Y 1 … throw in the towel
… throw in the towel
… He threw in the towel after trying for years.
… Don’t throw in the towel yet.
… throw in the towel
/ throw in the towel
… He threw in the towel after trying for years.
/ He threw in the towel after trying for years.
… Don’t throw in the towel yet.
/ Don’t throw in the towel yet.
Y 2 … sycophantic
… sycophantic
… His sycophantic attitude annoyed the team.
… She gave a sycophantic compliment.
… sycophantic
/ sycophantic
… His sycophantic attitude annoyed the team.
/ His sycophantic attitude annoyed the team.
… She gave a sycophantic compliment.
/ She gave a sycophantic compliment.
Y 3 … fend off
… fend off
… He fended off the attacker.
… She fended off the tough questions.
… fend off
/ fend off
… He fended off the attacker.
/ He fended off the attacker.
… She fended off the tough questions.
/ She fended off the tough questions.
Y 4 … zealous
… zealous
… The zealous fan followed every update.
… He’s zealous about environmental issues.
… zealous
/ zealous
… The zealous fan followed every update.
/ The zealous fan followed every update.
… He’s zealous about environmental issues.
/ He’s zealous about environmental issues.
Y 5 … diaphanous
… diaphanous
… She wore a diaphanous scarf.
… The curtains were diaphanous and elegant.
… diaphanous
/ diaphanous
… She wore a diaphanous scarf.
/ She wore a diaphanous scarf.
… The curtains were diaphanous and elegant.
/ The curtains were diaphanous and elegant.
Y 6 … immutable
… immutable
… The law is immutable and must be obeyed.
… Her beliefs were immutable.
… immutable
/ immutable
… The law is immutable and must be obeyed.
/ The law is immutable and must be obeyed.
… Her beliefs were immutable.
/ Her beliefs were immutable.
Y 7 … labyrinthine
… labyrinthine
… The labyrinthine corridors confused us.
… The plot was labyrinthine and complex.
… labyrinthine
/ labyrinthine
… The labyrinthine corridors confused us.
/ The labyrinthine corridors confused us.
… The plot was labyrinthine and complex.
/ The plot was labyrinthine and complex.
Y 8 … palpitate
… palpitate
… His heart palpitated with excitement.
… She felt her chest palpitate with fear.
… palpitate
/ palpitate
… His heart palpitated with excitement.
/ His heart palpitated with excitement.
… She felt her chest palpitate with fear.
/ She felt her chest palpitate with fear.
Y 9 … rhapsodize
… rhapsodize
… He rhapsodized about the concert.
… She rhapsodized over the new book.
… rhapsodize
/ rhapsodize
… He rhapsodized about the concert.
/ He rhapsodized about the concert.
… She rhapsodized over the new book.
/ She rhapsodized over the new book.
Y 10 … vainglorious
… vainglorious
… His vainglorious boasting annoyed everyone.
… She made a vainglorious speech.
… vainglorious
/ vainglorious
… His vainglorious boasting annoyed everyone.
/ His vainglorious boasting annoyed everyone.
… She made a vainglorious speech.
/ She made a vainglorious speech.
Y 11 … yore
… yore
… In days of yore, knights rode horses.
… The tale comes from the days of yore.
… yore
/ yore
… In days of yore, knights rode horses.
/ In days of yore, knights rode horses.
… The tale comes from the days of yore.
/ The tale comes from the days of yore.
Y 12 … ignominious
… ignominious
… The team suffered an ignominious defeat.
… His ignominious exit shocked the crowd.
… ignominious
/ ignominious
… The team suffered an ignominious defeat.
/ The team suffered an ignominious defeat.
… His ignominious exit shocked the crowd.
/ His ignominious exit shocked the crowd.
Y 13 … jocular
… jocular
… His jocular tone lightened the mood.
… She made a jocular remark.
… jocular
/ jocular
… His jocular tone lightened the mood.
/ His jocular tone lightened the mood.
… She made a jocular remark.
/ She made a jocular remark.
Y 14 … smell a rat
… smell a rat
… I smelled a rat in his story.
… She smelled a rat and investigated.
… smell a rat
/ smell a rat
… I smelled a rat in his story.
/ I smelled a rat in his story.
… She smelled a rat and investigated.
