Vocabulary
Workmanlike words for exams(Bank PO/DRDO/SSC/IFSCA/EPFO/SEBI/RBI)
A
| Abate – to become less intense or widespread |
| Aberration – a departure from what is normal or expected |
| Abet – to encourage or assist someone in doing something wrong |
| Abhor – to regard with disgust or hatred |
| Abrogate – to repeal or abolish a law, agreement, or custom |
| Abscond – to leave hurriedly and secretly, typically to avoid detection or arrest |
| Absolve – to declare someone free from guilt, responsibility, or blame |
| Acumen – the ability to make good judgments and quick decisions |
| Adroit – skillful or clever in using the hands or mind |
| Aegis – the protection, support, or sponsorship of a particular person or organization |
| Affable – friendly, good-natured, or easy to talk to |
| Alacrity – brisk and cheerful readiness |
| Altruism – the belief in or practice of selfless concern for the well-being of others |
| Amalgamate – to combine or unite to form one organization or structure |
| Ambiguous – open to more than one interpretation; unclear or inexact |
| Ameliorate – to make something bad or unsatisfactory better |
| Anathema – something or someone that is intensely disliked or cursed |
| Ancillary – providing necessary support to the primary activities or operation of an organization, institution, industry, or system |
| Animosity – strong hostility or antagonism |
| Anomaly – something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected |
| Antipathy – a deep-seated feeling of dislike or aversion |
| Apathy – lack of interest, enthusiasm, or concern |
| Apex – the highest point of something |
| Apocryphal – of doubtful authenticity, although widely circulated as being true |
| Apprehension – anxiety or fear that something bad or unpleasant will happen |
| Arbiter – a person who settles a dispute or has ultimate authority in a matter |
| Archaic – very old or old-fashioned |
| Ascertain – to find something out for certain; make sure of |
| Assuage – to make an unpleasant feeling less intense |
| Astringent – sharp or severe in manner or style |
| Atrocious – horrifyingly wicked or cruel |
| Audacious – showing a willingness to take surprisingly bold risks |
| Augment – to make something greater by adding to it; increase |
| Avarice – extreme greed for wealth or material gain |
| Aversion – a strong dislike or disinclination |
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B
| Banal – so lacking in originality as to be obvious and boring |
| Beleaguer – to lay siege to |
| Belie – to fail to give a true impression of something |
| Benevolent – well meaning and kindly |
| Berate – to scold or criticize angrily |
| Bombastic – high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated |
| Brazen – bold and without shame |
| Brusque – abrupt or offhand in speech or manner |
C
| Cacophony – a harsh, discordant mixture of sounds |
| Callous – showing or having an insensitive and cruel disregard for others |
| Capitulate – to cease to resist an opponent or an unwelcome demand; surrender |
| Catharsis – the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions |
| Cerebral – intellectual rather than emotional or physical |
| Chagrin – distress or embarrassment at having failed or been humiliated |
| Charlatan – a person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill |
| Circumspect – wary and unwilling to take risks |
| Coalesce – to come together and form one mass or whole |
| Cogent – clear, logical, and convincing |
| Coherent – logical and consistent |
| Colloquial – used in ordinary or familiar conversation; not formal or literary |
| Complacent – showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself or one’s achievements |
| Conciliate – to stop someone from being angry or discontented; placate; pacify |
| Confluence – the junction of two rivers, especially rivers of approximately equal width |
| Conundrum – a confusing and difficult problem or question |
| Copious – abundant in supply or quantity |
| Corroborate – to confirm or give support to (a statement, theory, or finding) |
| Credulous – having or showing too great a readiness to believe things |
| Cryptic – having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure |
| Cursory – hasty and therefore not thorough or detailed |
D
| Dearth – a scarcity or lack of something |
| Debacle – a sudden and ignominious failure; a fiasco |
| Debilitate – to make someone weak and infirm |
| Debunk – to expose the falseness or hollowness of (a myth, idea, or belief) |
| Decimate – to kill, destroy, or remove a large proportion of |
| Deference – humble submission and respect |
| Defunct – no longer existing or functioning |
| Demagogue – a political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires and prejudices rather than by using rational argument |
| Denigrate – to criticize unfairly; disparage |
| Deride – to express contempt for; ridicule |
| Despondent – in low spirits from loss of hope or courage |
| Deterrent – a thing that discourages or is intended to discourage someone from doing something |
| Diatribe – a forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something |
| Dichotomy – a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different |
| Diffident – modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence |
| Dilapidated – in a state of disrepair or ruin as a result of age or neglect |
| Disconcert – to disturb the composure of; unsettle |
| Disparage – to regard or represent as being of little worth |
