Word List 2

prying [ˈpraɪɪŋ]

【释】adj. 窥视的 trying to find out about other people's private lives

【例】The maid was fired as she was caught snooping around the master bedroom and prying into the personal lives of her clients.

inhibit [ɪnˈhɪbɪt]

【释】v. 抑制，限制 to hold in check

【例】Laws inhibit citizens from doing whatever they please.

【选】hinder, bridle, suppress

【反】catalyze

【派】inhibitor（n. 抑制物）

censure [ˈsenʃər]

【释】v. 指责 to criticize severely; to blame

【例】Book reviewers who are reluctant to openly censure a book may imply their criticism by avoiding enthusiastic praise.

【选】reprehend

【派】censorious（adj. 苛求的）

peripatetic [ˌperipəˈtetɪk]

【释】adj. 巡游的 itinerant; traveling from place to place

【例】The peripatetic monk roamed from monastery to monastery on Mt. Athos.

【选】itinerant

【反】stationary

stringent [ˈstrɪndʒənt]

【释】adj. 非常严格的 very strict or severe

【例】With age, Mary started to appreciate that the stringent upbringing she used to despise had actually inculcated in her a sense of discipline and humility.

dwindle [ˈdwɪndl]

【释】v. 减少，下降 to gradually become smaller

【例】After months of unemployment, the man's bank account dwindled to nothing.

【选】contract

【反】increase

underrate [ˌʌndəˈreɪt]

【释】v. 低估 to rate or value （someone or something） too low

【例】The fact that the world is round is so much taken for granted today that there is a tendency to underrate its significance when it was first proven.

incursion [ɪnˈkɜːrʒn]

【释】n. 侵入，侵犯 a hostile entrance into a territory

【例】The Huns made incursions into central Europe and defeated many standing armies.

【反】retreat

【派】incur（v. 获得，招惹）

【释】n. 进入 an entering in or into

【例】Every October, Canadian Geese make a loud incursion into New England.

pastiche [pæˈstiːʃ]

【释】n. 【贬】模仿作品 a work that imitates the style of previous works

【例】The critic described the work as pastiche and lacking its own sense of originality.

【释】n. 混合物 a mixture of different things

【例】The columnist commented that New York is a pastiche of cursing and kvetching and laughing too loud, unlike Boston which is less cacophonous.

【选】hodgepodge

dishearten [dɪsˈhɑːrtn]

【释】v. 使…士气低落 to cause (a person or group of people) to lose hope, enthusiasm, or courage

【例】It is unavoidable for physicians to be disheartened when they see their patients dying from preventable causes.

【选】depress, dismay

【派】hearten（v. 鼓舞）

emulate [ˈemjuleɪt]

【释】v. 模仿，通过模仿而超越 to strive to equal or excel

【例】The feminist poet's witty diatribes against social convention were so often emulated by other writers that her style became conventional.

【选】imitate

【反】innovate, originality

adduce [əˈduːs]

【释】v. 引用…证明 to mention or provide (something, such as a fact or example) as evidence or proof to support an argument

【例】Not studying, skipping class, being lazy, and never doing homework were all reasons adduced to explain why Zhangjie failed his important test.

emblematic [ˌembləˈmætɪk]

【释】adj. 象征的，代表的 representing something (such as an idea, state, or emotion) that cannot be seen by itself

【例】Folk painter Grandma Moses has become such an enduring icon that many consider her emblematic of America.

【选】totemic

indict [ɪnˈdaɪt]

【释】v. 指控 to charge with a fault or offense

【例】A biography must fairly depict both the strengths and the weaknesses of the subject, and avoid overly praising or indicting parties concerned.

【选】excoriate

【派】indictment（n. 控诉）

discontinue [ˌdɪskənˈtɪnjuː]

【释】v. 终止 to end (something)

【例】Germany announced that it would discontinue all nuclear power generation by 2022.

wary [ˈweri]

【释】adj. 谨慎小心的 marked by keen caution, cunning, and watchfulness, especially in detecting and escaping danger

【例】Not wishing to shock her conservative teachers, Helen was wary of attempting radical new artistic styles in her paintings.

opprobrium [əˈproʊbriəm]

【释】n. 辱骂 very strong disapproval or criticism of a person or thing especially by a large number of people

【例】Politicians choose to be public figures who expose themselves to the possibility of public criticism and opprobrium.

