut his water bill in half.
Practice question- inscribe verb
to carve, engrave, or write words on a surface
- carve or write
- engrave
- etch
The jeweler will inscribe the couple's wedding date inside each of the gold rings.
Practice question- insinuated verb
suggested something negative in an indirect, sly way
- hinted at something unpleasant
- implied
- suggested
The neighbor insinuated that my dog had dug up his flower bed, though he had no proof.
Practice question- insisted verb
stated or demanded something firmly and would not back down
- kept demanding firmly
- demanded
- maintained
The drill sergeant insisted that every bunk be made with tight corners before breakfast.
Practice question- insolent adjective
rude and showing a lack of respect, especially toward authority
- disrespectful
- rude
- impudent
The insolent customer mocked the cashier and refused to wait in line.
Practice question- inspector noun
an official who checks things to make sure they meet standards
- examiner
- checker
- auditor
The health inspector checked the restaurant's freezer temperatures during the surprise visit.
Practice question- inspects verb
looks at something carefully to check its condition or find problems
- examines closely
- checks
- scrutinizes
Every spring, the landlord inspects the furnace and smoke detectors in each apartment.
Practice question- intercepted verb
stopped or caught something before it reached its destination
- stopped on the way
- blocked
- seized
Customs agents intercepted the package of illegal goods at the airport warehouse.
Practice question- interim adjective
serving only for a short period until a lasting choice is made
- temporary
- acting
- stopgap
While the roof was repaired, the family used a tarp as an interim cover against the rain.
Practice question- interlocutor noun
a person taking part in a conversation with you
- conversation partner
- speaker
- respondent
During the job interview, my interlocutor asked thoughtful questions about my mechanical training.
Practice question- intermittent adjective
stopping and starting again at uneven times
- on and off
- sporadic
- fitful
Intermittent rain delayed the bridge repairs for most of the week.
Practice question- interrupted verb
stopped something for a moment by breaking into it
- broke in on
- disrupted
- cut off
A loud thunderclap interrupted our dinner conversation and made the dog bark.
Practice question- intramural adjective
taking place only among members of the same school or group
- within one school
- in-house
- internal
The base runs an intramural softball league in which units play only against each other.
Practice question- intramuscular adjective
located in or given into a muscle
- within a muscle
The veterinarian gave the horse an intramuscular injection in its neck.
Practice question- intrepid adjective
brave and willing to face danger
- fearless
- courageous
- daring
Intrepid explorers crossed the frozen ice cap on skis, pulling their supplies on sleds.
Practice question- inventive adjective
good at finding clever new ways to solve problems
- resourceful
- clever
- ingenious
The inventive camper used a soda can and some wire to build a small cooking stove.
Practice question- irrelevant adjective
having no connection to the matter being discussed
- unrelated
- beside the point
- off-topic
During the job interview, questions about her hobbies seemed irrelevant to the welding position.
Practice question- irreversible adjective
impossible to undo or change back to how it was
- unable to be undone
- permanent
- final
Cutting the beam too short was an irreversible error, so we had to order new lumber.
Practice question- irrevocable adjective
final and impossible to undo or take back
- impossible to cancel
- permanent
- binding
Once she signed the papers, the sale of the farm was irrevocable.
Practice question- issue noun
one printed copy or edition of a magazine or newspaper
- edition
- number
- copy
The latest issue of the base newsletter featured a story about our medical team.
Practice question
J
- jovial adjective
cheerful and friendly, often joking and laughing
- good-humored
- cheerful
- jolly
The jovial cook greeted every hiker with a joke and a heaping plate of pancakes.
Practice question- jubilant adjective
full of great joy and celebration, especially after a success
- joyful
- triumphant
- overjoyed
The jubilant family hugged at the airport when their son returned from deployment.
Practice question- judicious adjective
showing good judgment and wise decisions
- sensible
- wise
- prudent
The judicious use of water kept the hikers supplied until they reached the next spring.
Practice question- justifiable adjective
having a good enough reason to be accepted or defended
- defensible
- warranted
- excusable
Spending extra on safety boots is justifiable for anyone working on a construction site.
Practice question- justification noun
a reason or explanation offered to show something is right
- reason given
- explanation
- grounds
The pilot's justification for turning back was a warning light on the fuel gauge.
Practice question
K
- keen adjective
very interested in something and excited to do it
- eager
- enthusiastic
- avid
My nephew is keen to learn welding and watches every video he can find.
Practice question
L
- lavish adjective
very rich, costly, and generous, often more than needed
- extravagant
- luxurious
- opulent
The hotel suite was lavish, with marble floors, a hot tub, and a private chef.
Practice question- lead noun
a heavy, soft, gray metal that can be poisonous
- a heavy metal
- heavy metal
Old paint in the barracks was tested for lead before the renovation crew started sanding.
Practice question- leisurely adjective
relaxed and done without any rush
- unhurried
- relaxed
- easygoing
After the deployment ended, they enjoyed a leisurely breakfast on the hotel balcony.
Practice question- lengthen verb
to make something longer
- extend
- stretch
- draw out
The city plans to lengthen the runway so larger cargo planes can land.
Practice question- lethargic adjective
slow, tired, and lacking energy
- sluggish
- drowsy
- listless
The summer heat left the whole work crew lethargic by mid-afternoon.
Practice question- likelihood noun
the chance that something will happen
- probability
- odds
- chance
Wearing a seat belt greatly reduces the likelihood of serious injury in a car crash.
Practice question- livid adjective
extremely angry, so upset it shows on the face
- furious
- enraged
- irate
The homeowner was livid when the contractor left the job half finished and stopped answering calls.
Practice question- lucid adjective
easy to understand because it is expressed plainly
- clear
- understandable
- plain
The professor gave a lucid explanation of how batteries store energy, and everyone followed along.
Practice question
M
- magnanimous adjective
generous and forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone weaker
- generous-spirited
- big-hearted
- gracious
The winning candidate gave a magnanimous speech thanking her opponent for a fair race.
