
1. Orthodox
Phonetic: (OR-thuh-doks)
Meaning: Orthodox refers to conforming to established or traditional beliefs, practices, or customs, especially in religion.
Examples:
- The community adheres strictly to orthodox religious doctrines passed down through generations.
- Her family follows the orthodox rituals and traditions of their culture with unwavering dedication.
2. Reverberate
Phonetic: (rih-VUR-buh-rayt)
Meaning: Reverberate means to echo or resound repeatedly, typically as a result of vibrations or sound waves.
Examples:
- The sound of the thunder reverberated through the valley, shaking the windows with its intensity.
- His powerful speech reverberated in the auditorium, leaving a lasting impact on everyone who heard it.
3. Municipal
Phonetic: (myoo-NIS-uh-puhl)
Meaning: Municipal relates to or characteristic of a municipality or local government.
Examples
- The municipal council is responsible for managing public services and infrastructure within the city limits.
- She works for the municipal planning department, overseeing urban development projects in the area.
4. Sway
Phonetic: (SWAY)
Meaning: Sway can be a noun referring to control or influence, especially over others' opinions or actions.
Examples
- The charismatic leader held great sway over his followers, inspiring them to action with his persuasive rhetoric.
- As a verb, sway means to move or swing back and forth or to influence or control someone or something.
- The trees swayed gently in the breeze, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.
5. Spurious
Phonetic: (SPYOOR-ee-uhs)
Meaning: Spurious describes something false, fake, or not genuine; lacking authenticity or validity.
Examples:
- The website was filled with spurious claims and unreliable information, making it difficult to discern fact from fiction.
- His spurious excuses for missing work failed to convince his skeptical boss.
6. Indulgently
Phonetic: (in-DUHL-juhnt-lee)
Meaning: Indulgently means in a manner characterized by excessive leniency, tolerance, or generosity, often towards oneself or others.
Examples:
- She smiled indulgently at her mischievous grandchildren, allowing them to eat dessert before dinner as a special treat.
- He lounged indulgently in the hammock, savoring the luxury of a lazy afternoon spent doing nothing.
7. Behold
Phonetic: (bih-HOHD)
Meaning: Behold means to see or observe something, especially something impressive, remarkable, or awe-inspiring.
Examples:
- As they reached the summit, they beheld a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding mountains.
- Behold, the majestic beauty of the ancient cathedral bathed in the golden light of the setting sun.
8. Scrupulous
Phonetic: (SKROO-pyuh-luhs)
Meaning: Scrupulous describes someone who is diligent, thorough, and conscientious in adhering to moral principles or performing tasks with great care and attention to detail.
Examples:
- The scrupulous accountant meticulously reviewed every financial transaction to ensure accuracy and compliance with regulations.
- She is known for her scrupulous honesty and integrity in all her dealings.
9. Equivocal
Phonetic: (ih-KWIV-uh-kuhl)
Meaning: Equivocal means ambiguous or open to interpretation; unclear or having more than one possible meaning.
Examples:
- His equivocal response to the question left everyone uncertain about his true intentions.
- The statement was deliberately equivocal, allowing the speaker to avoid making a definitive commitment.
10. Supplant
Phonetic: (suh-PLAHNT)
Meaning: Supplant means to replace someone or something, typically by force or unexpectedly.
Examples:
- The new digital format gradually supplanted traditional printed newspapers as the primary source of news for many people.
- As technology advances, older methods and systems are often supplanted by more efficient and innovative alternatives.
11. Satiate
Phonetic: (SAY-shee-ayt)
Meaning: Satiate means to satisfy or fulfill a desire, appetite, or need completely or to excess.
Examples:
- After hours of hiking, they stopped to rest and satiate their hunger with a hearty meal cooked over an open fire.
- Her thirst for knowledge could never be fully satiated, as she was always eager to learn more.
12. Palpable
Phonetic: (PAL-puh-buhl)
Meaning: Palpable means capable of being touched, felt, or perceived; tangible or easily noticeable.
Examples
- The tension in the room was palpable as the two rival teams prepared to face off in the championship game.
- The excitement among the audience was palpable as they waited for the curtain to rise on opening night.
13. Convening
Phonetic: (kuhn-VEE-ning)
Meaning: Convening refers to the action of bringing people together for a meeting, assembly, or gathering.
Examples:
- The United Nations is convening a special session to address the humanitarian crisis in the war-torn region.
- The committee is convening next week to discuss proposals for improving public transportation in the city.
14. Idealize
Phonetic: (eye-DEE-uh-lize)
Meaning: Idealize means to regard or represent something as perfect, ideal, or better than it really is.
Examples:
- Many people idealize their childhood memories, remembering only the happy moments and forgetting the challenges they faced.