【选】vitriol, disdain

【反】irreproachable

【派】opprobrious（adj. 骂人的，侮辱的）

aesthetic [esˈθetɪk]

【释】adj. 美学的 of or relating to art or beauty

【例】I bought the paintings not because they were famous, but because they were bold and gave great aesthetic pleasure.

【释】adj. 吸引人的 pleasing in appearance

【例】The architect was lauded for constructing an aesthetic rather than a utilitarian building as it perfectly merged form and function.

expedite [ˈekspədaɪt]

【释】v. 加速，加快 to cause (something) to happen faster

【例】Since regular shipping would take weeks, the student had no choice but to pay extra fees to expedite the shipping of his textbooks.

【选】facilitate, accelerate

【派】expedient（adj. 有利的，出于私利的）

captivate [ˈkæptɪveɪt]

【释】v. 吸引 to attract and hold the attention of (someone) by being interesting, pretty, etc.

【例】Steve was captivated by the intricacy of the ice crystals forming on his windowpane and couldn't take his eyes off them.

【选】enamored

irreversible [ˌɪrɪˈvɜːrsəbl]

【释】adj. 不可逆的 impossible to change back to a previous condition or state

【例】Global warming will have severe, pervasive and irreversible effects if we do not act fast enough now.

emotive [iˈmoʊtɪv]

【释】adj. 引起情绪的 causing strong emotions for or against something

【例】During an emotive outburst, Alex Rodriguez kicked dirt over the home plate and yelled at the umpire.

refine [rɪˈfaɪn]

【释】v. 提纯 to remove the unwanted substances in (something)

【例】After gold is mined, it must be refined to remove dirt and base metals.

【释】v. 提升，提高 to improve (something) by making small changes

【例】The techniques now available to livestock breeders will be refined to increase the chances of breeding top-quality animals.

exhilarate [ɪɡˈzɪləreɪt]

【释】v. 使…喜悦或兴奋 to cause (someone) to feel very happy and excited

【例】The car ride exhilarated the children, who loved speeding up and down the mountain curves.

solitary [ˈsɑːləteri]

【释】adj. 单独的 not involving or including anyone or anything else

【例】Thomas Edison found collaboration essential and debunked the popular stereotype of the solitary inventor who struggled alone in a garret.

jar [dʒɑːr]

【释】v. 使…不安 to make (someone) feel uneasy

【例】The loud music and chaotic lighting of the dance club jarred her senses so much that she had to leave after a few minutes.

【释】v. 抵触，冲突 to clash or conflict

【例】I found the play very unsettling as its realistic plot and characters jarred with the dystopian themes and setting.

【派】jarring（adj. 相冲突的）

unfettered [ʌnˈfetərd]

【释】adj. 不受限制的，自由的 not controlled or restricted

【例】Twitter makes unfettered communication possible, which allows ideas to spread but creates the possibility for abuse.

flummery [ˈflʌməri]

【释】n. 假恭维 meaningless or deceptive language

【例】The actor is seen as unpretentious because he tries to avoid the flattery and flummery that his celebrity brings.

implacable [ɪmˈplækəbl]

【释】adj. 不能安抚的，毫不妥协的 opposed to someone or something in a very angry or determined way that cannot be changed

【例】The manager refused to lay off any of his employees and remained implacable even when the board pressured him.

【选】unyielding, inexorable

arduous [ˈɑːrdʒuəs]

【释】adj. 困难的 demanding great effort or labor; difficult

【例】Although many of the students found the assignment arduous, Harrison completed it with ease.

【释】adj. 艰难的 testing severely the powers of endurance; strenuous

【例】After encountering many dangers, Bilbo Baggins finally completed his arduous trek across Middle Earth.

【选】taxing, laborious

conciliatory [kənˈsɪliətɔːri]

【释】adj. 安抚的，调和的 having the intention or effect of making angry people calm

【例】Superintendent Reynolds is predicted to have a less confrontational term of office than her predecessor as she is more conciliatory and would be able to appease disgruntled citizens.

【选】placatory

optimism [ˈɑːptɪmɪzəm]

【释】n. 乐观 a feeling or belief that good things will happen in the future

【例】Although numerous setbacks and surprises await them in the weeks of negotiations ahead, leaders of both parties are full of optimism that their differences can be resolved.