Practice question- magnitude noun
the great size, strength, or importance of something
- size or strength
- extent
- scale
The crew did not grasp the magnitude of the wildfire until they saw it from the air.
Practice question- maladroit adjective
awkward and lacking skill in handling things or people
- clumsy
- inept
- bungling
His maladroit attempt to fix the sink left water all over the kitchen floor.
Practice question- malevolent adjective
wanting to cause harm or evil to others
- wishing harm to others
- spiteful
- evil
The hacker had malevolent intentions, planning to lock the hospital's records for ransom.
Practice question- malfunction verb
to fail to operate the way it is supposed to
- work improperly
- fail
- break down
If the smoke detector begins to malfunction, replace its battery or the whole unit.
Practice question- malicious adjective
meant to hurt or harm someone on purpose
- spiteful
- hateful
- vicious
A malicious hacker deleted the company's files just to cause trouble.
Practice question- malleable adjective
able to be bent, pressed, or formed without breaking
- easily shaped
- pliable
- workable
Gold is so malleable that a goldsmith can hammer it into sheets thinner than paper.
Practice question- mandate noun
official authority or an order given to carry out a task
- authority to act
- order
- commission
The task force had a mandate from headquarters to cut supply delays by half.
Practice question- mastered verb
learned a skill so thoroughly that one can do it very well
- became expert at
- perfected
- learned fully
By the end of basic training, he had mastered taking apart and reassembling his rifle.
Practice question- meager adjective
too small in amount or quality; barely enough
- scanty
- sparse
- inadequate
The intern lived on a meager salary and shared a tiny apartment with two roommates.
Practice question- mean noun
the average found by adding numbers and dividing by how many there are
- average
- arithmetic average
The mean of the platoon's run times dropped by a full minute after training.
Practice question- meek adjective
quiet and gentle, and quick to obey or give in
- submissive
- timid
- docile
The meek passenger said nothing when a stranger took her reserved seat on the train.
Practice question- methodical adjective
doing things in a careful, orderly, step-by-step way
- systematic
- orderly
- organized
The methodical detective reviewed every phone record before interviewing a single suspect.
Practice question- meticulous adjective
showing great care and attention to every small detail
- thorough
- precise
- careful
The meticulous lab technician labeled every sample and logged each measurement to three decimal places.
Practice question- microscopic adjective
so tiny that it cannot be seen without magnification
- extremely small
- tiny
- minute
Microscopic dust particles can scratch a camera lens if it is wiped with a dirty cloth.
Practice question- minute adjective
extremely small in size or amount
- tiny
- microscopic
- slight
The lab technician measured a minute amount of lead in the drinking water sample.
Practice question- misconstrued verb
understood something wrongly, giving it the wrong meaning
- misinterpreted
- misunderstood
- misread
The tourist misconstrued the hand signal and turned left onto a one-way street.
Practice question- misjudge verb
to form a wrong opinion or estimate about something
- estimate wrongly
- miscalculate
- misread
Hikers often misjudge how long the descent will take and end up walking in the dark.
Practice question- misnomer noun
a name or label that is wrong or misleading
- inaccurate name
- wrong name
- mislabel
The name lead pencil is a misnomer, since the core is actually made of graphite.
Practice question- mitigate verb
to make something bad less severe, painful, or serious
- lessen
- ease
- reduce
Engineers built sea walls to mitigate the damage that storm surges cause to the harbor.
Practice question- modernize verb
to bring something up to current standards or styles
- update
- renovate
- upgrade
The factory plans to modernize its assembly line with new robotic arms.
Practice question- modify verb
to make some changes to something without replacing it entirely
- change
- alter
- adjust
The cook had to modify the recipe because we ran out of butter.
Practice question- multicolored adjective
having many different colors
- varicolored
- colorful
- rainbow
The tile setter laid a multicolored mosaic on the bathroom floor.
Practice question- mundane adjective
dull and everyday, not exciting or special
- ordinary
- routine
- commonplace
Folding laundry and paying bills filled his mundane Sunday afternoon.
Practice question
N
- negligible adjective
so small or minor that it does not matter
- insignificant
- trivial
- minimal
The weight of the extra antenna had a negligible effect on the drone's flight time.
Practice question- nocturnal adjective
active mainly during the night rather than the day
- active at night
- night-active
Raccoons are nocturnal, so they raid trash cans after everyone has gone to bed.
Practice question- nonchalant adjective
calm and relaxed in a way that shows little worry or interest
- unconcerned
- casual
- indifferent
She gave a nonchalant shrug when the flight was delayed, then calmly opened her book at the gate.
Practice question- noncompliance noun
failure to follow a rule, order, or official requirement
- failure to meet requirements
- violation
- disobedience
The landlord received a warning for noncompliance after skipping the yearly smoke alarm inspection.
Practice question- nonessential adjective
not necessary or needed for the main work to continue
- not required
- unnecessary
- optional
To lighten the pack for the long hike, he left every nonessential item at base camp.
Practice question- nonfiction noun
writing about real people, events, and facts rather than invented stories
- factual writing
- fact-based writing
My uncle reads mostly nonfiction, especially books about mountain climbing and space travel.
Practice question- novice noun
someone who has just started learning a skill or activity
- beginner
- newcomer
- rookie
As a novice at the climbing gym, he started on the easiest wall with an instructor nearby.
Practice question- noxious adjective
poisonous or damaging to health, especially when breathed in
- harmful
- toxic
- poisonous
The chemistry lab has a fume hood so students never breathe the noxious gases their experiments release.
Practice question
O
- oasis noun
a fertile, green spot in a desert where water can be found
- desert water source
- watering hole
- spring
The caravan rested at an oasis, where palm trees shaded a small pool of fresh water.
Practice question- object verb
to say that you disagree with or oppose something
- oppose
- protest
- disapprove
Several drivers object to the new rule requiring them to log every rest stop.
Practice question- objective noun
something you are working or aiming to achieve
- goal
- aim
- target
Our objective for this quarter is to cut shipping delays in half.
