The Verbose Insomniacs
Group 1
Abhor: hate
Bigot: narrow-minded, prejudiced person
Counterfeit: fake; false
Enfranchise: give voting rights
Hamper: hinder; obstruct
Kindle: to start a fire
Noxious: harmful; poisonous; lethal
Placid: calm; peaceful
Remuneration: payment for work done
Talisman: lucky charm
Group 4
Abrogate: cancel; deny; repeal
Blasphemy: speech which offends religious sentiments
Credible: believable
Enigma: puzzle; mystery
Harbingers: indicators; bringers of warnings
Labyrinthine: complicated; highly convoluted
Nuzzle: cuddle; snuggle
Plaudit: statement giving strong praise
Reprehensible: shameful; very bad
Tardy: slow; late; overdue; delayed
Group 7
Abstemious: self denying; refraining from indulging
Blithe: free-spirited; carefree
Crepuscular: active at dawn and dusk
Enunciation: clear pronunciation; accent; articulation
Headstrong: stubborn; willful
Lackluster: dull; monotonous; bland
Objective: unbiased; not subjective
Pliable: flexible; not stubborn
Rescind: retract; repeal
Temper: to moderate; soften
Group 3
Abasement: humiliation; degradation
Billowing: swelling; fluttering; waving
Cower: recoil in fear or servility; shrink away from
Enhance: improve; make better or clearer
Harangue: noisy, attacking speech
Labyrinth: a maze
Nullify: to counter; make unimportant
Plaintiff: petitioner (in court of law)
Replete: full
Tangible: can be touched
Group 8
Abstruse: difficult to understand; obscure
Blunderbuss: 1. ancient weapon (type of gun); 2. a clumsy person
Cringe: recoil; flinch; shy away
Envenom: to cause bitterness and bad feeling
Hedonism: self indulgence; pleasure-seeking
Laconic: using few words; brief; to the point
Oblique: indirect; slanting
Plumage: feathers of a bird
Resignation: acceptance of fate
Tenacious: stubborn; resolute; holding firm to a purpose
Group 5
Absolution: forgiveness; pardon; release
Blatant: obvious
Creditable: praiseworthy
Ensconce: establish firmly in a position
Hasten: hurry; accelerate; rush
Laceration: a cut
Obdurate: stubborn
Plausible: can be believed; reasonable
Reprieve: a respite; postponement of a sentence
Tawdry: of little value; gaudy
Group 9
Accolade: tribute; honor; praise
Bolster: support; prop up
Cryptic: puzzling; enigmatic
Ephemeral: short-lived
Hedonist: a pleasure seeker
Lamentation: expression of regret or sorrow
Obliterate: destroy; demolish; eradicate
Plummet: fall suddenly and steeply
Resolution: determination
Tentative: not certain
Group 2
Abrasive: rough; coarse; harsh
Bilk: cheat; defraud
Covert: hidden; undercover
Engender: cause
Hangar: storage area (like garage) for a plane
Knotty: complex; difficult to solve
Nuance: something subtle; a fine shade of meaning
Plagiarism: taking credit for someone else's writing or ideas
Renown: fame
Tangent: going off the main subject
Group 6
Abstain: desist; go without; withdraw
Blighted: damaged; destroyed; ruined
Credulous: gullible; ready to believe anything
Enshroud: cover
Haughtiness: arrogance; pride
Lachrymose: tearful; sad
Obfuscate: deliberately make something difficult to understand
Plethora: an excess
Repudiate: shun; eschew
Tedium: boredom
Group 10
Acquiesce: to agree to; give in to
Bombast: arrogant, pompous language
Curtail: cut short
Epicure: someone who appreciates good food and drink
Heed: listen to
Lampoon: ridicule; spoof
Oblivious: totally unaware
Podium: raised platform
Resonant: echoing
Tenuous: flimsy; not solid