complicity
(n.) involvement in wrongdoing; the state of being an accomplice
Sentence:
“Those who saw the young woman being assaulted and did nothing to help her were in a sense guilty of complicity in the crime.”
Sentence:
“Those who saw the young woman being assaulted and did nothing to help her were in a sense guilty of complicity in the crime.”
inane
(adj.) silly, empty of meaning or value
Sentence:
“It was such an inane remark that I couldn’t keep myself from laughing derisively when I heard it.”
Sentence:
“It was such an inane remark that I couldn’t keep myself from laughing derisively when I heard it.”
indictment
(n.) the act of accusing; a formal accusation
Sentence:
“That fact that so many released prisoners return to a life of crime is in itself a terrifying indictment of our penal system.”
Sentence:
“That fact that so many released prisoners return to a life of crime is in itself a terrifying indictment of our penal system.”
agnostic
(n.) one who believes that nothing can be known about God; a skeptic; (adj.) without faith, skeptical
Sentence:
“Since he neither affirms nor denies the existence of God, I’d classify him as an agnostic rather than an atheist.”
Sentence:
“Since he neither affirms nor denies the existence of God, I’d classify him as an agnostic rather than an atheist.”
equity
(n.) the state or quality of being just, fair, or impartial; fair and equal treatment; something that is fair; the money value of a property above and beyond any mortgage or other claim
Sentence:
“”Simple equity demands that we distribute the tax burden as fairly as possible among the populace.” the Senator remarked.”
Sentence:
“”Simple equity demands that we distribute the tax burden as fairly as possible among the populace.” the Senator remarked.”
abject
(adj.) degraded; base, contemptible; cringing, servile; complete and unrelieved
Sentence:
“At the slightest sound of thunder, my dog Rover dives under the bed in a state of abject terror.”
Sentence:
“At the slightest sound of thunder, my dog Rover dives under the bed in a state of abject terror.”
diatribe
(n.) a bitter and prolonged verbal attack
Sentence:
“Every time we did something to anger him, he delivered an intemperate diatribe lambasting our “hopeless irresponsibility.””
Sentence:
“Every time we did something to anger him, he delivered an intemperate diatribe lambasting our “hopeless irresponsibility.””
intermittent
(adj.) stopping and beginning again, sporadic
Sentence:
“For years, we carried an intermittent correspondence sometimes allowing months to past before a letter was answered.”
Sentence:
“For years, we carried an intermittent correspondence sometimes allowing months to past before a letter was answered.”
derelict
(n) someone or something that is abandoned or neglected; (adj) left abandoned; neglectful of duty
Sentence:
“I would be derelict in my duty if I did not warn you against the bad effects of smoking cigarettes.”
Sentence:
“I would be derelict in my duty if I did not warn you against the bad effects of smoking cigarettes.”
effigy
(n.) a crude image of a despised person
Sentence:
“The overthrown dictator was hanged in effigy before a throng in the town square.”
Sentence:
“The overthrown dictator was hanged in effigy before a throng in the town square.”
indubitable
(adj.) certain, not to be doubted or denied
Sentence:
Though some writers have emphasize Jefferson’s human weaknesses, his greatness is an indubitable part of the historic record.”
Sentence:
Though some writers have emphasize Jefferson’s human weaknesses, his greatness is an indubitable part of the historic record.”
travesty
(n.) a grotesque or grossly inferior imitation; a disguise, especially the clothing of the opposite sex; (v.) to ridicule by imitating in a broad or burlesque fashion
Sentence:
“Since the accused was never really given a chance to defend himself, his so-called “trial” was nothing but a travesty of justice.”
Sentence:
“Since the accused was never really given a chance to defend himself, his so-called “trial” was nothing but a travesty of justice.”
surveillance
(n.) a watch kept over a person; careful, close, and disciplined observation
meretricious
adj. alluring by flashy or vulgar attractions, based on description, pretense or insincerity
Sentence:
“The novelty of the idea gave it a kind of meretricious allure that belied its basic unsoundness.”
Sentence:
“The novelty of the idea gave it a kind of meretricious allure that belied its basic unsoundness.”
neophyte
(n.) a new convert, beginner, novice
Sentence:
“How could a mere neophyte in the teaching profession question the judgement of so experienced an educator?”
Sentence:
“How could a mere neophyte in the teaching profession question the judgement of so experienced an educator?”
sylvan
(adj.) pertaining to or characteristic of forests; living or located in a forest; wooded, woody
Sentence:
“In her garland of leaves and acorns, my little daughter looked very much like some sylvan spirit out of our dim pagan past.”
Sentence:
“In her garland of leaves and acorns, my little daughter looked very much like some sylvan spirit out of our dim pagan past.”
perspicacity
(n.) keenness in observing and understanding
Sentence:
“The perspicacity of her analysis not only clarified the nature of the problem but also suggested its most promising solution.”
Sentence:
“The perspicacity of her analysis not only clarified the nature of the problem but also suggested its most promising solution.”
moot
(adj.) open to discussion and debate, unresolved; (v.) to bring up for discussion; (n.) a hypothetical law case argued by students
Sentence:
“How can you call that a moot question when it is quite clearly a simple matter of right and wrong?”
Sentence:
“How can you call that a moot question when it is quite clearly a simple matter of right and wrong?”
testy
(adj.) easily irritated; characterized by impatience and exasperation
Sentence:
“I’d say that the phrase “having a short fuse” aptly describes my boss’s decidedly testy disposition.”
Sentence:
“I’d say that the phrase “having a short fuse” aptly describes my boss’s decidedly testy disposition.”
plenary
(adj.) complete in all aspects or essentials; absolute; attended by all qualified members
Sentence:
“During the emergency, the Mayor assumed plenary authority and did whatever was needed to provide essential services.”
Sentence:
“During the emergency, the Mayor assumed plenary authority and did whatever was needed to provide essential services.”
motif
(n.) a principal idea, feature, theme, or element; a repeated or dominant figure in a design
Sentence:
“In Wagner’s operas, brief musical motif associated with the characters of their action recur again and again.”
Sentence:
“In Wagner’s operas, brief musical motif associated with the characters of their action recur again and again.”
prestigious
(adj)having a highly favorable reputation, of high standing, commanding respect; being respect as one of the most important