Practice question- objectivity noun
the quality of judging fairly, based on facts rather than feelings
- impartiality
- fairness
- neutrality
Scientists value objectivity, so they record results even when the data disagree with their hopes.
Practice question- obsolete adjective
no longer used or useful because something newer has replaced it
- outdated
- out of date
- antiquated
The lab threw out its obsolete microscopes after the new digital models arrived.
Practice question- obstinate adjective
refusing to change your mind or behavior
- stubborn
- unyielding
- headstrong
The obstinate mule refused to cross the creek no matter how hard the rancher pulled.
Practice question- obstruction noun
something that blocks a path, passage, or flow
- blockage
- barrier
- clog
The convoy halted while engineers cleared a fallen-tree obstruction from the mountain road.
Practice question- omit verb
to leave something out on purpose or by accident
- leave out
- skip
- exclude
The recipe card seemed to omit the baking time, so we guessed and checked often.
Practice question- omnipotent adjective
having unlimited power and able to do anything
- all-powerful
- almighty
- supreme
The dictator acted as if he were omnipotent, but the people eventually forced him out.
Practice question- omniscient adjective
knowing everything there is to know
- all-knowing
- all-seeing
The new manager seemed omniscient, somehow aware of every problem before anyone reported it.
Practice question- onerous adjective
heavy, difficult, and tiring to carry out
- burdensome
- demanding
- taxing
Filling out the onerous customs forms took longer than the flight itself.
Practice question- optimism noun
a tendency to expect good things to happen
- hopefulness
- confidence
- positivity
Despite the rain, the farmers' optimism about a good harvest stayed high.
Practice question- organizational adjective
having to do with how a group is arranged and run
- relating to how a group is structured
- structural
- administrative
The new chart showed the organizational layout of the hospital, from department heads to nurses.
Practice question- organized adjective
neatly arranged and kept in good order
- orderly
- tidy
- neat
The supply room was so organized that new soldiers could find any item within seconds.
Practice question- ostentatious adjective
designed to attract attention and impress others with wealth or style
- showy
- flashy
- pretentious
The ostentatious hotel lobby had gold-plated railings and a chandelier the size of a car.
Practice question- overestimated verb
guessed that an amount or quality was larger than it really was
- guessed too high
- overrated
- overvalued
The cook overestimated how hungry the crew would be and threw out a whole pot of stew.
Practice question- oversight noun
a mistake made by failing to notice or remember something
- careless omission
- slip
- lapse
Forgetting to sign the lease was an oversight that delayed our move by a week.
Practice question
P
- pacify verb
to make someone who is upset or angry become calm
- calm
- soothe
- placate
The father tried to pacify the crying baby by humming a quiet song.
Practice question- parched adjective
very dry, or badly in need of something to drink
- extremely thirsty
- dried out
- dehydrated
After eight hours of roofing in the sun, the workers were parched and grabbed the water jug.
Practice question- passage noun
the approval of a proposed law by a lawmaking body
- approval
- enactment
- adoption
Veterans groups lobbied for months to secure passage of the new benefits law.
Practice question- patriotism noun
strong love for and loyalty to one's own country
- love of country
- national pride
- loyalty
Flags lined Main Street as the town showed its patriotism during the Fourth of July parade.
Practice question- pending adjective
not yet settled or decided; still waiting for action
- awaiting a decision
- undecided
- unresolved
My travel reimbursement is still pending, so I cannot pay off the hotel bill yet.
Practice question- perceptible adjective
able to be noticed or sensed, even if slightly
- noticeable
- detectable
- visible
There was a perceptible chill in the air as the sun dropped behind the ridge.
Practice question- perception noun
the way someone sees, understands, or thinks about something
- view
- impression
- opinion
A friendly front desk staff can change a guest's perception of the entire hotel.
Practice question- perceptive adjective
quick to notice and understand things others miss
- observant
- sharp
- insightful
A perceptive teacher noticed that the quiet student was struggling to see the board.
Practice question- periodic adjective
happening again and again at regular, set times
- occurring at regular intervals
- recurring
- regular
Periodic fire drills help the factory workers know exactly where to go in an emergency.
Practice question- perishable adjective
likely to go bad or rot quickly unless kept cold
- likely to spoil
- spoilable
- short-lived
Grocery trucks keep perishable items like meat and dairy refrigerated during delivery.
Practice question- perjury noun
the crime of knowingly telling a lie after swearing to tell the truth
- lying under oath
- false testimony
The contractor was charged with perjury after lying to the judge about the building permits.
Practice question- permit verb
to allow something to happen or make it possible
- allow
- let
- enable
The base rules do not permit visitors on the flight line without an escort.
Practice question- persistence noun
continuing firmly toward a goal despite difficulty
- determination
- perseverance
- tenacity
Through persistence, the mechanic finally traced the strange engine noise to a loose bolt.
Practice question- persistent adjective
continuing firmly in spite of difficulty or opposition; refusing to give up
- determined
- tenacious
- relentless
A persistent salesman called the office every day until the manager finally agreed to meet.
Practice question- pertinent adjective
directly related to the matter being discussed or handled
- relevant
- applicable
- related
The lawyer asked the witness to share only facts pertinent to the case.
Practice question- petulant adjective
sulky and bad-tempered in a childish way
- childishly sulky
- peevish
- cranky
The petulant passenger slammed his tray table shut when told the flight had no more snacks.
Practice question- philanthropy noun
giving money or time to help other people and good causes
- generous giving to help others
- charity
- benevolence
The plumber's quiet philanthropy funded free heating repairs for elderly neighbors every winter.
Practice question- pitch noun
the degree of steepness or angle of a surface
- slope
- incline
- angle
The roofer measured the pitch of the garage roof before ordering shingles for the job.
Practice question- placid adjective
calm and peaceful with little movement or disturbance
- still
- calm
- tranquil
The old horse had a placid nature, so the children could ride him safely.
Practice question- plain noun
a wide, flat area of land with few trees
- flat grassland
- prairie
- flatland
The train crossed a dusty plain for hours before the first hills appeared.