| Disparate – essentially different in kind; not allowing comparison |
| Disseminate – to spread or disperse widely |
| Dubious – hesitating or doubting |
E
| Ebullient – cheerful and full of energy |
| Eclectic – deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources |
| Edifice – a complex system of beliefs |
| Egregious – outstandingly bad; shocking |
| Elucidate – to make something clear; explain |
| Emulate – to match or surpass (a person or achievement), typically by imitation |
| Enervate – to cause someone to feel drained of energy or vitality; weaken |
| Enigma – a person or thing that is mysterious, puzzling, or difficult to understand |
| Enmity – the state or feeling of being actively opposed or hostile to someone or something |
| Ennui – a feeling of listlessness and dissatisfaction arising from a lack of occupation or excitement |
| Epitome – a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type |
| Equanimity – mental calmness, composure, and evenness of temper, especially in a difficult situation |
| Erudite – having or showing great knowledge or learning |
| Esoteric – intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people with a specialized knowledge or interest |
| Ethereal – extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world |
| Euphemism – a mild or indirect word or expression substituted for one considered to be too harsh or blunt when referring to something unpleasant or embarrassing |
| Evanescent – soon passing out of sight, memory, or existence; quickly fading or disappearing |
| Exacerbate – to make (a problem, bad situation, or negative feeling) worse |
| Exonerate – to absolve (someone) from blame for a fault or wrongdoing, especially after due consideration of the case |
| Expunge – to erase or remove completely (something unwanted or unpleasant) |
| Extol – to praise enthusiastically |
F
| Fabricate – to invent or concoct (something), typically with deceitful intent |
| Fastidious – very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail |
| Fatuous – silly and pointless |
| Feasible – possible to do easily or conveniently |
| Fervent – having or displaying a passionate intensity |
| Flagrant – conspicuously or obviously offensive |
| Foible – a minor weakness or eccentricity in someone’s character |
| Formidable – inspiring fear or respect through being impressively large, powerful, intense, or capable |
| Frivolous – not having any serious purpose or value |
| Frugal – sparing or economical with regard to money or food |
| Furtive – attempting to avoid notice or attention, typically because of guilt or a belief that discovery would lead to trouble; secretive |
G
| Garrulous – excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters |
| Genial – friendly and cheerful |
| Genteel – polite, refined, or respectable, often in an affected or ostentatious way |
| Germane – relevant to a subject under consideration |
| Gesticulate – to use gestures, especially dramatic ones, instead of speaking or to emphasize one’s words |
| Gluttony – habitual greed or excess in eating |
| Grandiose – impressive or magnificent in appearance or style, especially pretentiously so |
| Gratuitous – uncalled for; lacking good reason; unwarranted |
| Gregarious – fond of company; sociable |
| Guile – sly or cunning intelligence |
H
| Hackneyed – lacking significance through having been overused; unoriginal and trite |
| Harangue – a lengthy and aggressive speech |
| Hedonist – a person who believes that the pursuit of pleasure is the most important thing in life; a pleasure-seeker |
| Heretic – a person believing in or practicing religious heresy |
| Hierarchy – a system or organization in which people or groups are ranked one above the other according to status or authority |
| Histrionic – overly theatrical or melodramatic in character or style |
| Homogeneous – of the same kind; alike |
| Hubris – excessive pride or self-confidence |
| Hypocrite – a person who indulges in hypocrisy |
I
| Iconoclast – a person who attacks or criticizes cherished beliefs or institutions |
| Idiosyncrasy – a mode of behavior or way of thought peculiar to an individual |
| Immutable – unchanging over time or unable to be changed |
| Impartial – treating all rivals or disputants equally; fair and just |
| Impede – to delay or prevent (someone or something) by obstructing them; hinder |
| Impetus – the force or energy with which a body moves |
| Implacable – unable to be placated; relentless |
| Imponderable – difficult or impossible to estimate, assess, or answer |
| Impregnable – unable to be captured or broken into |
| Impudent – not showing due respect for another person; impertinent |
| Inane – silly; stupid |
| Incandescent – emitting light as a result of being heated |
| Incessant – (of something regarded as unpleasant) continuing without pause or interruption |
| Incognito – (of a person) having one’s true identity concealed |
| Incorrigible – (of a person or their tendencies) not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed |
| Incumbent – necessary for (someone) as a duty or responsibility |
| Indelible – (of ink or a pen) making marks that cannot be removed |
| Indifferent – having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned |
| Indignant – feeling or showing anger or annoyance at what is perceived as unfair treatment |
| Indigenous – originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native |
| Indomitable – impossible to subdue or defeat |
| Ineffable – too great or extreme to be expressed or described in words |