【派】optimistic（adj. 乐观的）

vindicate [ˈvɪndɪkeɪt]

【释】v. 证明…的清白 to show that (someone) should not be blamed for a crime, mistake, etc.

【例】After the real murderer confessed, the accused man was quickly vindicated and freed from jail.

【选】defense, exonerate, exculpate

【反】calumniate

malady [ˈmælədi]

【释】n. 疾病 a disease or illness

【例】The villagers believed that some evil spell had settled on their community after a mysterious malady swept through the flocks of chickens and resulted in gruesome deaths.

warrant [ˈwɔːrənt]

【释】v. 保证 to give assurance

【例】The king warranted that all his knights had behaved honorably while on their quest.

【释】v. 为…提供依据 to serve as or give adequate ground or reason for

【例】The students felt that Prof. Nardin's meticulous teaching warranted the university's recognition so they wrote a letter of nomination for her to be awarded the next teaching prize.

【派】unwarranted（adj. 毫无依据的）

puncture [ˈpʌŋktʃər]

【释】v. 刺穿 to make a hole (in something) with a sharp point

【例】Sunfish have sharp spines that will puncture the skin if not handled with care.

【释】v. 削弱，使…无效 to make useless or ineffective as if by a puncture

【例】Her sense of jubilation at receiving an award was instantly punctured by the delivery of very tragic news.

ascribe [əˈskraɪb]

【释】v. 归因于 to think of as coming from a specified cause, source, or author

【例】It's absurd to ascribe personality traits to an entire generation.

clandestine [klænˈdestɪn]

【释】adj. 秘密的，隐蔽的 done secretly

【例】To keep their negotiations secret, the leaders of rival groups in the country arranged clandestine meetings.

【选】covert, surreptitious

equivocal [ɪˈkwɪvəkl]

【释】adj. 模棱两可的，有歧义的 having two or more possible meanings

【例】Because the columnist's published opinions were undeniably equivocal, we were left wondering what her true intentions were.

【选】ambiguous

elucidate [iˈluːsɪdeɪt]

【释】v. 阐释，阐明 to make something (typically hard to understand) clear or easy to understand

【例】The professor tried to elucidate the essential concepts of thermodynamics to the confused students.

propaganda [ˌprɑːpəˈɡændə]

【释】n. 政治宣传 ideas or statements that are often false or exaggerated and that are spread in order to help a cause, a political leader, a government, etc.

【例】During World War I, the use of posters quickly helped the US to spread their propaganda of Germans as bloodthirsty Huns.

putative [ˈpjuːtətɪv]

【释】adj. 公认的，假定的 generally believed or assumed to be something

【例】The putative effects of not having a college diploma are typically true, but a few individuals, such as Mark Zuckerberg, are exceptions.

conjecture [kənˈdʒektʃər]

【释】v. 猜测 to form an opinion or idea without proof or sufficient evidence

【例】Scientists require observable data, not conjecture, to support a hypothesis.

【选】speculate, uncertain

coalesce [ˌkoʊəˈles]

【释】v. 聚合，团结 to come together to form one group or mass

【例】The smartphone proved to be a great technological leap as it coalesced information into a single, personal object.

【派】coalition（n. 合并）

tractable [ˈtræktəbl]

【释】adj. 易管理的，易控制的 easily managed or controlled

【例】Many users find Mac OS more tractable and easier to navigate than the Windows interface.

【选】compliant

【反】incorrigible, headstrong, insoluble

【派】intractability（n. 桀骜不驯，难以管理）

warble [ˈwɔːrbl]

【释】v. 低吟浅唱 to sing a melody of low pleasing sounds

【例】Contestants in the talent show primped in the green room mirrors and warbled harmonies while waiting for their turn to impress the judges.

【选】croon

knotty [ˈnɑːti]

【释】adj. 复杂的 difficult or complicated

【例】The film Sullivan's Travels is a lighthearted comedy that also deals with knotty social and political issues.

【选】complicated

dichotomy [daɪˈkɑːtəmi]

【释】n. 矛盾的事物 something with seemingly contradictory qualities

【例】Tourism presents a dichotomy for nature conservation as tourists may play a big part in funding efforts but they also destroy habitats and ecosystems.