Practice question- plant noun
a factory or industrial building where something is made or processed
- factory
- mill
- works
The power plant outside town supplies electricity to nearly fifty thousand homes.
Practice question- plausible adjective
seeming reasonable and likely to be true
- believable
- credible
- reasonable
The scientist offered a plausible reason for the strange readings: a loose sensor wire.
Practice question- plentiful adjective
existing in large amounts; more than enough
- abundant
- ample
- bountiful
Fresh fish is plentiful in the coastal village, so meals there are cheap.
Practice question- pondered verb
thought about something carefully and for a while
- considered
- weighed
- mulled over
The carpenter pondered the crooked doorframe before deciding how to fix it.
Practice question- portable adjective
light or small enough to be carried around easily
- easily carried
- movable
- handheld
We brought a portable generator on the camping trip to charge our phones.
Practice question- post noun
the place where a guard or soldier is assigned to stay
- assigned station
- position
- station
The lifeguard stayed at her post until the beach closed at sunset.
Practice question- postdated verb
wrote a date on a document that is later than the actual day
- marked with a later date
- dated ahead
The contractor postdated the invoice so payment would fall in the next budget month.
Practice question- postoperative adjective
happening in the period after a medical operation
- after surgery
- post-surgical
The vet explained the dog's postoperative care, including rest and a cone to protect the stitches.
Practice question- pragmatic adjective
focused on what works in real life rather than on theory
- practical
- realistic
- sensible
A pragmatic plumber used a temporary clamp to stop the leak until the new pipe arrived.
Practice question- precarious adjective
not secure and likely to fall or fail at any moment
- unstable
- risky
- shaky
The stack of paint cans on the top shelf looked precarious after the truck hit a pothole.
Practice question- precooked adjective
prepared by cooking ahead of time, needing only reheating
- cooked beforehand
- ready-made
Hikers carried precooked bacon because it kept well and needed no frying on the trail.
Practice question- precursor noun
something that came before and led the way to a later thing
- forerunner
- predecessor
- ancestor
Early hand-cranked calculators were a precursor of the modern computer.
Practice question- predict verb
to say ahead of time what will happen in the future
- foretell
- forecast
- anticipate
Engineers use sensors to predict when a jet engine part will need replacing.
Practice question- preemptive adjective
done ahead of time to stop an expected problem or attack
- done to prevent an expected threat
- preventive
- precautionary
The city made a preemptive move, clearing storm drains before the heavy rains arrived.
Practice question- prepay verb
to hand over money for something before receiving it
- pay in advance
- pay ahead
- pay up front
Drivers at this station must prepay inside before the pump will start.
Practice question- present verb
to formally give or hand something to someone
- hand over
- award
- give
The plant manager will present safety certificates to the crew at Friday's meeting.
Practice question- probable adjective
expected to happen or be true based on the evidence
- likely
- expected
- plausible
With dark clouds rolling in over the airfield, a flight delay seemed probable to the waiting crew.
Practice question- productive adjective
getting a lot of useful work done
- accomplishing a lot
- efficient
- fruitful
The team had a productive meeting and settled every item on the agenda in an hour.
Practice question- prohibit verb
to officially forbid something by a rule or law
- forbid
- ban
- bar
Most airlines prohibit passengers from carrying large bottles of liquid onto the plane.
Practice question- projectile noun
an object that is thrown, fired, or sent flying through the air
- object sent flying
- missile
- flying debris
During range training, recruits learned how wind can push a projectile off its intended path.
Practice question- proponent noun
a person who argues in favor of an idea or plan
- supporter
- advocate
- backer
The chief engineer was a proponent of switching the fleet to electric trucks.
Practice question- protective adjective
keeping someone or something safe from harm or injury
- shielding
- guarding
- defensive
Before cutting the steel pipe, the plumber pulled on protective gloves and safety goggles.
Practice question- provisional adjective
set for now but likely to change once more information comes in
- subject to change
- tentative
- temporary
The crew chief posted a provisional flight schedule, warning pilots it might shift after the weather briefing.
Practice question- prudent adjective
showing good judgment and care, especially about risks or the future
- sensible
- wise
- careful
It is prudent to save part of every paycheck in case the car breaks down.
Practice question- purge verb
to clear out unwanted material by forcing it out
- flush out
- clear
- empty
The plumber opened the valve to purge air from the pipes before turning on the new boiler.
Practice question- purify verb
to make something clean by removing dirt or harmful substances
- cleanse
- filter
- refine
Campers use tablets to purify stream water before drinking it.
Practice question
Q
- quagmire noun
a complicated, difficult situation that is very hard to escape from
- tangled predicament
- mess
- bind
The building permit turned into a quagmire of paperwork that delayed construction for a year.
Practice question- qualified verb
made a statement less absolute by adding a limit or condition
- limited with conditions
- restricted
- modified
The mechanic qualified his estimate, saying the price would hold only if the transmission was undamaged.
Practice question- quarters noun
the rooms or building where someone lives or stays
- living space
- lodging
- housing
The ship's crew slept in cramped quarters below deck during the long Atlantic crossing.
Practice question
R
- racket noun
a loud, unpleasant, and confusing noise
- loud noise
- din
- clamor
The racket from the neighbor's leaf blower woke the baby from her nap.
Practice question- rank adjective
having a strong, very unpleasant smell
- foul
- stinking
- rotten
The rank odor of spoiled milk filled the barracks fridge after the power outage.
Practice question- rational adjective
based on clear thinking and sound reasoning
- logical
- sensible
- sound
Even during the emergency, the captain stayed calm and made rational choices.
Practice question- rationalize verb
to invent reasons that make a poor choice seem acceptable
- make excuses for
- justify
- explain away
He tried to rationalize skipping the gym by saying he had walked a lot at the mall.
Practice question- reasonable adjective
fair and sensible in amount, not too high or extreme
- moderate
- fair
- affordable
The hotel near the station offered reasonable rates, so we booked two nights there.
