GRE词汇精选：高频形近词(12)

GRE词汇精选：高频形近词(12)

111. causal / caustic

caustic: A caustic remark is extremely critical, cruel, or bitter. (FORMAL)

112. slight / blight / plight / delight

113. fret / flat / flag

fret: If you fret about something, you worry about it.

114. daunt / haunt / vaunt / flaunt / saunter / gaunt

daunt: If something daunts you, it makes you feel slightly afraid or worried about dealing with it.

vaunt: If you describe something as vaunted or much vaunted, you mean

that people praise it more than it deserves. (FORMAL)

flaunt: If you say that someone flaunts their possessions, abilities, or qualities, you mean that they display them in a very obvious way, especially in order to try to obtain other people's admiration.

saunter: If you saunter somewhere, you walk there in a slow, casual way.

gaunt: If someone looks gaunt, they look very thin, usually because they have been very ill or worried.

115. morbid / moribund / mordant

morbid: If you describe a person or their interest in something as morbid, you mean that they are very interested in unpleasant things, especially death, and you think this is strange.

moribund: If you describe something as moribund, you mean that it is in a very bad condition. (FORMAL)

mordant: Mordant humor is very critical and often mocks someone or something. (FORMAL)

116. tepid / torpid / turbid / turgid / timid / intrepid /

tepid: If you describe something such as a feeling or reaction as tepid, you mean that it lacks enthusiasm.

torpid: If you are torpid, you are mentally or physically inactive, especially because you are feeling lazy or sleepy. (FORMAL) (= lethargic)

turgid: If you describe something such as a piece of writing or a film as turgid, you think it is boring and difficult to understand.

timid: Timid people are shy, nervous, and have no courage or confidence in themselves.

intrepid: An intrepid person acts in a brave way.

117. proliferate / prolific / prolix / profligate

proliferate: If things proliferate, they increase in number very quickly. (FORMAL)

prolific: A prolific writer, artist, or composer produces a large number of works.

prolix: using too many words.

profligate: Someone who is profligate spends too much money or uses too much of something. (FORMAL)

118. doubtable / redoubtable

redoubtable: If you describe someone as redoubtable, you respect them because they have a very strong character, even though you are slightly afraid of them.

119. impair / repair

120. obtrude / obtuse

obtrude: When something obtrudes or when you obtrude it, it becomes noticeable in an undesirable way. (LITERARY)

obtuse: Someone who is obtuse has difficulty understanding things. (FORMAL)