【选】contradictory

【释】n. 一分为二 bifurcation

【例】A dichotomy of two lizard populations resulted when one section of the species was cut off from the rest by a mountain range.

restive [ˈrestɪv]

【释】adj. 不服管理的 stubbornly resisting control

【例】The restive heir to the throne was assassinated by his rivals as he refused to submit to the king.

【选】intractable

【释】adj. 不安的，没有耐心的 marked by impatience or uneasiness

【例】The mother tried to silence the restive child by offering sweets.

【选】skittish, fractious

courteous [ˈkɜːrtiəs]

【释】adj. 有礼貌的 very polite in a way that shows respect

【例】Drivers here have never been courteous to cyclists, but the new traffic regulations and fines may persuade them to drive more considerately now.

【派】courtesy（n. 彬彬有礼）

invigorate [ɪnˈvɪɡəreɪt]

【释】v. 使…有活力 to give life and energy to

【例】The crisp mountain air of the Alps invigorated David's zest for life after months of boring and grueling office work.

【选】refreshing

【反】emaciate

【派】vigorous[adj. 精力充沛的（与spirited考同义词）]

truculent [ˈtrʌkjələnt]

【释】adj. 好争斗的 easily annoyed or angered and likely to argue

【例】Germany is in a truculent mood after years of footing the bills for successive Euro-crises.

【选】bellicose, combative, aggressive, pugnacious

【反】benevolent, gentle

【释】adj. 言语刻薄的 scathingly harsh

【例】Newspaper op-eds frequently offer truculent criticism of existing policies, rather than suggest improvements or new ideas.

congenial [kənˈdʒiːniəl]

【释】adj. 友善的 very friendly

【例】The new employee was unsure what to think of the CEO after colleagues described him alternately as congenial and tyrannical, generous and merciless.

【派】congeniality（n. 情投意合）

【释】adj. 适宜的，令人愉悦的 pleasant and harmonious

【例】To relax, I often listen to the congenial music of Bach and Mozart.

【释】adj. 意气相投的 having the same nature, disposition, or tastes

【例】I love hosting wine tastings and enjoying fine vintages with a congenial group of wine lovers.

insouciance [ɪnˈsuːsiəns]

【释】n. 无忧无虑，不操心 a feeling or appearance of not worrying about anything

【例】No one would have guessed that Blake was broke as he wore an expression of insouciance on his face every day.

【选】nonchalance

【派】insouciant（adj. 漫不经心的）

devastate [ˈdevəsteɪt]

【释】v. 严重破坏 to destroy much or most of (something)

【例】Studies have shown that pollutants that enter bodies of water through the sewage system can devastate fish populations.

【选】ruinous

【释】v. 使…痛苦 to cause (someone) to feel extreme emotional pain

【例】Her mother's passing devastated her so much that she could barely eat or sleep for weeks.

keen [kiːn]

【释】adj. 对…感兴趣的 very excited about and interested in something

【例】While some are keen to begin driving, I am terrified of getting behind the wheel.

【选】eager

【释】adj. 强烈的，浓烈的 pungent; acrid

【例】The keen smell of blue cheese made Tania feel sick in the stomach.

【释】adj. 聪明的，敏锐的 having or marked by intellectual quickness and acuity

【例】Given her keen intellect and creativity, it comes as no surprise that Sally has risen the ranks of her company in such a short time.

ethos [ˈiːθɑːs]

【释】n. （团体的）气质，氛围，信仰等 the distinguishing character, sentiment, moral nature, or guiding beliefs of a person, group, or organization

【例】A libertine's general ethos is the shameless pursuit of all pleasures.

flagrant [ˈfleɪɡrənt]

【释】adj. 臭名昭著的 so bad as to be impossible to overlook

【例】The coach was furious that the referee did not issue a penalty despite the flagrant foul committed by the striker.

【选】egregious

solitude [ˈsɑːlətuːd]

【释】n. 孤独 a state or situation in which one is alone, often by choice

【例】It is perfectly healthy for one to enjoy solitude without feeling lonely or in need of company.

anachronism [əˈnækrənɪzəm]

【释】n. 时代错乱 something (such as a word, an object, or an event) that is mistakenly placed in a time where it does not belong in a story, movie, etc.