Practice question- rebuild verb
to put something together again after it was damaged or destroyed
- construct again
- reconstruct
- restore
The mechanic decided to rebuild the old engine rather than buy a new one.
Practice question- refusal noun
the act of saying no to a request or offer
- rejection
- denial
- turndown
His refusal to wear a hard hat got him sent home from the construction site.
Practice question- refuse noun
waste material that is thrown away
- trash
- garbage
- rubbish
Kitchen crews on the ship sort food refuse from plastics before it goes to storage.
Practice question- register verb
to formally record a name or item on an official list
- formally record
- sign in
- enroll
New residents must register their vehicles at the base office within ten days.
Practice question- regrettable adjective
bad or unfortunate enough that people wish it had not happened
- unfortunate
- lamentable
- sad
Losing the client's paperwork was a regrettable error that cost the office a contract.
Practice question- reimburse verb
to pay someone back money they spent
- pay back
- repay
- refund
The company will reimburse employees for gas when they drive their own cars to job sites.
Practice question- reinforced verb
made something stronger by adding support or material
- strengthened
- braced
- fortified
The crew reinforced the shelves with metal brackets so they could hold heavy tools.
Practice question- reliance noun
the state of needing or trusting something or someone
- dependence
- trust
- need
The town's reliance on one factory hurt badly when the plant closed.
Practice question- reliant adjective
needing someone or something for support or to work
- dependent
- needing
- supported by
Many rural families are reliant on a single well for all their drinking water.
Practice question- relief noun
a person or group that takes over a duty from another
- replacement
- substitute
- stand-in
The night nurse waited for her relief so she could finally get some sleep.
Practice question- relieve verb
to take over a post or shift so the person on duty can leave
- take over duty from
- replace
- stand in for
The night nurse arrived at eleven to relieve her coworker, who had been on the ward since noon.
Practice question- relinquish verb
to give up control, possession, or a right
- give up
- surrender
- hand over
The retiring chief agreed to relinquish command of the fire station at the end of June.
Practice question- reluctantly adverb
in a way that shows you do not really want to do something
- unwillingly
- grudgingly
- hesitantly
The mechanic reluctantly told the customer that the repair would cost twice the estimate.
Practice question- remote adjective
very small or unlikely, as in a chance or possibility
- slight
- faint
- unlikely
There is only a remote possibility that the flight will be canceled in this clear weather.
Practice question- representative noun
a person chosen to act or speak for a group
- delegate
- spokesperson
- agent
Our office sent a representative to the regional training conference in Denver.
Practice question- resilient adjective
able to bounce back quickly from hardship or damage
- quick to recover
- tough
- hardy
Resilient families in the flooded town rebuilt their homes within a single year.
Practice question- resolute adjective
strongly decided and unwilling to change one's mind or give up
- firm
- determined
- steadfast
She stayed resolute about finishing her degree while working full-time at the hospital.
Practice question- resolve noun
firm determination to do something
- determination
- willpower
- grit
The rescue team's resolve kept them searching through the night despite the cold.
Practice question- respectable adjective
fairly good or large enough to be acceptable
- reasonably good
- decent
- adequate
The small bakery earned a respectable profit in its very first year.
Practice question- responsible adjective
being the one who must answer for something and its results
- accountable
- answerable
- liable
The pilot in command is responsible for the safety of everyone aboard the aircraft.
Practice question- responsive adjective
reacting quickly and helpfully to requests or changes
- quick to react
- attentive
- alert
The landlord was very responsive and sent a repairman the same day we reported the leak.
Practice question- restorative adjective
bringing back energy, health, or strength
- refreshing
- healing
- reviving
After a week of field training, a hot shower and a full night of sleep felt restorative.
Practice question- restricted adjective
kept within limits, or open only to certain people
- limited
- controlled
- off-limits
Access to the server room is restricted to the IT staff and building security.
Practice question- restrictive adjective
keeping things within tight limits or rules
- limiting
- confining
- strict
The airline's restrictive baggage policy allowed only one small carry-on bag per passenger.
Practice question- retain verb
to continue to have or hold on to something
- keep
- hold
- preserve
Good insulation helps the cabin retain heat through the cold mountain nights.
Practice question- reticent adjective
quiet and unwilling to share thoughts or feelings
- reserved
- tight-lipped
- quiet
The new hire was reticent at first, saying little during lunch until she got to know the crew.
Practice question- retracted verb
took back something said or offered earlier
- withdrew
- took back
- recanted
The newspaper retracted the story after learning that its main source had lied.
Practice question- retroactive adjective
taking effect from a date earlier than when it was approved
- effective from a past date
- backdated
- retrospective
The tax change was retroactive, so families received refunds for the previous year as well.
Practice question- revere verb
to feel deep respect and admiration for someone or something
- honor deeply
- venerate
- admire
Many young carpenters revere the old craftsman who built the town's covered bridge.
Practice question- revise verb
to go back over something and change it to make it better
- look over and improve
- edit
- update
After the inspection, the electrician had to revise his wiring plan for the garage.
Practice question- rigid adjective
hard and not able to bend or be moved easily
- stiff
- inflexible
- firm
The plumber replaced the rigid metal pipe with a flexible hose under the sink.
Practice question- robust adjective
strong and well built, able to handle rough use
- sturdy
- tough
- durable
Engineers chose a robust pump that could keep running through dust storms and floods.
Practice question- routine adjective
done regularly as a normal part of a process; ordinary
- usual
- regular
- standard
The dentist said the cleaning was routine and would take only half an hour.
Practice question- row noun
a straight line of people or things placed side by side
- line
- file
- tier
The farmer planted a long row of corn beside the fence.
Practice question- run verb
to manage or be in charge of a business or operation
- manage
- operate
- oversee
My aunt has run the hardware store on Main Street for twenty years.
Practice question
S
- salvage verb
to rescue something from loss or damage
- save
- rescue
- recover
Divers worked for days to salvage the cargo from the sunken fishing boat.
