Words worth knowing

to become less strong or intense

completely miserable and without hope or pride

to officially end a law, treaty, or agreement

sharp and harsh in a witty or critical way

the highest point of success or perfection

the protection, support, or sponsorship of a person or group

something that a person strongly dislikes or rejects

strong dislike or hostility

widely told but probably not true

with regard to; on the subject of

a person or group with the power to judge or settle disputes

strict and simple in lifestyle, without comforts or pleasures

extremely foolish or silly

to state firmly that something is true

to refuse or hesitate to do or accept something

to cause or bring about

a person or thing that protects or defends against danger

a small secret group plotting to gain power

a false statement made to damage someone's reputation

a false and unfounded report or story

unpredictable, with sudden changes of mood or behavior

the release of strong feelings, which brings relief

annoyance caused by disappointment or embarrassment

clever tricks used to deceive people

a closing section that ends a piece of music or a story

a collection of detailed information on a subject, usually in one book

a small group of trees growing close together

a small, close group of people with shared interests

to allow or approve of something

a brief, casual romance or involvement with something

a lack or shortage of something

harmful or damaging

a person who dabbles in an interest without serious study

extremely small

a loud, unpleasant noise that goes on and on

insincere, often by pretending to be innocent or open

amusing in a dry, odd, or understated way

shockingly bad and obvious

a tired, bored feeling from lack of interest

a gradual decline into disorder

lasting only a very short time

in the form of letters, or carried on by letter

a descriptive nickname or phrase attached to a name

made as a poor substitute for the real thing

former; belonging to an earlier time

very learned; full of great knowledge

to deliberately avoid or keep away from

extremely light and delicate, as if not of this world

still in existence; not destroyed or lost

silly and playful about serious matters, at the wrong time

too simple; not showing careful thought

a person employed to do all kinds of jobs

plowed but left without crops for a season so the soil can recover

very careful about detail, cleanliness, or accuracy

foul-smelling; stinking

an official order given by someone in authority

socially awkward and lacking good manners

a whole that is more than the sum of its parts

happy and peaceful, especially when remembering the past

a sign that something is coming

completely sealed so that no air can get in or out

overly dramatic and emotional, to get attention

excessive pride or self-confidence that leads to a fall

peculiar to one person; unlike anyone else's

dishonorable and shameful

just begun and not yet fully formed

very poor

too great or beautiful to be described in words

destructive to both sides within a group

on the move from place to place, especially for work

brief and to the point; sparing with words

a gap or missing part, as in a text or body of knowledge

generous giving of money or gifts

sexually immoral or without moral restraint

in between two stages, states or places

slim, flexible, and moving gracefully

foolishly sentimental, often in a tearful way

unpredictable, with sudden changes of mood

a person's look or manner, showing their mood or character

the social setting or environment a person lives in

a timid, weak person who is easily dominated

to trap in a difficult situation that is hard to escape

happy laughter and amusement

a person who behaves badly or breaks the law

to calm someone's anger or soothe their feelings

the customs and moral standards of a society

close to dying or coming to an end

countless; extremely many

a beginner or newcomer to a subject or activity

so surprised and confused that you don't know how to react

not direct or straightforward; hinting rather than stating

too eager to please or obey others

harsh public criticism and disgrace

apparently or supposedly, though perhaps not really

a perfect example of a particular quality

a lover, especially the secret lover of a married person

to reduce something by cutting away parts

extremely unwilling to spend money

the principle of choosing the simplest explanation that fits the facts

a quality that makes people feel pity or sadness

a small, unimportant fault or wrongdoing

of or about money

too concerned with small details and rules

on the move, never staying long in one place

harmful in a slow or hidden way

sulky and bad-tempered, like a spoiled child

to stir up interest or curiosity

wasteful with money or resources

too interested in sex, especially other people's

timid and cowardly; without courage

generally thought or assumed to be

noble and idealistic but wildly unrealistic

ordinary and part of everyday life

stubbornly uncooperative and hard to control

to tear something apart violently

most noticeable or important

cheerful and hopeful, even in a bad situation

of clothes and the way a person dresses

a person of great learning or special knowledge

pleasure taken in someone else's misfortune

a young member of a rich or powerful family

the luck of finding something good by chance

a person who promotes something while pretending to be neutral

deep, full, and rich in sound

seemingly right or true but actually false

false or fake, though made to seem genuine

extremely loud and booming

coldly haughty, as if everyone else were beneath you

flat on your back, face upward

an amount that is too large; an excess

a person who loves luxury and pleasure

a person who flatters powerful people to gain favor

a close relationship between two things that benefits both

understood without being openly stated

habitually quiet; inclined to say very little

showy but cheap and of poor quality

the state of being in someone's or something's power

small and unimportant

used so often that it seems dull and unoriginal

found or seen everywhere

the leading position in a movement or new development

green with grass or growing plants

the appearance of being true or real

to annoy or worry someone

an unexpected change in circumstances, often for the worse

strong, energetic, and manly

felt deeply in the body, as instinct rather than thought

deliberate and cruel, without any good reason

to sharpen or stir up a desire or interest

a heavy burden or harsh control that limits freedom