【例】The presence of a ticking clock on a mantelpiece in Julius Caesar is a famous example of anachronism in literature.

【释】n. 不合时宜，过时 one that is out of its proper or chronological order, especially a person or practice that belongs to an earlier time

【例】The use of the abacus for calculations in Chinese medicine shops is an anachronism that has survived the ages.

turbid [ˈtɜːrbɪd]

【释】adj. 浑浊的 having sediment or foreign particles stirred up or suspended

【例】The river was turbid after several days of rain and stormy weather.

【反】limpid

【释】adj. 混乱的 in a state of turmoil

【例】The turbid frenzy of the crowd reached a hysterical note when the rock star finally appeared after a two-hour delay.

confine [kənˈfaɪn]

【释】v. 限制 to keep within limits

【例】Many animal rights advocates have protested to having large animals confined to cages and limited spaces in zoos.

【选】limit, circumscribe

venerate [ˈvenəreɪt]

【释】v. 尊敬 to feel or show deep respect for

【例】Martha Graham was venerated by her students and colleagues for her inventive and brilliant choreography.

【选】respect

【反】deride

【派】venerable（adj. 令人尊敬的），veneration（n. 尊敬）

premeditate [ˌpriːˈmedɪteɪt]

【释】v. 预谋，提前谋划 to think, consider, or deliberate beforehand

【例】The bank robbery was clearly premeditated as the burglars had foreseen all possible obstacles to their escape.

【反】impulse

insular [ˈɪnsələr]

【释】adj. 孤立的 separated from other people or cultures

【例】Honeybees tend to be less insular than earth bees as they search for food together and signal their individual findings to one another.

【释】adj. 思想狭隘的，守旧的 not knowing about or being interested in new or different ideas

【例】Amazonian tribes have been the subject of intense research as their insular nature has preserved a number of social habits that are long lost in the industrial world.

【选】provincial

【派】insularity（n. 狭隘）

consolidate [kənˈsɑːlɪdeɪt]

【释】v. 巩固 to make (something, such as a position of power or control) stronger or more secure

【例】After consolidating all rival companies under his control, the business tycoon finally held a monopoly over the fossil fuel industry.

【派】consolidation（n. 巩固）

upheaval [ʌpˈhiːvl]

【释】n. （引起混乱的）巨变 a major change or period of change that causes a lot of conflict, confusion, anger, etc.

【例】Although other European states broke apart under the stress of political upheaval, the seventeenth-century Dutch republic proved remarkably resilient.

【选】convulsion

unyielding [ʌnˈjiːldɪŋ]

【释】adj. 不妥协的，固执的 not changing or stopping

【例】Besides being smart and passionate, an innovator must also have an unyielding desire to succeed.

【选】implacable

mendacious [menˈdeɪʃəs]

【释】adj. 欺骗的，不诚实的 not honest

【例】Isn't it obvious that Hitler's propaganda was not only mendacious but downright evil?

【选】prevarication, disingenuous

【反】veracious

【派】mendacity（n. 欺骗）

sonorous [ˈsɑːnərəs]

【释】adj. 声音洪亮的 having a sound that is deep, loud, and pleasant

【例】The sonorous call of the French horn creates a stark contrast to the breathy notes of the piccolo.

fertile [ˈfɜːrtl]

【释】adj. 多产的（既可指农作物，也可以指思想、想法等） able to reproduce or to produce a large amount of something

【例】The odyssey, or a hero's journey, has been a fertile idea for all kinds of writers throughout history.

【选】bountiful

【反】impoverished

【派】fertility（n. 肥沃）

decadent [ˈdekədənt]

【释】adj. （思想）堕落的，颓废的 having low morals and a great love of pleasure, money, fame, etc.

【例】The reality star gave in to the decadent lifestyle of Hollywood with her growing fame and wealth.

【选】disreputable

【释】adj. 庸俗的、低俗的、媚俗的 attractive to people of low morals who are only interested in pleasure

【例】The formerly straight-A student became a decadent outcast when he became addicted to drugs.

indispensable [ˌɪndɪˈspensəbl]

【释】adj. 不可缺少的 extremely important and necessary

【例】Because howler monkeys rarely leave the trees in their arboreal habitat, the continued well-being of the rain forest is indispensable to their survival.