Practice question- sanctioned verb
punished someone officially for breaking a rule
- penalized
- punished
- disciplined
The trade group sanctioned the contractor for ignoring safety codes and suspended his license for a year.
Practice question- scale noun
the overall size or extent of something
- extent
- size
- scope
The scale of the cleanup after the hurricane required crews from four different states.
Practice question- scarce adjective
hard to find because there is not enough of it
- in short supply
- rare
- lacking
Fresh fruit was scarce at the remote outpost, so canned peaches became a prized treat.
Practice question- scarcity noun
a lack of something because there is not enough of it
- shortage
- lack
- deficiency
A scarcity of skilled electricians pushed wages higher across the state.
Practice question- scope noun
the range or extent of what something deals with or includes
- range covered
- extent
- reach
The scope of the kitchen remodel grew once the plumber found rotten pipes under the floor.
Practice question- seasonal adjective
happening or available only during certain parts of the year
- occurring at certain times of year
- periodic
- temporary
The ski resort hires seasonal staff each winter to run the lifts.
Practice question- secure verb
to fasten or attach something firmly so it will not move
- fasten
- tie down
- lock
Deckhands secure the cargo with chains before the ship heads into rough seas.
Practice question- seizure noun
the act of taking property by legal authority or force
- confiscation
- capture
- taking
The court ordered the seizure of the company's trucks to pay its unpaid taxes.
Practice question- semiarid adjective
fairly dry, with little rain but not a true desert
- somewhat dry
- dry
- steppe-like
Ranchers in the semiarid region rely on wells to water their cattle.
Practice question- sensible adjective
showing good judgment and common sense
- practical
- wise
- reasonable
Packing a spare tire and a flashlight is a sensible step before any long road trip.
Practice question- sensitive adjective
quick to react to even tiny changes, bumps, or forces
- easily affected
- delicate
- responsive
The lab scale is so sensitive that a breath of air from the vent changes its reading.
Practice question- sentry noun
a soldier or guard stationed at a spot to keep watch
- guard
- lookout
- watchman
A sentry stood at the harbor entrance, checking each boat that came in after dark.
Practice question- settlement noun
an agreement that ends an argument or conflict
- resolution
- agreement
- deal
The landlord and tenant reached a settlement over the damaged carpet without going to court.
Practice question- sheds verb
loses or drops something naturally, like hair, skin, or leaves
- loses
- drops
- casts off
The snake sheds its skin several times a year as it grows.
Practice question- shrinkage noun
the amount by which something becomes smaller
- reduction in size
- contraction
- decrease
The builder left small gaps between the boards to allow for shrinkage as the wood dried.
Practice question- skeptical adjective
not easily convinced and wanting proof before believing something
- doubtful
- questioning
- unconvinced
The lab director was skeptical of the startling results and asked the team to repeat the experiment.
Practice question- slick adjective
smooth and wet or oily, so that feet or tires slide easily
- slippery
- greasy
- slithery
After the oil spill, the garage floor was so slick that the mechanic laid down absorbent mats.
Practice question- sluggish adjective
moving or reacting slowly, with little energy
- slow-moving
- lethargic
- listless
In the freezing cold, the old truck's engine was sluggish and took minutes to start.
Practice question- snowballed verb
grew bigger and faster, the way a rolling ball of snow does
- grew rapidly
- escalated
- mushroomed
A few customer complaints snowballed into a full recall of the faulty heaters.
Practice question- somber adjective
dark, serious, and sad in mood or feeling
- gloomy
- grave
- mournful
The ceremony honoring the fallen sailors was somber, and no one spoke above a whisper.
Practice question- sound adjective
in good condition and strong; not damaged or weak
- solid
- sturdy
- stable
The engineer said the ship's hull was sound despite the dents from the storm.
Practice question- sparse adjective
spread thinly with lots of empty space between
- thinly scattered
- meager
- few
Traffic on the highway was sparse at three in the morning, so the drive went quickly.
Practice question- sporadic adjective
happening only now and then, without a steady pattern
- irregular
- occasional
- scattered
Sporadic gunfire echoed across the valley, but the patrol reached the outpost without trouble.
Practice question- spring noun
a coil of metal that stretches or compresses and bounces back
- coiled metal part
- coil
The gunsmith replaced the worn spring inside the rifle's magazine.
Practice question- spurious adjective
not genuine or valid, though made to look real
- false
- fake
- bogus
The scientist rejected the spurious data point, which came from a broken sensor.
Practice question- staples noun
basic everyday items, especially foods, that people need and use regularly
- basic supplies
- essentials
- basics
Before the blizzard, shoppers stocked up on staples like bread, milk, eggs and canned soup.
Practice question- stationary adjective
not moving; staying in one place
- motionless
- still
- unmoving
She rode a stationary bike in the gym while watching the news.
Practice question- steadfast adjective
firmly loyal or determined and not easily changed
- firm and unwavering
- loyal
- resolute
Through two deployments, her steadfast support kept the family strong at home.
Practice question- steadiness noun
the quality of being firm, balanced, and not shaking
- stability
- firmness
- balance
A surgeon needs great steadiness of hand during delicate operations.
Practice question- stern adjective
serious and strict, showing disapproval
- strict
- severe
- harsh
The shop foreman gave a stern warning about wearing hard hats at all times.
Practice question- stingy adjective
unwilling to spend or share money or things
- tightfisted
- cheap
- miserly
The stingy restaurant owner refused to buy his cooks a new oven.
Practice question- stock noun
a supply of goods kept ready for use or sale
- supply
- inventory
- store
The field kitchen keeps a stock of canned food in case deliveries are delayed.
Practice question- strengthen verb
to make something stronger or more solid
- reinforce
- fortify
- bolster
Daily stretching and light weights can strengthen the muscles that support your lower back.
Practice question- strike verb
to remove or cross out something from a list or record
- delete
- remove
- cross out
The editor asked me to strike the last paragraph because the article ran too long.
Practice question- stringent adjective
very strict and demanding, allowing almost no exceptions
- strict
- rigorous
- tough
The clean room has stringent rules: workers must wear gowns, masks and gloves at all times.