/ She smelled a rat and investigated.
Y 15 … wily
… wily
… The wily fox escaped the trap.
… He’s a wily negotiator.
… wily
/ wily
… The wily fox escaped the trap.
/ The wily fox escaped the trap.
… He’s a wily negotiator.
/ He’s a wily negotiator.
Y 16 … abstain
… abstain
… He abstained from voting.
… She abstains from alcohol.
… abstain
/ abstain
… He abstained from voting.
/ He abstained from voting.
… She abstains from alcohol.
/ She abstains from alcohol.
Y 17 … cavort
… cavort
… The children cavorted in the park.
… They cavorted around the bonfire.
… cavort
/ cavort
… The children cavorted in the park.
/ The children cavorted in the park.
… They cavorted around the bonfire.
/ They cavorted around the bonfire.
Y 18 … feral
… feral
… The feral cat avoided humans.
… Feral instincts took over.
… feral
/ feral
… The feral cat avoided humans.
/ The feral cat avoided humans.
… Feral instincts took over.
/ Feral instincts took over.
Y 19 … hew
… hew
… They hewed the path through the forest.
… He hewed the wood with an axe.
… hew
/ hew
… They hewed the path through the forest.
/ They hewed the path through the forest.
… He hewed the wood with an axe.
/ He hewed the wood with an axe.
Y 20 … impede
… impede
… The traffic impeded our progress.
… Fear can impede decision-making.
… impede
/ impede
… The traffic impeded our progress.
/ The traffic impeded our progress.
… Fear can impede decision-making.
/ Fear can impede decision-making.
Y 21 … squander opportunities
… squander opportunities
… He squandered opportunities by procrastinating.
… Don’t squander opportunities that come your way.
… squander opportunities
/ squander opportunities
… He squandered opportunities by procrastinating.
/ He squandered opportunities by procrastinating.
… Don’t squander opportunities that come your way.
/ Don’t squander opportunities that come your way.
Y 22 … lilt
… lilt
… Her voice had a cheerful lilt.
… The song’s lilt made it easy to dance to.
… lilt
/ lilt
… Her voice had a cheerful lilt.
/ Her voice had a cheerful lilt.
… The song’s lilt made it easy to dance to.
/ The song’s lilt made it easy to dance to.
Y 23 … paltry
… paltry
… He received a paltry sum for his work.
… The paltry effort didn’t impress anyone.
… paltry
/ paltry
… He received a paltry sum for his work.
/ He received a paltry sum for his work.
… The paltry effort didn’t impress anyone.
/ The paltry effort didn’t impress anyone.
Y 24 … vex
… vex
… His constant interruptions vexed the speaker.
… She was vexed by the delay.
… vex
/ vex
… His constant interruptions vexed the speaker.
/ His constant interruptions vexed the speaker.
… She was vexed by the delay.
/ She was vexed by the delay.
Y 25 … pass the buck
… pass the buck
… He tried to pass the buck to his assistant.
… Stop passing the buck and take responsibility.
… pass the buck
/ pass the buck
… He tried to pass the buck to his assistant.
/ He tried to pass the buck to his assistant.
… Stop passing the buck and take responsibility.
/ Stop passing the buck and take responsibility.
Y 26 … xylophone
… xylophone
… The child played the xylophone with joy.
… A xylophone adds a bright tone to the music.
… xylophone
/ xylophone
… The child played the xylophone with joy.
/ The child played the xylophone with joy.
… A xylophone adds a bright tone to the music.
/ A xylophone adds a bright tone to the music.
Y 27 … bedraggled
… bedraggled
… She arrived bedraggled from the rain.
… The dog looked bedraggled after playing in the mud.
… bedraggled
/ bedraggled
… She arrived bedraggled from the rain.
/ She arrived bedraggled from the rain.
… The dog looked bedraggled after playing in the mud.
/ The dog looked bedraggled after playing in the mud.
Y 28 … cajole
… cajole
… He cajoled her into joining the trip.
… She tried to cajole the teacher for extra credit.
… cajole
/ cajole
… He cajoled her into joining the trip.
/ He cajoled her into joining the trip.
… She tried to cajole the teacher for extra credit.
/ She tried to cajole the teacher for extra credit.
Y 29 … equivocate
… equivocate
… He equivocated when asked about the issue.
… Stop equivocating and give a clear answer.
… equivocate
/ equivocate
… He equivocated when asked about the issue.
/ He equivocated when asked about the issue.
… Stop equivocating and give a clear answer.
/ Stop equivocating and give a clear answer.
Y 30 … up in arms
… up in arms
… The community was up in arms over the new policy.
… Parents are up in arms about the school changes.
… up in arms
/ up in arms
… The community was up in arms over the new policy.
/ The community was up in arms over the new policy.
… Parents are up in arms about the school changes.
/ Parents are up in arms about the school changes.
Y 31 … gesticulate
… gesticulate
… He gesticulated wildly during the argument.
… She gesticulated to emphasize her point.
… gesticulate
/ gesticulate
… He gesticulated wildly during the argument.
/ He gesticulated wildly during the argument.
… She gesticulated to emphasize her point.
/ She gesticulated to emphasize her point.
Y 32 … hobnob
… hobnob
… He hobnobbed with celebrities at the gala.
… She enjoys hobnobbing with influential people.
… hobnob
/ hobnob
… He hobnobbed with celebrities at the gala.
/ He hobnobbed with celebrities at the gala.
… She enjoys hobnobbing with influential people.
/ She enjoys hobnobbing with influential people.
Y 33 … imbibe
… imbibe
… He imbibed the wisdom of his mentor.
… They imbibed wine during the celebration.
… imbibe
/ imbibe
… He imbibed the wisdom of his mentor.
/ He imbibed the wisdom of his mentor.
… They imbibed wine during the celebration.
/ They imbibed wine during the celebration.
Y 34 … maelstrom
… maelstrom
… The city was caught in a political maelstrom.
… She was swept into an emotional maelstrom.
… maelstrom
/ maelstrom
… The city was caught in a political maelstrom.
/ The city was caught in a political maelstrom.
… She was swept into an emotional maelstrom.
/ She was swept into an emotional maelstrom.
Y 35 … palliate
… palliate
… The medicine helped palliate the pain.
… He tried to palliate her fears.
… palliate
/ palliate
… The medicine helped palliate the pain.
/ The medicine helped palliate the pain.
… He tried to palliate her fears.
/ He tried to palliate her fears.
Y 36 … yelp
… yelp
… The dog let out a yelp when stepped on.
… She yelped in surprise.
… yelp
/ yelp
… The dog let out a yelp when stepped on.
/ The dog let out a yelp when stepped on.
… She yelped in surprise.
/ She yelped in surprise.
Y 37 … bluster
… bluster
… He blustered about quitting, but never did.
… The wind blustered through the trees.
… bluster
/ bluster
… He blustered about quitting, but never did.
/ He blustered about quitting, but never did.
… The wind blustered through the trees.
/ The wind blustered through the trees.
Y 38 … effulgent
… effulgent
… Her effulgent smile lit up the room.
… The sunrise was effulgent and breathtaking.
… effulgent
/ effulgent
… Her effulgent smile lit up the room.
/ Her effulgent smile lit up the room.
… The sunrise was effulgent and breathtaking.
/ The sunrise was effulgent and breathtaking.
Y 39 … macabre
… macabre
… The film had a macabre atmosphere.
… He told a macabre story about ghosts.
… macabre
/ macabre
… The film had a macabre atmosphere.
/ The film had a macabre atmosphere.
… He told a macabre story about ghosts.
/ He told a macabre story about ghosts.
Y 40 … obsequious
… obsequious
… His obsequious behavior annoyed the manager.
… She gave an obsequious compliment.
… obsequious
/ obsequious
… His obsequious behavior annoyed the manager.
/ His obsequious behavior annoyed the manager.
… She gave an obsequious compliment.
/ She gave an obsequious compliment.
Y 41 … x marks the spot
… x marks the spot
… X marks the spot on the treasure map.
… He pointed and said, “X marks the spot.”
… x marks the spot
/ x marks the spot
… X marks the spot on the treasure map.
/ X marks the spot on the treasure map.
… He pointed and said, “X marks the spot.”
/ He pointed and said, “X marks the spot.”
Y 42 … wan
… wan
… She looked wan after the illness.
… His wan smile faded quickly.
… wan
/ wan
… She looked wan after the illness.
/ She looked wan after the illness.
… His wan smile faded quickly.
/ His wan smile faded quickly.
Y 43 … hit the hay
… hit the hay
… I’m tired—I’m going to hit the hay.
… He hit the hay early last night.
… hit the hay
/ hit the hay
… I’m tired—I’m going to hit the hay.
/ I’m tired—I’m going to hit the hay.
… He hit the hay early last night.
/ He hit the hay early last night.
Y 44 … abysmal
… abysmal
… The service was abysmal.
… Her performance was abysmal.
… abysmal
/ abysmal
… The service was abysmal.
/ The service was abysmal.
… Her performance was abysmal.
/ Her performance was abysmal.
Y 45 … jejune
… jejune
… His jejune remarks bored the audience.
… The book was too jejune for adults.
… jejune
/ jejune
… His jejune remarks bored the audience.
/ His jejune remarks bored the audience.
… The book was too jejune for adults.
/ The book was too jejune for adults.
Y 46 … keep at bay
… keep at bay
… She kept her emotions at bay.
… The medicine keeps infection at bay.
… keep at bay
/ keep at bay
… She kept her emotions at bay.
/ She kept her emotions at bay.
… The medicine keeps infection at bay.
/ The medicine keeps infection at bay.
Y 47 … rapacious
… rapacious
… The rapacious landlord raised the rent again.
… Rapacious greed led to the collapse.
… rapacious
/ rapacious
… The rapacious landlord raised the rent again.
/ The rapacious landlord raised the rent again.
… Rapacious greed led to the collapse.
/ Rapacious greed led to the collapse.
Y 48 … get a kick out of something
… get a kick out of something
… I get a kick out of old movies.
… He gets a kick out of surprising people.
… get a kick out of something
/ get a kick out of something
… I get a kick out of old movies.
/ I get a kick out of old movies.
… He gets a kick out of surprising people.
/ He gets a kick out of surprising people.
Y 49 … abscond
… abscond
… He absconded with the stolen money.
… The suspect absconded before trial.
… abscond
/ abscond
… He absconded with the stolen money.
/ He absconded with the stolen money.
… The suspect absconded before trial.
/ The suspect absconded before trial.
Y 50 … bereft
… bereft
… She felt bereft after the loss.
… He stood bereft of hope.
… bereft
/ bereft
… She felt bereft after the loss.
/ She felt bereft after the loss.
… He stood bereft of hope.
/ He stood bereft of hope.
Y 51 … decadent
… decadent
… The party was decadent and lavish.
… He lived a decadent lifestyle.
… decadent
/ decadent
… The party was decadent and lavish.
/ The party was decadent and lavish.
… He lived a decadent lifestyle.
/ He lived a decadent lifestyle.
Y 52 … feckless
… feckless
… His feckless attitude frustrated the team.
… She considered him feckless and unreliable.
… feckless
/ feckless
… His feckless attitude frustrated the team.
/ His feckless attitude frustrated the team.
… She considered him feckless and unreliable.
/ She considered him feckless and unreliable.
Y 53 … grotesque
… grotesque
… The sculpture had a grotesque shape.
… His behavior was grotesque and disturbing.
… grotesque
/ grotesque
… The sculpture had a grotesque shape.
/ The sculpture had a grotesque shape.
… His behavior was grotesque and disturbing.
/ His behavior was grotesque and disturbing.
Y 54 … recumbent
… recumbent
… He lay recumbent on the sofa.
… The statue depicted a recumbent figure.
… recumbent
/ recumbent
… He lay recumbent on the sofa.
/ He lay recumbent on the sofa.
… The statue depicted a recumbent figure.
/ The statue depicted a recumbent figure.
Y 55 … give in to
… give in to
… She gave in to temptation.
… He refused to give in to pressure.
… give in to
/ give in to
… She gave in to temptation.
/ She gave in to temptation.
… He refused to give in to pressure.
/ He refused to give in to pressure.
Y 56 … mull over
… mull over
… I need time to mull over the offer.
… She mulled over the decision all night.
… mull over
/ mull over
… I need time to mull over the offer.
/ I need time to mull over the offer.
… She mulled over the decision all night.
/ She mulled over the decision all night.
Y 57 … xenolith
… xenolith
… The rock contained a rare xenolith.
… Geologists studied the xenolith’s origin.
… xenolith
/ xenolith
… The rock contained a rare xenolith.
/ The rock contained a rare xenolith.
… Geologists studied the xenolith’s origin.
/ Geologists studied the xenolith’s origin.
Y 58 … hermetic
… hermetic
… The jar was sealed in a hermetic container.
… He lived a hermetic life, isolated from others.
… hermetic
/ hermetic
… The jar was sealed in a hermetic container.
/ The jar was sealed in a hermetic container.
… He lived a hermetic life, isolated from others.
/ He lived a hermetic life, isolated from others.
Y 59 … voracious
… voracious
… She’s a voracious reader.
… The lion had a voracious appetite.
… voracious
/ voracious
… She’s a voracious reader.
/ She’s a voracious reader.
… The lion had a voracious appetite.
/ The lion had a voracious appetite.
Y 60 … sniff out
… sniff out
… The dog sniffed out the hidden treat.
… He sniffed out the truth behind the rumor.
… sniff out
/ sniff out
… The dog sniffed out the hidden treat.
/ The dog sniffed out the hidden treat.
… He sniffed out the truth behind the rumor.
/ He sniffed out the truth behind the rumor.
Y 61 … holistic
… holistic
… We need a holistic approach to education.
… Her treatment plan was holistic and natural.
… holistic
/ holistic
… We need a holistic approach to education.
/ We need a holistic approach to education.
… Her treatment plan was holistic and natural.
/ Her treatment plan was holistic and natural.
Y 62 … in the nick of time
… in the nick of time
… He arrived in the nick of time.
… The rescue came in the nick of time.
… in the nick of time
/ in the nick of time
… He arrived in the nick of time.
/ He arrived in the nick of time.
… The rescue came in the nick of time.
/ The rescue came in the nick of time.
Y 63 … ambiguous
… ambiguous
… Her answer was ambiguous.
… The message was ambiguous and confusing.
… ambiguous
/ ambiguous
… Her answer was ambiguous.
/ Her answer was ambiguous.
… The message was ambiguous and confusing.
/ The message was ambiguous and confusing.
Y 64 … tangible
… tangible
… The results were tangible and measurable.
… She needed tangible proof.
… tangible
/ tangible
… The results were tangible and measurable.
/ The results were tangible and measurable.
… She needed tangible proof.
/ She needed tangible proof.
Y 65 … cunning
… cunning
… The fox was cunning and clever.
… He used cunning tactics to win.
… cunning
/ cunning
… The fox was cunning and clever.
/ The fox was cunning and clever.
… He used cunning tactics to win.
/ He used cunning tactics to win.
Y 66 … adulation
… adulation
… The celebrity received endless adulation.
… He was uncomfortable with such adulation.
… adulation
/ adulation
… The celebrity received endless adulation.
/ The celebrity received endless adulation.
… He was uncomfortable with such adulation.
/ He was uncomfortable with such adulation.
Y 67 … inanimate
… inanimate
… The robot looked human but was inanimate.
… She spoke to the inanimate doll.
… inanimate
/ inanimate
… The robot looked human but was inanimate.
/ The robot looked human but was inanimate.
… She spoke to the inanimate doll.
/ She spoke to the inanimate doll.
Y 68 … incorrigible
… incorrigible
… He’s an incorrigible prankster.
… Her incorrigible optimism inspired others.
… incorrigible
/ incorrigible
… He’s an incorrigible prankster.
/ He’s an incorrigible prankster.
… Her incorrigible optimism inspired others.
/ Her incorrigible optimism inspired others.
Y 69 … vapid
… vapid
… The conversation was vapid and dull.
… He gave a vapid speech.
… vapid
/ vapid
… The conversation was vapid and dull.
/ The conversation was vapid and dull.
… He gave a vapid speech.
/ He gave a vapid speech.
Y 70 … xenial
… xenial
… The host was xenial and welcoming.
… They offered xenial hospitality to guests.
… xenial
/ xenial
… The host was xenial and welcoming.
/ The host was xenial and welcoming.
… They offered xenial hospitality to guests.
/ They offered xenial hospitality to guests.