- It's important not to idealize celebrities or public figures, as they are human and have flaws like everyone else.
15. Conventional
Phonetic: (kuhn-VEN-shuh-nl)
Meaning: Conventional describes something that conforms to accepted standards, practices, or norms, often based on tradition or common usage.
Examples:
- The couple chose to have a conventional wedding ceremony with all the traditional customs and rituals.
- Despite his unconventional appearance, his views on morality are surprisingly conventional and conservative.
16. Heterodox
Phonetic: (HET-uh-ruh-doks)
Meaning: Heterodox describes something that deviates from or contradicts established beliefs, doctrines, or principles, especially in religion or philosophy.
Examples:
- The philosopher's heterodox theories challenged traditional religious dogma and sparked controversy among theologians.
- She was drawn to the heterodox teachings of the mystic, which offered a fresh perspective on spirituality.
17. Irrefutable
Phonetic: (ih-REF-yoo-tuh-buhl)
Meaning: Irrefutable describes something that cannot be disproved or refuted; indisputable or beyond doubt.
Examples:
- The evidence presented by the prosecution was irrefutable, leaving no doubt about the defendant's guilt.
- Despite his best efforts, he could not come up with an irrefutable argument to counter her logic.
18. Venerate
Phonetic: (VEN-uh-rayt)
Meaning: Venerate means to regard with deep respect, reverence, or admiration, often for someone or something considered sacred or worthy of honor.
Examples:
- The ancient monument is venerated as a symbol of the nation's heritage and identity.
- In many cultures, ancestors are venerated through rituals and ceremonies honoring their memory.
19. Arduous
Phonetic: (AHR-joo-uhs)
Meaning: Arduous describes something that requires great effort, labor, or perseverance, often involving difficulty, hardship, or strenuous exertion.
Examples
- The climbers faced an arduous journey to the summit, battling harsh weather conditions and treacherous terrain.
- Writing a novel is often an arduous process that requires dedication, discipline, and patience.
20. Strenuous
Phonetic: (STREN-yoo-uhs)
Meaning: Strenuous means requiring or characterized by vigorous exertion, effort, or activity; physically demanding or mentally taxing.
Examples:
- The athletes underwent strenuous training sessions to prepare for the upcoming marathon.
- She found the strenuous demands of her new job both challenging and exhilarating.
21. Unpretentious
Phonetic: (un-pri-TEN-shuhs)
Meaning: Unpretentious describes someone or something that is modest, genuine, or not trying to impress others with a false appearance of importance or sophistication.
Examples:
- They preferred dining at unpretentious neighborhood cafes over fancy, upscale restaurants.
- Despite his wealth and success, he remained unpretentious and down-to-earth, treating everyone with kindness and respect.
22. Satiable
Phonetic: (SAY-shee-uh-buhl)
Meaning: Satiable refers to something that can be satisfied or appeased, especially in terms of hunger, thirst, or desires.
Examples
- After indulging in a delicious meal, their hunger was finally satiable, and they felt content.
- His curiosity about the world was insatiable, and he constantly sought out new experiences to satisfy his thirst for knowledge.
23. Incongruous
Phonetic: (in-KONG-groo-uhs)
Meaning: Incongruous describes something that is out of place, inconsistent, or not in harmony with its surroundings or context.
Examples:
- The modern artwork looked incongruous in the historic museum, clashing with the traditional paintings on display.
- His cheerful demeanor seemed incongruous with the somber atmosphere of the funeral.
24. Recurrent
Phonetic: (rih-KUR-uhnt)
Meaning: Recurrent means occurring repeatedly or regularly; happening over and over again.
Examples:
- She suffered from recurrent nightmares, which often disturbed her sleep.
- The company experienced recurrent financial setbacks due to fluctuations in the market.
25. Imposing
Phonetic: (im-POH-zing)
Meaning: Imposing describes something or someone impressive, grand, or commanding, often due to size, stature, or appearance.
Examples:
- The imposing castle loomed over the landscape, a symbol of power and authority.
- His imposing presence commanded attention, and people listened attentively when he spoke.
26. Mitigate
Phonetic: (MIT-i-gayt)
Meaning: Mitigate means to make less severe, serious, or painful; to alleviate or lessen the impact or intensity of something undesirable.
Examples:
- Planting trees can help mitigate the effects of climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- The doctor prescribed medication to mitigate the patient's symptoms and provide relief.
27. Venerable
Phonetic: (VEN-uh-ruh-buhl)
Meaning: Venerable describes someone or something worthy of respect, admiration, or reverence, often due to age, wisdom, or dignity.
Examples:
- The ancient oak tree is considered venerable, with its gnarled branches bearing witness to centuries of history.
- The venerable professor is highly esteemed by her colleagues for her contributions to the field of science.
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