| Inept – having or showing no skill; clumsy |
| Inexorable – impossible to stop or prevent |
| Infamous – well known for some bad quality or deed |
| Inhibit – to hinder, restrain, or prevent (an action or process) |
| Innuendo – an allusive or oblique remark or hint, typically a suggestive or disparaging one |
| Insatiable – (of an appetite or desire) impossible to satisfy |
| Insidious – proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects |
| Insipid – lacking flavor |
| Insolent – showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect |
| Insular – ignorant of or uninterested in cultures, ideas, or peoples outside one’s own experience |
| Integral – necessary to make a whole complete; essential or fundamental |
| Interlocutor – a person who takes part in a dialogue or conversation |
| Intrepid – fearless; adventurous (often used for rhetorical or humorous effect) |
| Inundate – to overwhelm (someone) with things or people to be dealt with |
| Inure – to accustom (someone) to something, especially something unpleasant |
| Invective – insulting, abusive, or highly critical language |
| Inveigle – to persuade someone to do something by means of deception or flattery |
| Inveterate – having a particular habit, activity, or interest that is long-established and unlikely to change |
| Irascible – having or showing a tendency to be easily angered |
| Itinerant – traveling from place to place |
L
| Lackadaisical – lacking enthusiasm and determination; carelessly lazy |
| Laconic – (of a person, speech, or style of writing) using very few words |
| Languid – displaying or having a disinclination for physical exertion or effort; slow and relaxed |
| Largesse – generosity in bestowing money or gifts upon others |
| Lassitude – a state of physical or mental weariness; lack of energy |
| Latent – existing but not yet developed or manifest; hidden or concealed |
| Lethargic – affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic |
| Levity – humor or frivolity, especially the treatment of a serious matter with humor or in a manner lacking due respect |
| Loquacious – tending to talk a great deal; talkative |
| Lucid – expressed clearly; easy to understand |
| Lugubrious – looking or sounding sad and dismal |
M
| Magnanimous – very generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival or someone less powerful than oneself |
| Malaise – a general feeling of discomfort, illness, or unease whose exact cause is difficult to identify |
| Malfeasance – wrongdoing, especially by a public official |
| Malign – evil in nature or effect; malevolent |
| Malleable – able to be hammered or pressed permanently out of shape without breaking or cracking |
| Mandate – an official order or commission to do something |
| Melancholy – a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause |
| Mendacious – not telling the truth; lying |
| Mercurial – subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind |
| Meticulous – showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise |
| Mirth – amusement, especially as expressed in laughter |
| Misnomer – a wrong or inaccurate name or designation |
| Mitigate – to make less severe, serious, or painful |
| Morose – sullen and ill-tempered |
| Mundane – lacking interest or excitement; dull |
| Munificent – (of a gift or sum of money) larger or more generous than is usual or necessary |
| Myriad – a countless or extremely great number |
N
| Nascent – just coming into existence and beginning to display signs of future potential |
| Nebulous – in the form of a cloud or haze; hazy |
| Nefarious – (typically of an action or activity) wicked or criminal |
| Negligent – failing to take proper care in doing something |
| Neophyte – a person who is new to a subject, skill, or belief |
| Nominal – (of a role or status) existing in name only |
| Nostalgia – a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations |
| Notorious – famous or well known, typically for some bad quality or deed |
| Novel – new or unusual in an interesting way |
| Noxious – harmful, poisonous, or very unpleasant |
O
| Obdurate – stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action |
| Obfuscate – to render obscure, unclear, or unintelligible |
| Oblivious – not aware of or not concerned about what is happening around one |
| Obsolete – no longer produced or used; out of date |
| Obstinate – stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course of action, despite attempts to persuade one to do so |
| Obstreperous – noisy and difficult to control |
| Obtuse – annoyingly insensitive or slow to understand |
| Odious – extremely unpleasant; repulsive |
| Ominous – giving the impression that something bad or unpleasant is going to happen; threatening; inauspicious |
| Opaque – not able to be seen through; not transparent |
| Opportunist – a person who takes advantage of opportunities as and when they arise, regardless of planning or principle |
| Ostentatious – characterized by vulgar or pretentious display; designed to impress or attract notice |
| Ostracize – to exclude (someone) from a society or group |
P
| Palatable – (of food or drink) pleasant to taste |
| Palliate – to make (a disease or its symptoms) less severe or unpleasant without removing the cause |
| Palpable – (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible |
| Panacea – a solution or remedy for all difficulties or diseases |
| Paradigm – a typical example or pattern of something; a model |