Practice question- submerge verb
to go or put completely below the surface of water
- sink
- dive
- immerse
Before painting, submerge the brush in water for a few minutes to soften the bristles.
Practice question- subordinate adjective
lower in rank, power, or importance
- lower-ranking
- secondary
- junior
In the kitchen, the line cooks hold subordinate positions and follow the head chef's directions.
Practice question- substandard adjective
not meeting the expected or required level of quality
- below the required level
- inferior
- poor
The landlord was fined for renting out apartments with substandard wiring and plumbing.
Practice question- subtle adjective
so slight or delicate that it is hard to notice
- barely noticeable
- faint
- slight
The chef added a subtle hint of lemon that most diners could barely taste.
Practice question- suit noun
a legal case brought against someone in court
- lawsuit
- legal action
- case
The tenants filed a suit against their landlord over the broken heating system.
Practice question- superficial adjective
only on the surface, not deep or serious
- shallow
- minor
- skin-deep
The hailstorm left only superficial dents on the car's hood, so repairs were cheap.
Practice question- surcharge noun
an additional charge added on top of the normal price
- extra fee
- added charge
- additional cost
The moving company added a surcharge for carrying the piano up three flights of stairs.
Practice question- surpassing verb
going beyond a set amount, level, or record
- exceeding
- outdoing
- topping
The new bridge is surpassing all expectations, carrying twice the traffic engineers predicted.
Practice question- surreptitious adjective
done quietly and in hiding so that others will not notice
- secret
- sneaky
- covert
During the long briefing, he took a surreptitious glance at his phone under the table.
Practice question- suspended verb
stopped something for a while before letting it start again
- stopped for a time
- paused
- halted
The airline suspended all flights until the snowstorm passed.
Practice question- sustainable adjective
able to keep going for a long time without running out or causing harm
- able to be maintained over time
- renewable
- lasting
The village switched to sustainable farming methods that keep the soil healthy for future crops.
Practice question- sustained adjective
kept going steadily for a long time without stopping
- continued without letup
- prolonged
- constant
The bridge was built to handle sustained winds of over one hundred miles per hour.
Practice question- synchronized verb
made things happen at the same time or show the same time
- set to show the same time
- coordinated
- aligned
The stage crew synchronized the lights and music so both changed on the same beat.
Practice question- synopsis noun
a short summary giving the main points of something longer
- brief summary
- outline
- overview
The back cover of the novel offers a one-paragraph synopsis of the plot.
Practice question
T
- table verb
to put off discussing a matter until a later time
- postpone
- shelve
- defer
The town council chose to table the zoning question until the engineers finished their survey.
Practice question- tacit adjective
understood without being spoken or written down
- implied
- unspoken
- understood
The roommates had a tacit agreement that whoever cooked dinner would not have to wash the dishes.
Practice question- tactless adjective
saying things without caring whether they hurt or embarrass others
- hurtfully blunt
- insensitive
- undiplomatic
His tactless comment about the bride's dress silenced the whole table at the wedding.
Practice question- tear verb
to pull something apart so that it rips
- rip
- split
- shred
Be careful not to tear the shipping label when you peel it off the box.
Practice question- tedious adjective
boring and tiring because it is long, slow, or repetitive
- tiresome
- dull
- monotonous
Entering hundreds of lab results into the spreadsheet by hand was tedious work.
Practice question- temper verb
to make something less harsh or intense
- soften
- moderate
- tone down
The nurse tried to temper the bad news with words of hope for recovery.
Practice question- tenacious adjective
refusing to give up or let go
- persistent
- determined
- stubborn
The tenacious reporter called the agency every day for a month until she got an answer.
Practice question- tentative adjective
not settled or certain and still open to change
- not yet final
- provisional
- uncertain
We made tentative plans to visit Grandma in July, depending on my leave dates.
Practice question- tenuous adjective
weak and easily broken or lost
- shaky
- flimsy
- fragile
The hikers kept only a tenuous radio connection with base camp in the deep canyon.
Practice question- terse adjective
using very few words, often in a short or curt way
- brief
- curt
- concise
The pilot sent a terse radio message: fuel low, returning to base.
Practice question- thrifty adjective
careful with money and resources, avoiding waste
- economical
- frugal
- sparing
My thrifty grandmother saved every rubber band and twist tie in a kitchen drawer.
Practice question- timely adjective
happening at the right moment, without delay
- prompt
- well-timed
- punctual
The plumber's timely arrival stopped the burst pipe from flooding the basement.
Practice question- timid adjective
easily frightened and lacking confidence, especially around other people
- shy
- fearful
- bashful
The timid new recruit barely spoke during his first week in the barracks.
Practice question- tireless adjective
working hard for a long time without getting worn out
- never weary
- untiring
- energetic
The tireless volunteers stacked sandbags all night to protect the town from the flood.
Practice question- tone noun
the attitude or feeling shown in the way something is said or written
- attitude
- manner
- mood
The captain's calm tone over the intercom reassured the nervous passengers.
Practice question- torrent noun
a fast, powerful, rushing stream of water
- violent rush of water
- flood
- deluge
After the dam gate opened, a torrent of water roared down the spillway.
Practice question- trained verb
pointed or directed something, such as a light or weapon, at a target
- aimed
- pointed
- directed
The astronomer trained her telescope on the faint comet just above the eastern horizon.
Practice question- transcontinental adjective
stretching or traveling across an entire continent
- crossing a continent
- coast-to-coast
- cross-country
The first transcontinental railroad linked the eastern states with California in 1869.
Practice question- transcription noun
a written copy of something that was spoken or recorded
- written record
- transcript
- written copy
The doctor reviewed the transcription of her dictated notes before adding it to the chart.
Practice question- transfer verb
to move or be moved from one place, job, or unit to another
- move
- relocate
- shift
The hospital will transfer the patient to a larger trauma center by helicopter tonight.
Practice question- transient adjective
lasting or staying only a short time
- temporary
- passing
- brief
The airport lounge was full of transient travelers waiting for connecting flights.
Practice question- transmits verb
sends a signal, message, or thing from one place to another
- sends
- broadcasts
- relays
The tracking collar transmits the bear's location to researchers every hour.
Practice question- transparent adjective
clear enough that light passes through and objects behind can be seen
- see-through
- clear
The scientist stored the samples in transparent containers so she could watch them change color.
Practice question- treacherous adjective
full of hidden or unexpected dangers; unsafe
- dangerous
- hazardous
- perilous
Sailors avoid the treacherous channel where sharp rocks hide just below the surface.
Practice question- trilateral adjective
involving or agreed upon by three sides or groups
- involving three parties
- three-sided
The three neighboring towns held trilateral talks about sharing one fire station.
Practice question- trivial adjective
of little value or importance
- unimportant
- minor
- petty
The inspector ignored trivial scratches on the paint and focused on the cracked axle.
Practice question
U
- unanimous adjective
fully agreed on by every person involved, with no one opposed
- agreed on by all
- undisputed
- united
The crew's vote to keep the night shift schedule was unanimous.
Practice question- unassailable adjective
so strong or certain it cannot be attacked or doubted
- impossible to challenge
- undeniable
- airtight
With a twenty-point lead in the final minute, the team's position was unassailable.
Practice question- unassuming adjective
quiet and humble, not seeking attention or praise
- modest
- humble
- low-key
The unassuming chemist rarely mentioned that her research had won a national award.
Practice question- undercut verb
to sell at a lower price than a competitor
- price below
- underprice
- beat on price
The airline undercut its competitors by offering cheaper flights to the coast all summer.
Practice question- unfasten verb
to open or loosen something that is fixed, buckled, or tied
- release
- undo
- unbuckle
Passengers should not unfasten their seat belts until the plane has come to a full stop.
Practice question- unwavering adjective
firm and steady, never changing or weakening
- steadfast
- constant
- resolute
The nurse showed unwavering patience with every patient during the long overnight shift.
Practice question- unwieldy adjective
hard to move, carry, or manage because of size or shape
- awkward to handle
- bulky
- clumsy
The unwieldy tent bag kept banging against the hikers' legs on the narrow trail.
Practice question- urged verb
pushed someone strongly to do something
- strongly encouraged
- pressed
- pleaded with
The travel agent urged us to buy insurance before booking the trip during hurricane season.
Practice question- utensils noun
tools used for cooking, serving, or eating food
- cooking tools
- kitchenware
- implements
Before the camping trip, she packed a pot, a frying pan and a bag of utensils.
Practice question
V
- vacant adjective
not occupied or used by anyone; with nobody in it
- empty
- unoccupied
- available
We parked in the only vacant spot left in the hotel garage.
Practice question- vague adjective
not clear, exact, or detailed; leaving things uncertain
- imprecise
- unclear
- fuzzy
The travel agent gave vague directions, so we got lost looking for the hotel.
Practice question- variable adjective
likely to change or shift from time to time
- changeable
- fluctuating
- inconsistent
Mountain weather is highly variable, so hikers should pack layers for sun and snow.
Practice question- variation noun
a change or difference from the usual or from something similar
- difference
- change
- deviation
The thermometer showed only a small variation in temperature between morning and night.
Practice question- varied adjective
including many different kinds or types
- diverse
- assorted
- mixed
The base library offers a varied selection of books, movies, and magazines for every age.
Practice question- vast adjective
extremely large in size, amount, or area
- immense
- huge
- enormous
The cargo ship crossed a vast desert of water with no land in sight for days.
Practice question- veracity noun
the quality of being true, honest, or accurate
- truthfulness
- accuracy
- honesty
The reporter checked two other sources to confirm the veracity of the witness's statement.
Practice question- verbatim adverb
word for word, repeating the exact same words with no changes
- exactly as written
- word for word
- precisely
The radio operator repeated the coordinates verbatim so the pilot could confirm there was no mistake.
Practice question- verbose adjective
using far more words than needed to say something
- wordy
- long-winded
- rambling
The verbose safety briefing ran forty minutes when ten would have covered every point.
Practice question- verify verb
to check that something is true or correct
- confirm
- check
- make sure
The cashier had to verify my ID before selling me the cold medicine.
Practice question- vigilant adjective
carefully watching for possible danger or trouble
- watchful
- alert
- attentive
Lifeguards must stay vigilant all afternoon, even when the beach seems calm.
Practice question- visible adjective
able to be seen with the eyes
- able to be seen
- in view
- noticeable
Rust spots were visible on the hull once the boat was pulled out of the water.
Practice question- vocation noun
the kind of work a person feels strongly drawn or suited to do
- calling
- career
- life's work
Teaching welding to young apprentices turned out to be her real vocation.
Practice question- volatile adjective
likely to change suddenly and unpredictably, often for the worse
- unstable
- explosive
- unpredictable
Fuel prices have been volatile this year, jumping up and down from week to week.
Practice question- volume noun
the amount or quantity of something, especially a large one
- amount
- quantity
- load
The help desk saw a huge volume of calls after the new software update.
Practice question
W
- wary adjective
careful and watchful because something might be dangerous
- cautious
- alert
- guarded
The electrician stayed wary of the old wiring and tested every line before touching it.
Practice question- widen verb
to make or become broader from side to side
- broaden
- expand
- enlarge
The highway crew will widen the road to add a turning lane near the school.
Practice question- wind verb
to coil or wrap something around itself or another object
- coil
- wrap
- reel
Wind the extension cord neatly around your elbow and hand before storing it in the truck.
Practice question
Y
- yielded verb
produced or gave a crop, result, or amount
- produced
- generated
- supplied
The new drilling method yielded twice as much oil as the old wells.
Practice question
Z
- zealous adjective
full of strong enthusiasm and energy for a cause or task
- intensely eager
- passionate
- fervent
The zealous recruit was always first in formation and last to leave the training field.
Practice question
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