【选】essential, crucial

covert [ˈkoʊvɜːrt]

【释】adj. 秘密的，隐蔽的 secret or hidden

【例】President Reagan's national security adviser said that covert action in such regions as Central America was necessary to protect the United States' allies.

【选】clandestine

【反】open

instinct [ˈɪnstɪŋkt]

【释】n. 本能 a natural or inherent aptitude, impulse, or capacity

【例】The natural instincts of the lioness are to protect her cub at all costs.

【派】instinctive（adj. 本能的）

discern [dɪˈsɜːrn]

【释】v. 识别，察觉 to detect or recognize

【例】Because elephants can hear sounds at frequencies too low for human ears, they can communicate in ways that humans cannot directly discern.

【选】detect, discover

【派】discernible（adj. 可察觉的）， discerning（adj. 有洞察力的），discernment（n. 敏锐，精明）

orientation [ˌɔːriənˈteɪʃn]

【释】n. 取向，态度 a usually general or lasting direction of thought, inclination, or interest

【例】She should not have felt offended by the speech just because its political orientation was markedly different from hers.

【选】bias

【反】decline

【释】n. 方向 the relative position or direction of something

【例】The orientation of the Egyptian pyramids demonstrates a deep understanding of astronomy by the ancient people.

riddle [ˈrɪdl]

【释】n. 难题，谜题 a mystifying, misleading, or puzzling question posed as a problem to be solved or guessed

【例】Many fairy tales feature a main character who tries to answer a difficult riddle in the quest of attaining some reward.

【选】enigma, puzzle, conundrum

jejune [dʒɪˈdʒuːn]

【释】adj. 无聊的 immature and unsophisticated

【例】Many people claim to find celebrity gossip jejune, but most continue to read tabloid newspapers and magazines in their free time out of pure boredom.

【选】vapid

clownish [ˈklaʊnɪʃ]

【释】adj. 小丑般的，滑稽的 acting in a silly or funny way

【例】Even though the class trickster meant no harm by flooding the school canteen, the principal still decided to suspend him for his clownish antics.

indifferent [ɪnˈdɪfrənt]

【释】adj. 冷漠的，不感兴趣的 not interested in or concerned about something

【例】I was indifferent to buying the couch until the clerk pointed out that it was 80% off the listed price.

【选】apathy

【释】adj. 客观公正的 characterized by a lack of partiality; unbiased

【例】Even though the examiners knew the student quite well, they still gave a fair and indifferent assessment of the candidate's capability in their report.

lethargic [ləˈθɑːrdʒɪk]

【释】adj. 无精打采的 feeling a lack of energy or a lack of interest in doing things

【例】She decided to visit the doctor after having felt listless and lethargic for months on end.

【选】somnolent, indolent

clique [kliːk]

【释】n. 小团体 a small exclusive group of friends or associates

【例】She felt miserable after her usual clique in school decided to alienate her for no discernible reason.

【派】cliquish（adj. 小团体的，分帮结派的）

fungible [ˈfʌndʒəbl]

【释】adj. 可替代的 interchangeable or replaceable

【例】If you want to keep your employees happy, you should make them feel individually valued and less fungible.

【选】interchangeable

complimentary [ˌkɑːmplɪˈmentri]

【释】adj. 赞美的 expressing praise or admiration for someone or something

【例】The student theater production received complimentary reviews, much to the delight of the director and her team.

【派】compliment（n. 赞美）

empirical [ɪmˈpɪrɪkl]

【释】adj. 根据观察或经验的（表客观）originating in or based on observation or experience

【例】Greek philosophers used empirical evidence from nature to understand the fundamental laws of nature.

【反】speculation, conjecture

conform [kənˈfɔːrm]

【释】v. 符合，遵守 to obey or agree with something

【例】Most human behavior is conventional and tends to conform to a norm.

【选】square with

【派】conformity（n. 一致）

【释】v. 随大流，从众 to do what other people do

【例】The school required that all students conform to the rigid dress code.

solicitous [səˈlɪsɪtəs]

【释】adj. 关心的，殷切的 showing great attention or concern to another

【例】Her solicitous demeanor was deceptive as she was ultimately acting for her own selfish gains.

【派】solicitude[n. 关心（与concern考同义词）]