| Paradox – a seemingly absurd or self-contradictory statement or proposition that when investigated or explained may prove to be well founded or true |
| Paragon – a person or thing regarded as a perfect example of a particular quality |
| Pariah – an outcast |
| Parochial – having a limited or narrow outlook or scope |
| Parsimonious – unwilling to spend money or use resources; stingy or frugal |
| Pathos – a quality that evokes pity or sadness |
| Patronize – to treat in a way that is apparently kind or helpful but that betrays a feeling of superiority |
| Pejorative – expressing contempt or disapproval |
| Pernicious – having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way |
| Petulant – (of a person or their manner) childishly sulky or bad-tempered |
| Pithy – (of language or style) concise and forcefully expressive |
| Placate – to make (someone) less angry or hostile |
| Plaintive – sounding sad and mournful |
| Plethora – a large or excessive amount of something |
| Poignant – evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret |
| Polarize – to divide or cause to divide into two sharply contrasting groups or sets of opinions or beliefs |
| Polemic – a strong verbal or written attack on someone or something |
| Polyglot – knowing or using several languages |
| Ponderous – slow and clumsy because of great weight |
| Portend – to be a sign or warning that (something, especially something momentous or calamitous) is likely to happen |
| Precarious – not securely held or in position; dangerously likely to fall or collapse |
| Precocious – (of a child) having developed certain abilities or proclivities at an earlier age than usual |
| Predilection – a preference or special liking for something; a bias in favor of something |
| Preposterous – contrary to reason or common sense; utterly absurd or ridiculous |
| Presumptuous – (of a person or their behavior) failing to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate |
| Pretentious – attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed |
| Prevaricate – to speak or act in an evasive way |
| Profane – relating or devoted to that which is not sacred or biblical; secular rather than religious |
| Profound – (of a state, quality, or emotion) very great or intense |
| Prognosticate – to foretell or prophesy (an event in the future) |
| Prolific – (of a plant, animal, or person) producing much fruit or foliage or many offspring |
| Propensity – an inclination or natural tendency to behave in a particular way |
| Propitious – giving or indicating a good chance of success; favorable |
| Prosaic – having the style or diction of prose; lacking poetic beauty |
| Protean – able to change or adapt to different circumstances or able to do many different things |
| Prudent – acting with or showing care and thought for the future |
| Puerile – childishly silly and trivial |
| Pulchritudinous – physically beautiful |
| Punctilious – showing great attention to detail or correct behavior |
| Pungent – having a sharply strong taste or smell |
Q
| Quagmire – a soft boggy area of land that gives way underfoot; an awkward, complex, or hazardous situation |
| Quell – to put an end to (a rebellion or other disorder), typically by the use of force |
| Querulous – complaining in a petulant or whining manner |
| Quintessential – representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class |
| Quixotic – exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical |
R
| Rancor – bitterness or resentfulness, especially when long-standing |
| Rapacious – aggressively greedy or grasping |
| Raze – to completely destroy (a building, town, or other site) |
| Recalcitrant – having an obstinately uncooperative attitude towards authority or discipline |
| Recant – to say that one no longer holds an opinion or belief, especially one considered heretical or mistaken |
| Redolent – strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something |
| Redundant – not or no longer needed or useful; superfluous |
| Refute – to prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove |
| Relegate – to consign or dismiss to an inferior rank or position |
| Remonstrate – to make a forcefully reproachful protest |
| Repudiate – to refuse to accept or be associated with |
| Resilient – able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions |
| Resolute – admirably purposeful, determined, and unwavering |
| Respite – a short period of rest or relief from something difficult or unpleasant |
| Reticent – not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily |
| Retrograde – directed or moving backward |
| Rhetoric – the art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially the use of figures of speech and other compositional techniques |
| Rife – (especially of something undesirable or harmful) of common occurrence; widespread |
| Rigorous – extremely thorough, exhaustive, or accurate |
| Rueful – expressing sorrow or regret, especially when in a slightly humorous way |
| Ruminate – to think deeply about something |
S
| Salient – most noticeable or important |
| Sanguine – optimistic or positive, especially in an apparently bad or difficult situation |
| Sardonic – grimly mocking or cynical |
| Sartorial – of or relating to tailoring, clothes, or style of dress |
| Satiated – satisfied to the full; satiated |
| Scurrilous – making or spreading scandalous claims about someone with the intention of damaging their reputation |
| Sequester – to isolate or hide away (someone or something) |
