consign (verb) Definition: 1. to give someone something for care and safekeeping; 2. to get rid of something; 3. to commit or assign to something, especially something unpleasant Example Sentences: – We consigned our ailing...

antipathy (noun) Definition: 1. strongly negative feeling toward something or somebody; 2. the object of negative feelings or hostility and something to be avoided Example Sentences: – The antipathy between celebrities and the paparazzi is...

exert (verb) Definition:  1. to apply influence, power, or authority in order to effect situation; 2. to make a great physical or mental effort Example Sentences: – Foster parents are supposed to exert parental control...

sojourn (noun, verb) Definition: (n.) a short or temporary visit; (v.) to stay for a short time Example Sentences: – We took a five-day sojourn to Mexico last spring. (vacation) noun – We will sojourn in...

gumption (noun) Definition: 1. good common sense and practical judgment; 2. the courage and determination to take action Example Sentences: – You have to give the young manager credit for gumption, as he was not...

reciprocity (noun) Definition:  1. mutual exchange of favors; 2. a relationship characterized by mutual dependency or actions Example Sentences: – It was a matter of reciprocity; since he broke a promise, so would she. (mutuality,...

disposition (noun) Definition: 1. personality or temperament, including a person’s typical mood and attitude; 2. a natural tendency; 3. arrangement, organization, or control; 4. a settlement or resolution Example Sentences: – Few things could upset...

besmirch (verb) Definition: 1. to sully or damage someone’s name or reputation; 2. to soil, smear, or make something dirty Example Sentences: – Political candidates are known to stoop to low levels in order to...

contempt (noun) Definition: willful and open disrespect Example Sentences: – I have nothing but contempt for people who lie, cheat, and steal. (disgust, loathing) – He is very contemptuous of people who don’t work hard...

disingenuous (adjective) Definition: 1. failing to reveal the full story or whole truth; 2. appearing sincere, but actually being false and insincere Example Sentences: – Her disingenuous retelling of the story made her out to...

discreet (adjective) Definition: 1. capable of keeping secrets; 2. careful to avoid embarrassing or upsetting others Example Sentences: – I trust his judgment, so I will leave the decision to his discretion. (choice, freedom to...

capitalize (verb) Definition: 1. to benefit from or take advantage of something; 2. to finance something; 3. to exchange debt for stock; 4. to write in capital letters Example Sentences: – I’m capitalizing on my...

aghast (adjective) Definition: horrified or struck with amazement Example Sentences: – The Principal was aghast at the lack of discipline she witnessed in Mr. Jones’ classroom. (appalled, horrified) – I am completely aghast at such...

parsimonious (adjective) Definition: unwilling to spend money Example Sentences: – His mother’s parsimonious habit of reusing aluminum foil drove him crazy. (penny-pinching) – He is simply too parsimonious to buy a new pair of shoes...

autonomous (adjective) Definition: 1. existing as an independent entity (especially in government); 2. free from external constraint; 3. able to make free and independent decisions Example Sentences: – Some people have expressed the opinion that...

ebullient (adjective) Definition: 1. full of cheerful excitement or enthusiasm; 2. moving in a rapid, agitated, and irregular fashion. Example Sentences: – The river rafters eyed with excitement the ebullient water ahead. (agitated, bubbling) –...

foreboding (noun) Definition: the feeling or sense that something bad is going to happen Example Sentences: – For some reason, stormy weather gives me a sense of foreboding. (apprehension, fear) – The ominous look on...

expedient (adjective, noun) Definition: (adj.) 1. convenient as a means to an end, sometimes not morally acceptable; 2. governed by self-interest; (n.) a means to an end, often not principled or ethical Example Sentences: –...

defy (verb) Definition: 1. to openly challenge authority or power; 2. to challenge someone to do something; 3. to fail to be explained by something Example Sentences: – Brian defied his parents’ orders and went...

expatriate (verb, noun) Definition: (v.) 1. to banish or exile someone from a country; 2. to permanently leave one’s country; (n.) an expatriated person Example Sentences: – Hemingway was an American expatriate who wrote of...

inflammatory (adjective) Definition: 1. likely to cause a strong emotional response, especially anger; 2. characterized by inflammation Example Sentences: – His speech was so inflammatory it started a riot. (angering, incendiary) – According to the...

regal (adjective) Definition: 1. suitable for royalty; 2. of noteworthy excellence or magnificence Example Sentences: – The Academy Award ceremony is an occasion where celebrities outfit themselves in regal attire and walk the red carpet...

didactic (adjective) Definition: 1. tending to give instruction or advice, even when it is neither welcome or necessary; 2. containing a political or moral message Example Sentences: – The movie was somewhat entertaining, but it...

seminal (adjective) Definition: 1. original and influential, especially of ideas revolutionary for their time; 2. containing or contributing the seeds of later development Example Sentences: – It was a seminal movie that changed the way...