| Serendipity – the occurrence and development of events by chance in a happy or beneficial way |
| Serene – calm, peaceful, and untroubled; tranquil |
| Sinister – giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen |
| Soporific – tending to induce drowsiness or sleep |
| Spurious – not being what it purports to be; false or fake |
| Stalwart – loyal, reliable, and hardworking |
| Staunch – loyal and committed in attitude |
| Stipulate – to demand or specify (a requirement), typically as part of a bargain or agreement |
| Stoic – a person who can endure pain or hardship without showing their feelings or complaining |
| Stolid – (of a person) calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation |
| Stratagem – a plan or scheme, especially one used to outwit an opponent or achieve an end |
| Stringent – (of regulations, requirements, or conditions) strict, precise, and exacting |
| Sublime – of such excellence, grandeur, or beauty as to inspire great admiration or awe |
| Subterfuge – deceit used in order to achieve one’s goal |
| Succinct – (especially of something written or spoken) briefly and clearly expressed |
| Supercilious – behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior to others |
| Supine – failing to act or protest as a result of moral weakness or indolence |
| Supplant – to supersede and replace |
| Surreptitious – kept secret, especially because it would not be approved of |
| Susceptible – likely or liable to be influenced or harmed by a particular thing |
| Sycophant – a person who acts obsequiously towards someone important in order to gain advantage |
T
| Taciturn – (of a person) reserved or uncommunicative in speech; saying little |
| Tantamount – equivalent in seriousness to; virtually the same as |
| Tawdry – showy but cheap and of poor quality |
| Tedious – too long, slow, or dull; tiresome or monotonous |
| Temerity – excessive confidence or boldness; audacity |
| Tenacious – tending to keep a firm hold of something; clinging or adhering closely |
| Tenuous – very weak or slight |
| Terse – sparing in the use of words; abrupt |
| Timorous – showing or suffering from nervousness, fear, or a lack of confidence |
| Tirade – a long, angry speech of criticism or accusation |
| Torpid – mentally or physically inactive; lethargic |
| Tortuous – full of twists and turns |
| Tout – to attempt to sell (something), typically by pestering people in an aggressive or bold manner |
| Transient – lasting only for a short time; impermanent |
| Trepidation – a feeling of fear or agitation about something that may happen |
| Trite – (of a remark, opinion, or idea) overused and consequently of little import; lacking originality or freshness |
| Truncate – to shorten (something) by cutting off the top or the end |
| Tumultuous – making a loud, confused noise; uproarious |
U
| Ubiquitous – present, appearing, or found everywhere |
| Unabashed – not embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed |
| Unilateral – performed by or affecting only one person, group, or country involved in a particular situation, without the agreement of another or the others |
| Unprecedented – never done or known before |
| Unscrupulous – having or showing no moral principles; not honest or fair |
| Unwarranted – not justified or authorized |
| Usurp – to take (a position of power or importance) illegally or by force |
| Utilitarian – designed to be useful or practical rather than attractive |
V
| Vacillate – to waver between different opinions or actions; be indecisive |
| Vacuous – having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence; mindless |
| Vehement – showing strong feeling; forceful, passionate, or intense |
| Verbose – using or expressed in more words than are needed |
| Vestige – a trace of something that is disappearing or no longer exists |
| Vex – to make (someone) feel annoyed, frustrated, or worried, especially with trivial matters |
| Vicarious – experienced in the imagination through the feelings or actions of another person |
| Vicissitude – a change of circumstances or fortune, typically one that is unwelcome or unpleasant |
| Vilify – to speak or write about in an abusively disparaging manner |
| Vindicate – to clear (someone) of blame or suspicion |
| Virtuoso – a person highly skilled in music or another artistic pursuit |
| Vitriolic – filled with bitter criticism or malice |
| Vivacious – attractively lively and animated |
| Vociferous – vehement or clamorous |
| Volatile – liable to change rapidly and unpredictably, especially for the worse |
| Voracious – wanting or devouring great quantities of food |
W
| Wary – feeling or showing caution about possible dangers or problems |
| Wayward – difficult to control or predict because of unusual or perverse behavior |
| Whimsical – playfully quaint or fanciful, especially in an appealing and amusing way |
| Wistful – having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing |
| Writhe – to make continual twisting, squirming movements or contortions of the body |
Z
| Zenith – the time at which something is most powerful or successful |
| Zealot – a person who is fanatical and uncompromising in pursuit of their religious, political, or other ideals |
| Zephyr – a soft, gentle breeze |
| Zest – great enthusiasm and energy |
| Zodiac – a belt of the heavens within about 8° either side of the ecliptic, including all apparent positions of the sun, moon, and most familiar planets |
| Zoology – the scientific study of the behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals |